December 1924 - 100 Years Ago in "That Thriving Town"

 

Here's what life was like in Bovina 100 years ago this month – December 1924

December 5, 1924

• James Ackerley is employed at his trade as a carpenter at Delhi.

• Hilson Brothers have moved their wagon house across the brook onto the flat.

• Wilber Archibald has taken a position as cheese maker in the creamery at Meridale.

• Ralph Hillis, the garage man, is on the sick list.  His brother is in charge of the garage.

• Mrs. James Monroe has rented the furnished rooms of William F. Boggs in Bovina Center.

• Walter G. Coulter, town superintendent of highways, had the town machinery stored Wednesday for the winter.

• Born to Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Rockefeller, on the Alex Bryden farm back from Lake Delaware, November 4, a son – Silas T.

• Henry Monroe has purchased the farm of his father, the late James Monroe, in upper Bovina, and moved thereto Wednesday.

• Miss Caroline Dickson, who has a position with the American Educational Company, as a general agent, is with her mother for a vacation.

• Lloyd Strangeway, who now lives in Otsego county, collided with the side of the stone arch bridge just below the village.  His car was damaged to some extent.

• Professor Leon Taggart and family of Oneonta, Frank Dickson and family, of Little Delaware, and Mr. and Mrs. Thos C. Strangeway were dinner guests at John Hilson’s on Thanksgiving.

• In the estate of James Monroe letters have been issued to Henry F. and James W. Monroe. The estimate is $5,000 real and $6,000 personal. To Julia Monroe, wife, is willed one-third of the property; to Henry Monroe son and Martina Monroe, daughter, each five eighteenths, and to James Monroe one-ninth.

Born in Southern Bovina

William T. Brown, who was born in southern Bovina, died November 7 at his apartments in the Majestic Hotel, Chicago, where he had lived for over 20 years. The deceased was the youngest son of Thomas Brown and Mary Ann McNee, who lived on the Brown homestead, Bovina, later known as the Amos place and now part of the Gerry estate. Mr. Brown was 68 years of age and is survived by one sister, the wife of Rev. David Nicholl of Red Oak, Iowa. He was never married. 

December 12, 1924

• James Hilson has had a radio installed.

• Elmer Hastings, of Saranac, is visiting his brother, Milton Hastings.

• The three Missionary societies held an all day union meeting Thursday.

• Mr. and Mrs. Francisco were Sabbath guests of her brother, George Decker.

• Mrs. Decker, who had her hip injured by a fall a few weeks ago, is now improving.

• Margaret Austin, of Hawley’s Station, was a week end guest of her cousin, Mrs. James Ackerly.

• The neighbors and friends of Alex Burns gave him a post card shower on December 8, on his 76th birthday.

• Rev. O. Edgelow, rector of the St. James church, at Lake Delaware, has been visiting his son, Dr. Arthur Edge\low, at Springfield, Mass.

• Mrs. John McCune’s Sabbath School class, the Beacon Lights, were entertained at her home last Friday evening. All reported an enjoyable time.

• Captain J.E. Billings, superintendent of the Gerry farms at Lake Delaware, was operated on last week in the Roosevelt hospital for appendicitis.

• Mrs. John M. Miller and two daughters, of Walton and Mr. and Mrs. William Oliver, of Harpersfield, were here Tuesday to attend the funeral of Mrs. G.D. Miller.

• Paul Marvin Burgin, of Bovina and Miss Hazel Maud Shackelton, of Delhi, were married December 1. The bride is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Shackelton and has been employed as stenographer in the office of W.S. Oles. Mr. Burgin is employed by the Delhi Motor Sales Co. 

Rigged for Comfort

A.W. Baker, of Bovina, who will spend the winter in Florida, has had his Chevrolet truck rebuilt with a six foot wide body all covered, and will carry a bed and cooking utensils on the trip. 

DEATH CLAIMS BOVINA WOMAN – Mrs. G.D. Miller Passed Away About Noon Saturday

Mrs. Gilbert D. Miller of Bovina Center, died Saturday, December 6, from acute bronchitis, after a three weeks’ illness at the home of her sister-in-law, Mrs. A.S. Banker, in Andes.

Mrs. Miller was born near Bloomville in the town of Kortright, January 6, 1844, and was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Dickson Banker. On November 16, 1869, she was married to Gilbert D. Miller by the Rev. Gibson of South Kortright.

She is survived by her husband, Gilbert D. Miller; one sister, Mrs. Ellen Newell, of Highland Falls; and one brother, Henry Banker, of Marceline, Missouri.

The funeral was held Tuesday in the Bovina Center United Presbyterian church the Rev. F.N. Crawford officiating. Interment was made in the Bovina Center Cemetery. [Mrs. Miller was the former Mary Jane Banker.]

December 19, 1924

• Supervisor W.B. Smith is in Delhi this week attending the sessions of the Board.

• Mrs. Ella Telford is moving her household goods from William F. Bogg’s house to Delhi.

• From an oyster supper and sale held last week the Women’s Auxiliary of the St. James parish at Lake Delaware cleared $50.

• A surprise party was held last Friday evening at the U.P. Church parlors for Rev. and Mrs. F.N. Crawford, and a purse of $55 was presented to them. 

• Mrs. G.J. Dickson has received word that her son, Lauren Dickson, who is in a law office at Saratoga, successfully passed the bar examination, which he tried in October.

• John Redmond, the seven year old son of William R. Redmond, was hurried off to the hospital at Delhi Monday night and operated upon for appendicitis. The appendix had bursted, but he is doing as well as can be expected. 

December 26, 1924

• The students and teachers are home for the holidays.

• The community Christmas tree and exercises were held on Tuesday evening.

• Misses Kate and Fred Muller are visiting their sister, Mrs. Otis McCumber, in Andes

• Mrs. Marshall Thomson, of Long Island, is visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Blair.

• Miss Jane Archibald, daughter of Wm Archibald is ill. She retired in good health and all efforts to arouse her from sleep are futile. [She recovered and lived almost another sixty years, dying in September 1986 at the age of 86.]

• Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Gladstone celebrated the 56th anniversary of their marriage Dec. 22. His brother, Ed Gladstone and family took dinner with them.

• Miss Maggie Storie has gone to Hobart to spend the winter with her nephew, Eugene Storie. A couple of days before her departure about forty of her [friends paid her] a surprise visit.