This Day in Bovina for September 2025

 

Here's the monthly compilation of the daily entries on the Town of Bovina Historian Facebook page. 

This image of Paul Bellino was taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in 1940. Born in New York City in 1908, he came to Bovina as a child with his parents, Angelo and Rose Bellino, in 1915. They had the farm on Pink Street now owned by Hall Wilkie. Paul graduated from the Oneonta Normal School and in 1931 he was teaching in Oneonta. He was a veteran of World War II, enlisting in 1942. Paul died in 1999. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.  

Eighty-two years ago today, the September 2, 1943 Delaware Republican reported in its Bovina column that "Warren Sarle of Chicago is spending a few days with his father, Dr. W.C. Sarle, who recently submitted to an operation for cataracts." Dr. Sarle had been the doctor in Bovina since 1927. He left Bovina not long after the surgery and died in 1946. This sign is now at the Bovina Museum.  

147 years ago today, the September 3, 1878 issue of the Stamford Mirror had this item: Mr. M.N. Mitchell of Andes, was recently assaulted by a drunken constable from Bovina. Such officers of the law (?) ought to be under lock and key for a while."

125 years ago today, on September 4, 1900, Fred Bramley of Bovina, and Lucy Jackson, of Andes, were married at Delhi. The Andes Recorder noted that the "marriage occurred just ten months to the day after the death of his first wife." His first wife, Margaret, died in November 1899. They had been married for seven years and had two children, both who died young. His marriage to Lucy lasted 14 years until her death in 1914. They would have five children. Fred would marry a third time but waited nine years before marrying Christina Close in 1923. He would be widowed a third time when she died in 1943. He died the following year.

These are three postcard views of the same bridge - the old Scott Bridge which stood at the lower end of the Bovina Center hamlet. Built in the 1870s, it was demolished in 1955 after a modern replacement bridge was built. 

Thirty-nine years ago today, the September 6, 1986 issue of the Daily Star (Oneonta) carried this article by Diane Galusha about Hilson's Store.  

124 years ago today, the September 7, 1901 Delaware Republican had the following item of news ('borrowed' from the Andes Recorder): "Needle in Her Foot - For some time Mrs. Joshua Hobbie, who resides in the upper part of Bovina, has been suffering severely with swollen foot, it was thought she would have to go to the hospital and undergo an operation. Last week she was rubbing the afflicted member when she felt something sharp in the foot and called to others of the family and an examination showed that the point of a needle protruded and when pulled out by Mr. Hobbie it was found that with the exception of being broken at the eye the needle was intact. How the needle got there is a mystery, as Mrs. Hobbie has no recollection of ever running a needle into herself. She still has a very bad foot." This likely is Matilda Pangburn Hobbie. Born in 1862, she survived the needle and died in 1927.

101 years ago today, September 8, 1924, Hillis's garage in Bovina submitted this bill for $10.45 to the Town of Bovina for a tire and tube.  This garage later became Thomas's garage and is now owned by Tom Hetterich.  

Sixty years ago today, the Bovina column in the September 9, 1965 Delaware Republican-Express reported that "Mr. and Mrs. Robert Burns and older daughter, Amy, have been on a seashore vacation and other places of interest. Mrs. Jack Burns kept the baby in their absence." The baby was Colleen.

This chauffeur license image of Fred Desilva were taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in 1940. Chauffeur licenses were required for anyone driving for hire or as part of their job. Today this is known as a Class E license in New York.  Frederick Alexander DeSilva was born in Arena in 1909 and spent much of his childhood and early adulthood in Bovina.  He married Ethel Burgin in Bovina in 1934. Fred and Ethel have the distinction of being the only married couple to appear on the World War II Bovina Honor Roll. They moved to Hobart around 1946. Fred died in Stamford in 1976. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

Roxanna A. Hobbie, the three-year-old daughter of Joshua Knapp Hobbie and his wife Sarah, (also known as Sally) died 190 years today on September 11, 1835.  She is buried in the Bovina Cemetery. 

136 years ago today, the September 12, 1889 Hobart Independent had this item: "Archie Maynard, of Bovina, who has been roaming about this vicinity during the summer, and ' cutting up' peculiar capers, has been adjudged insane by a commission—which consisted of Dr. Buckley of Delhi, and Drs. McNaught & Odell of Hobart" The paper reported a few months later that Archie had returned to his home in Bovina. This is likely Archibald Maynard, son of Elisha B. Maynard and Jane McDonald. Born in 1860, he was living with his parents in 1900 in Stamford and listed as an invalid. By 1910, his census entry lists him with his widowed mother, working as a landscape painter, but two years later, he was examined by a commission and committed to the Binghamton State Hospital. He died there in 1927.

In 1946, Delhi photographer Bob Wyer took a series of aerial pictures around Bovina in a plane piloted by Eddie Davidson. This image is of Eddie's parent's home at Russell Hill Road and County Route 6. Fletcher and Lois Davidson bought the home in 1923. It is now the home of Bonnie and Ed Denison.  Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

Here's a postcard view of the Bovina United Presbyterian Church, likely dating from the early 20th century. Note the stone steps on the left and in the front of the church. These were for alighting from horse drawn carriages.  

On September 15, 1858, 163 years ago today, Rhoda Davis died in Andes.  As reported in the Bloomville Mirror on September 21, Mrs. Davis was the widow of Samuel Davis.  She was 88 years old at the time of her death.  The paper went on to report that "She was one among first settlers in Bovina.  Her exemplary life endeared her to all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance." She was born Rhoda Hilton around 1770 in Connecticut.

Seventy-two years ago today, on September 16, 1953, as later reported in the Catskill Mountain News, a school fair was held at the Bovina Center school. Here's the article which appeared on the front page of the paper. 

Fifty-seven years ago today, the September 17, 1968 Daily Star (Oneonta) included this photo and caption of the new barn being built by Jack and Bob Burns. The barn still is in use by Dominic and Laurie Gullow. 

In 1946, Delhi photographer Bob Wyer took a series of aerial pictures around Bovina in a plane piloted by Eddie Davidson. Farm on left now owned by Raymond Stewart, Jr, was purchased from William and Luise Sellhorn. The Sellhorns purchased the property in the late 1930s.  The property at one time was owned by Sloan Archibald.  The farm on right is that of Raymond's brother, Lester Stewart.  These farms are part of lot 108 of Great Lot 41 of the Hardenburgh Patent.  One section of this lot leased in 1834 for an annual rent of one shilling per acre paid to James Overing. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.   

124 years ago today, on September 19, 1901, a memorial service was held at the Bovina United Presbyterian church for recently assassinated U.S. President William McKinley.  As later reported in the Andes Recorder, the service was presided over by the church's pastor, Rev. Samson.  "Charles Arbuckle read the scripture lesson; Margaret Swart read the President's proclamation, and addresses were made by Rev. Slater, R.E. Bergman and Rev. Samson." Presidential Portrait by Harriet Anderson Stubbs Murphy

109 years ago today, September 20, 1916, Cecil Russell was married to Isabell Irvine. Here is the invitation to the wedding received by Henry Monroe and his sister Martena. 

In 1946, Delhi photographer Bob Wyer took a series of aerial pictures around Bovina in a plane piloted by Eddie Davidson. This image is of the Weber farm. It was owned by Mary Weber and still is in the Weber family today as Webcrest farm, operated by Ed and Donna Weber. The lower left is where Bovina Farm Day takes place each year. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

109 years ago today, September 22, 1916, the J.W. Coulter Hose Company had a ball game, a Chicken Pie supper and an entertainment in the evening to raise funds. The Bovina Fire Department still has a piece of equipment from the company. Images courtesy of Bovina Fire and EMS from the Town of Bovina Bicentennial Parade in July 2022.  

Seventy-two years ago today, a newspaper (unidentified) reported in its September 23, 1953 issue that "The first meeting for lessons in first aid was held at the fire hall Wednesday evening, Sept. 16, with 11 enrolled in this course. The beginners’ course will last for eight weeks and the advanced course will take another four weeks with meetings to be held once a week. This course is being taught by Earl Many and Harold Morse of Hobart. Those enrolled are Mrs. Floyd Aitkens, Mrs. Victor Rose, Mrs. John Renner, Mrs. Howard LaFever, Mrs. Leif Reinertsen, Mrs. Clifford Hall, Mrs. Norton Forrest, Mrs. Magdalena Rosa, Victor Rosa, Floyd Aitkens and George Storie."

Sixty-three years ago today, on September 24, 1962, Rema Hobbie died on the family farm on Cape Horn Road in Bovina. His obituary was published a few days later in the Catskill Mountain News. 

This chauffeur license image of Raymond Jardine was taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in the late 1930s. Chauffeur licenses were required for anyone driving for hire or as part of their job. Today this is known as a Class E license in New York. Raymond B. Jardine was born in 1900 in Bovina and died there at his home in 1962. He married Mary Hyzer in Franklin, NY in 1934 and had three children, Marian, Martha and Richard. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.  

Eliza Aitken, the 31-year-old wife of David Aitken, died 181 years ago today on September 26, 1844.  She is buried in the Old Reformed Presbyterian Church cemetery. A death notice appeared a few days later in the October 2, 1844 Delaware Gazette: "In this town, on the 26th ult., after a short but severe illness, which she bore with christian fortitude, Eliza Aitken, wife of David C. Aitken, aged 30 years, formerly of New York." Her husband died three years later.  

Seventy-eight years ago today, on September 27, 1947, the Delaware County Jersey Club held its second annual Consignment Sale at the Charles McPherson Farm in Bovina. This was later the farm of Frank and Stella McPherson. Here's the cover of the sales catalog. 

These images of Charlie McIntosh were taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Born in 1915, he lived most of his life in Bovina, dying in 1989. He married Eva Pindar in August 1943. Images courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.

Fifty-nine years ago today, the Bovina column in the September 29, 1966 Delaware Republican-Express reported that "The Recreation Club met last Thursday for a luncheon meeting. Officers elected for the coming year are: Chairman, Mrs. Stanley Hewitt, vice-chairman, Mrs. Alex Rabeler sr., secretary-treasurer, Mrs. William J. Storie." The same column also reported that "Mr. and Mrs. Howard LaFever and son Allan took their son John to Canton last weekend where he will enter college for his freshman year. They also visited Mrs. And Mrs. Benson LaFever at Massena."

130 years ago today, on September 30, 1895, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, people around Bovina woke up to snow covering Bramley Mountain and Mount Pisgah.

A Week with Bovina People - September 1900 - 125 Years ago from the Andes Recorder

Life in Bovina 125 years ago this month, as reported in the pages of the Andes Recorder:

September 7, 1900

• Miss Ella Lee went to Walton Saturday.

• John M. Miller and family were at Delancey on Sabbath.

• Walter Biggar, wife and daughter visited Delhi Saturday.

• Professor R. Eston Phyfe and wife were in town on Sabbath.

• Mrs. Richard Smith and Mrs. John G. Russell are visiting at Walton.

• A.T. Doig is having his store painted.  Alex Myers is doing the job. [This is now Russell's Store.]

• Mr. and Mrs. Gideon Miller visited his parents at Andes over Sabbath.

• Frank Gladstone and W.T. Hyzer were in this place Monday from Andes.

• John G. Russell and Miss Fannie Case were among those at Delhi Tuesday.

• Miss Anna M. Phyfe started Monday to resume her duties at Dogeville as teacher.

• John Thomson, of Downsville, was a guest of his brother, Elliott Thomson, over Sabbath.

• Mrs. James T. Hannon, of Oswego, is visiting her mother, Mrs. Martha Gillie at Lake Delaware.

• Miss Jennie J. Campbell has gone to Hobart to begin her duties as teacher in the High School there.

• At the Margaretville fair last week Dennis Brothers were awarded 35 first premiums and 8 second premiums out of a possible 43.

• Rev. Welch, of Oneonta, preached in the United Presbyterian church on Sabbath. Rev. Marvin Thompson will preach next Sabbath.

• Dennis Brothers are exhibiting their poultry at both the Delhi and Walton fairs this week, dividing their exhibit between the two.

• Among those who have been visiting at Hobart recently were Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Davidson, Miss Jennie Hoy and Miss Vessie Thomson.

• Mrs. Hurclerode and Miss Grace McLardie, who have been stopping at D.J. Miller’s, have returned to their home in Ohio. Miss Hurclerode remained. 

Fred Bramley, of Bovina, and Lucy Jackson, of Andes, were married at Delhi on Tuesday, September 4, by Rev. F.H. Seeley.  The marriage occurred just ten months to the day after the death of his first wife.

September 14, 1900

• Rev Samson has arrived home.

• William Archibald was at Delhi on Saturday.

• Thomas A. Oliver of Delhi was in town Tuesday.

• W.T. Armstrong was in town from Andes Friday.

• Adam Scott and wife were up from Delhi on Sabbath.

• Mr. and Mrs. Mulnix of Deposit were visitors here Monday.

• Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hinkley were seen in this place Tuesday.

• John Robertson, of Andes, is at present a guest of his son, Marion.

• Mrs. Alex. Hilson and Miss Jennie Archibald visited Andes Friday.

• Robert P. McIntosh, wife and child, of Delhi, were in town Tuesday.

• Born at Walton, September 6, to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Doig, twin sons.

• Rev. John H. Lee is visiting in this place and renewing old acquaintances.

• At the County fair last week Dennis Brothers took 31 premiums on their poultry.

• Misses Anna Phyfe and Libbie Thomson have entered Delaware Academy.

• Miss Jennie B. Hastings went to Oneonta Tuesday to enter the Normal School.

• Rev. Marvin Thompson preached in the United Presbyterian church on Sabbath.

• George McNair has gone to Binghamton where he expects to secure a position.

• Mr. and Mrs. Gilstie and Mrs. William Rogers were guests at Thomas Gordon’s Monday.

• A man has been in town from Chicago by the name of Follett, selling maps and school supplies.

• Among those who went to Oneonta Tuesday were Mr. and Mrs. G.D. Miller, Miss Belle J. Miller and John G. Russell.

• Alex. Hilson and wife, Mrs. Elmer Hastings, Mrs. W.G. McNee, John Oliver, wife and family took in the Oneonta fair Wednesday.

• Wednesday Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Close, Mr. and Mrs. Gideon Miller, Dr. Seacord, Howard McPherson and Peter McNair attended the Shavertown fair.

• Mrs. T.M. Slater returned Tuesday from Sterling Valley. A brother of Rev. Rob, a former pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian church, accompanied her.

• Isaac Samuels and James Knox were in town one day this week. Mr. Knox’s grandfather, Rev. James Douglas, preached in the old stone church at the Butt End.

• The show with moving pictures, etc. in the Methodist church Friday and Saturday evenings was a good one.  The receipts the first evening were $23 but we were unable to learn those for the second evening.  

September 21, 1900

• Gerry’s tally ho was here Tuesday.

• Thomas Miller was a Delhi Saturday.

• F.R. Coulter was over at Andes on Tuesday.

• William Maynard was home over Sabbath.

• David Currie was up from Delhi on Sabbath.

• Rev. John H. Lee went to Walton Saturday.

• W.C. Russell was down at Delhi the first of the week.

• Rev. Welch and family returned to Oneonta Saturday.

• Thomas A. Oliver, of Delhi, was in this place Saturday.

• William Bramley and wife, of Delhi, were in town Friday.

• Much damage was done to corn by a heavy frost here this week.

• Thomas Gordon and wife visited her parents at Fall Mills over Sabbath.

• E.T. Gerry and family are at their summer home at Livingstone’s Lake. [This is now Lake Delaware.]

• Mr. and Mrs. Walter A. Doig recently visited their daughter at DeLancey.

• Mr. and Mrs. John VanAikin, of Little York, are guests at John G. Thompson’s.

• At a ball game Saturday between Bovina and New Kingston played here the score stood 7 to 4 in favor of Bovina.

• Saturday Woodburn & Smyth erected a fine monument on the John W. Bramley plot in the Bovina Centre cemetery.  

• Mrs. Samson’s and Miss Jennie E. Miller’s Sabbath School classes held a picnic Saturday at the David Miller house below the village.

• F.R. Coulter is preparing to build a new wagonhouse to take the place of the one recently destroyed by fire. W.S. Boggs has the contract.

September 28, 1900

• James Gladstone was in town Saturday.

• W.R. Miller was over at Andes On Wednesday.

• Hamilton J. Hewitt was seen in this place on Saturday.

• Miss Jen Campbell was home from Hobart over Sabbath.

• Verne DuMond, of New Kingston, visited this place Monday.

• Thomas Hutson and Walter Scott, of Delhi, were here Friday.

• Alex. Hilson and Albert Butts were at the County Seat Tuesday.

• John M. Miller and wife, and Michael Miller visited Delhi Tuesday.

• Andrew Russell and wife arrived in town Saturday from Oneonta.

• The old veterans were at Stamford attending the reunion Thursday.

• F. R. Coulter and Will Armstrong were over at Bloomville Tuesday.

• James Hastings and wife, G.D. Miller and wife were at Delhi Tuesday.

• Mark Gerowe, the Bloomville beekeeper, was in this village Tuesday.

• Mrs. Andrew Anderson, of Andes, was a guest here the latter part of last week.

• Charles Kaufman, of Margaretville, and Mrs. T.S. Miller, of Andes, were here on Monday.

• James G. Seath and Mr. and Mrs. James Boyd were at Andes Tuesday to attend the funeral of Mr. Seath’s mother. 

• Communion services were held in the Reformed Presbyterian church on Sabbath, with preparatory services on Friday.

• Among those in this place on Sabbath were, Mr. and Mrs. Jas F. Scott, of Delhi, Lon Cooper and family, of Scotch Mountain, Thomas Thompson, of Bloomville, and Freemont Oliver, of DeLancey. 

Bovina and the American Revolution - Samuel Ludington (1744-1814)

The oldest Revolutionary War grave in Bovina, at least a marked one, is that of Samuel Ludington. We don’t know a lot about him, partly because he never applied for a pension. He died before the pension process began in 1818. 

He was born in Branford, Connecticut in 1744 and married Ruth Galpin in 1766. In 1775, he joined Captain William Douglas’ company, General Wooster’s 1st regiment of the Connecticut militia, serving as a private. Samuel and Ruth would spend the bulk of their lives in the New Haven area of Connecticut. They came to what later became Bovina around 1810, to live with their son, Henry. Samuel died in 1814. His widow survived him until 1831. Their son Henry died 11 years later, having drowned in the West Branch of the Delaware River just below Sherwoods. He is buried in Bovina too.

An interesting footnote to Samuel’s story is that of his niece, Sybil. Sybil is known as the female Paul Revere. In 1777, when she was 16, she is supposed to have ridden 40 miles from her home in New York (near Danbury) through Putnam County to alert militiamen under the command of her father Colonel Henry Ludington, that the British had landed and were marching to Danbury. It’s a wonderful story that probably is not true. There’s no evidence any such ride took place. Information from the time about the subsequent battle indicates that the people in Danbury were already aware that the British were coming. But Sybil was commemorated in a US Postage stamp in 1975 and still is remembered in Putnam County, where she is buried.

There is a wikipedia entry for Sybil Luddington at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sybil_Ludington with further information about her and the debate about her famous ride. 

September 1925 - 100 Years Ago in "That Thriving Town"

Life on the streets of Bovina 100 years ago this month from the pages of the Andes Recorder: 

September 4, 1925

• Mary Chase, of Endicott, is a guest at James Mabon’s.

• Mrs. A.T. Doig is visiting her brother, E.F. Thomson, at Walton.

• Mrs. A.S. Banker and G.D. Miller are spending a few days with her people at Pine Hill.

• Attorney Lauren Dickson, of Binghamton, is spending a week at the Dickson home here.

• Robert Scott, a native of Bovina, died at Jamacia, Long Island, September 1, at the age of 82 years.

• Misses Margaret Archibald and Jeannette Forman, of Delhi, spent over the week end with Bovina relatives.

• Miss Jane Archibald, who is attending business school at Poughkeepsie, spent a few days with her parents last week. 

• Ralph Barnhart moved this week to the house in the upper part of Bovina Center, purchased recently of Charles Russell.

• Mr. and Mrs. Thos C. Strangeway are spending a few days at the home of their son-in-law, Professor Leon Taggart, at Oneonta.

• Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Burns and family, of Kingston, are spending the week with his father, J.D. Burns and his brother and sister.

• Lester Hoy moved this week from Delhi and took possession of the farm which he recently purchased of his father, William A. Hoy. [This is now the home of Tim and Tamara McIntosh.]

• Millard Blair, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Blair, was married September 1, at Seattle, Washington. The newly weds are enroute east on a wedding trip. [His new wife was Octavia Mescher.]

• The Bovina town picnic was held on Thursday of last week.  Addresses were made by Attorney Ernest Bergman, of New York, and H.W. Harper of Walton.

September 11, 1925

• Miss Caroline Dickson teaches this year at Rutland, Vermont. 

• Mrs. James Monroe has moved to rooms in part of Geo S. Mable’s house at Delhi.

• Miss Emily Archibald has gone to teach on Lake Champlain the present school year.

• A young son of Harrison Hall on the Soper farm, is ill with what is feared is infantile paralysis. [I'm not sure which child this is. Harrison was the father of Harold and Clifford, who both lived in Bovina, but he had several other children.]

• Misses Jane Hilson and Mary Flansburg have gone to East Orange, N.J. where they will teach the coming year.

• The Bovina Center school opened on Tuesday with Gilbert Banker as principal, and Miss Edith Liddle primary teacher.

• Miss Jenet Laidlaw has entered the Cortland Normal School and Helen Gladstone goes to the Oneonta Normal School.

• William Crosier will dispose of his household goods and go to Steubenville, Ohio, and make his home with his son. [He would spend the rest of his life there, dying in Ohio in 1931.]

• A goodly number of the friends of Mr. and Mrs. William J. Storie made them a surprise visit at their home below the village, the occasion being the tenth anniversary of their marriage.

• S.F. Ferris, of Albany, was here over the week end, and Mrs. Ferris and child, who have been spending the summer here, returned home with him. Mrs. Ferris will be remembered as Bessie Boggs.

Native of Bovina

Mrs. William Yeoman died at the home of her son, W.B. Yeoman, at Pines, near Walton, August 30, aged 86, of a shock of apoplexy. Her maiden name was Hannah Elizabeth Dibble. She was born in the town of Bovina and was the daughter of Thomas and Nancy Dibble. She married the late William Yeoman May 8, 1855, and spent her married life in the town of Delhi, removing with her son and family to Walton three years ago. She is survived by the son, W.B. Yeoman, a daughter, Mrs. J.S. Williams of Delhi, two grandchildren, Dr. F.D. Landon of Great Barrington, Mass., and Mrs. C.H. Millspaugh of Middletown, also one sister, Mrs. Walter Hammond of Delhi. 

September 18, 1925

• Mrs. William T. Miller underwent an operation at the hospital in Delhi on Tuesday.

• Miss Hannah Coulter has returned from visiting her sister and other relatives in New Kingston.

• Mrs. Wilber Archibald commenced her duties Monday as teacher in the high school at Fleischmanns.

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

• Rev. W.C. Samson, a former pastor, will be present at a weeks’ meetings at the U.P. church, opening on October 6.

• The truck of Milton Hastings went to Syracuse this week, taking Junior Project work for Delaware county to the State fair.

• Millard Blair and bride, of Seattle, Washington, arrived in Bovina last Saturday to visit his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Blair.

• A heavy storm of rain accompanied by a high wind, passed over Bovina on Saturday evening and numerous trees were blown down.

• Miss Mary Thomson, of South Kortright, is at the home of her brother, Elliott Thomson. As executor of the estate of William M. Johnston, she has sold the farm at South Kortright and the new owner is in possession.

Severely Burned

Saturday a girl employed in the kitchen at the summer home of Robert L. Gerry in southern Bovina, was very severely burned while singeing a chicken.

September 25, 1925

• Miss Mary Thomson has been at Oneonta a few days the past week.

• Miss Margaret Gordon went to Albany this week to enter the Teachers College.

• William S. Gordon returned to his studies at Pratts Institute in Brooklyn this week.

• Mrs. Mary Gordon went to Delhi on Thursday to care for Miss Sarah Dean an aged woman.

• The school fair for the town of Bovina was held Wednesday. The exhibits were very fine.

• Miss Hannah Dumond, of Stamford, was a recent guest at Jas Ackerley’s and Fred Thomson’s.

• William Archibald has been having his residence at the stone arch bridge treated to a new dress of white.

• J.D. Burns and daughter, Mrs. Howard McPherson, and MRs. Fred Thomson were at Oneonta on Tuesday.

• Benson LaFever has moved from the tenant house on James Boggs’ farm up-town, to part of their house in the upper part of Bovina Center.

• Miss Margaret Downie, daughter of the late Thomas Downie, formerly of Bovian, died September 17, at Cleveland, Ohio, where she was a teacher in the public schools.

• Kester Signor, well known here, and who some time ago sustained a broken leg in an automobile accident near Penton, has gone to New York to have the leg attended too.

• Bovina real estate transfers recorded are Henry G. Bramley to Elizabeth Bramley, $1; Chas J. Russell and wife to Ralph Barnhart $1; Wm. A. Hoy and wife to Lester T. Hoy $1.

• The friends of Mr. and Mrs. Millard Blair gave them a surprise party on Friday evening. Mr. and Mrs. Blair left Tuesday to return to their home in Seattle, Washington, going via New York and Virginia.

• Rev. D. D.H. Elliott, general secretary of the Forward Movement of the Covenanter church in United States, opened a series of evangelistic meetings in the R.P. church Wednesday evening. R.A. Steetlet, of Pittsburg, will lead the praise services.

Hand Injured

Jay Waterman, who is employed on the Gerry estate at Lake Delaware, had his hand caught in a clay pigeon trap last week. The tendons of one finger were severed and he was at the Delhi hospital a few days for treatment. 

This Day in Bovina for August 2025

Here's the compilation of the postings from August 2025 on the Town of Bovina Historian Facebook page:

106 years ago today, the August 1, 1919 Catskill Mountain News reported that "there is being planned the Bovina annual Community Picnic for the last Thursday of August. This fact has been announced in the churches." The paper went on to report that "Efforts will be made to secure a good speaker, and there may be a band to furnish music. There will be a formal program of speech in the morning, then a picnic dinner, then a number of athletic events to shake down the dinner, also a ball game." The event did take place as planned and was a success.  

Ninety-five years ago today, August 2, 1930, this article appeared in the Binghamton Press.  Gilbert D. Miller was Bovina's last surviving Civil War veteran.  He would die a few months later on March 13, 1931.  

Two hundred years ago today, August 3, 1820, this receipt was issued for $2.25 for payment from the town supervisor to the poor master, David Thomson. 

This postcard view of the Bovina Center school is postmarked 1910. The postcard, as were many postcards before World War I, was printed in Germany. It is a black and white image with the color added by the printers. From everyone I can tell, this schoolhouse was never painted red. The postcard was sent to Ethel Harrington. Ethel later married Stanley Bussy. He died in 1955. Ethel married again in 1965 to Andrew Coulter, who died in 1980. Ethel died in 1984.  

Fifty-eight years ago today, on August 5, 1967, Fred Ganger died unexpectedly at his home in Delhi. A native of Germany, he had a farm for a number of years on Cape Horn Road before retiring to Delhi. This chauffeur license image of Fred Ganger was taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy around 1940. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

Sixty-one years ago today, August 6, 1964, as later reported in the Bovina column of the Delaware Republican Express, “Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rabeler and her mother, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Rabeler, and two daughters, Richard Jardine and sister Martha, and Tanya Lay took the bus from Delhi to the World’s Fair at New York….."  

116 years ago today, on August 7, 1909, the barn of William H. Maynard burned down. I believe this farm was about a mile off Cape Horn Road and was once the Warren Farm. The foundations of the farm still exist. Here's the news article about the dramatic fire from the August 12, 1909 Binghamton Press and Sun Bulletin: 

130 years ago today, August 8, 1895, there was a 'theft' at the home of Rev. Hayes. It was briefly reported in the Andes Recorder: "At the reception at Rev. Hayes' last Thursday evening someone borrowed two cakes."

This picture of Fletcher and Lois Davidson comes from the Davidson family and probably dates from the late 1960s, after Lois had a stroke. She lived a number of years after the stroke, dying in 1976. Lois and Fletcher were married in 1921 in Bovina. Lois would have seven children, four of whom made it to adulthood. 

198 years today, on August 10, 1827, George Laidlaw was born in Scotland, the son of David Laidlaw and Helen Knox Hart.  He came to America as a child and married Janet Hume in Delhi.  They would have five children.  George died at the age of 49 in 1877 and is buried in Bovina. He was the grandfather of long-time Bovina town clerk Margaret Hoy.

 

127 years ago today, on August 11, 1898, the Board of Railroad Commissioners of the State of New York held a public hearing on the application of the Delaware Railroad Company to lay a railroad from Delhi to Andes, with a spur to Bovina.  Here's the Public Notice as published in the August 6 Delaware Republican.  And there are a series of entries in the Bovina NY History blog, starting with March 5, 2011, about this most serious attempt to get a railroad into Bovina: https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2011/03/when-trains-almost-came-i-everything.html  

Seventy-eight years ago today, the Bovina column in the August 12, 1943 Delaware Republican reported that "Miss Kate Birdsall, who is in nurses' training at Vassar Hospital, Poughkeepsie, is home on vacation." She likely also was home for the wedding of her cousin, Catherine Banuat. The same column reported that Marjorie Russell gave a shower in honor of Catherine. Here's a picture of Catherine on her wedding day with her bridesmaids, including Marjorie on the right. Image courtesy of the Hilson family.  

This image of Archibald Phyfe came from an album of photos kept by James Ormiston. Archibald was James brother-in-law. He was born in Bovina in 1848, the son of John Phyfe and Matilda Loughran. He married Mary Ormiston in 1875. They had two daughters, Anna and Bertha. Mary died in 1885. Archibald continued to live in the family house in Bovina with his sister Sarah keeping house and helping to raise his children. More about Archibald Phyfe is on the Bovina NY History Blog at https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2011/02/dangers-of-coal-gas.html  

Seventy-two years ago today, August 14, 1953, this photograph was taken of the "Beacon Lights" Sunday School class. The class met to hold a surprise party for Mrs. William J. Storie in honor of 25 years teaching the class. The class held a program on the theme 1928, including a history in photographs, popular songs and a fashion parade. Unfortunately, this is the best quality copy I have of the photo. If anyone has one that is better, I'd love to know. Front:  Elizabeth Mabon, Marion McPherson, Marian Spear, Vera Storie, Mary Burgin, Helen Hall; Second: Stella McPherson, Marjorie Walley, Ruth McGowan, Eleanor Archibald, Bea Thompson, Helen Burns, Dorothy Russell, Margaret McPherson, Marjorie Russell, Celia Coulter, Grace Roberts, Helen McDivitt; Third:  Helen Forrest, Mrs. Stanley McMaster, her guest from Canada, Leona LaFever, Gladys Lay, Laura LaFever, Helen Tyrrell, Gladys Doig, Doris Rabeler, Margaret Gordon, Rae Vandenbord

137 years ago today, on August 15, 1888, Mr. Frank Armstrong of Bovina was married to Mrs. Mary Brown of Colchester. It was his second marriage. His first was to Jeanette Burns, who died in 1885. His second wife died in Bovina in 1911. Frank would get married for a third time, marrying Mary E. Niesh. He would be widowed a third time when that Mary died in 1924. Frank died in 1925. Mary Brown's history is interesting. She came into the marriage with a son, James Franklin Brown. His father is unknown. James married a Coulter and had several children, including Mary Brown, who married Edwin "Ted" Burgin. Here's a framed certificate commemorating Frank and Mary's marriage. 

Seventy-three years ago today, on August 16, 1952, as later reported in the Catskill Mountain News, "An amateur show for the benefit of the Bovina library was held … at the Community hall. It was directed by George Duphily. Twelve others took part. There were selections of music, songs and two movies. About 75 were in attendance for which a nice sum was realized. Much credit is due Mr. Duphily and others who helped to make it a success."

These images of Don Boggs were taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in 1937/38 and in 1940. Donald Coulter Boggs was born in 1907 in Bovina, the son of J. Russell Boggs and Margaret Ann Coulter. He married Winona Bowen in 1929. They spent their early years on a farm on Reinertsen Hill Road and later moved to Corinth, NY with their three children. He died there in 1986 (his wife died in 2006). McMurdy   1937-38_001, 1940_001 and two Bov Ctr Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.

132 years ago today, the following item appeared in the August 18, 1893 Andes Recorder - "Bovina is noted for its great butter - pure Jersey butter that is a strong competitor of Elgin [Illinois], and is growing in favor with the butter men every year.  A correspondent says: 'When we were young 100 pounds of butter per cow was a fair average; now from 300 to 400 pounds per cow does not satisfy the Bovina dairyman.  We expect, if they keep on grading their stock, by the time of the next centennial the Bovina cow will be giving butter instead of milk.'"

The Seventh Annual Coulter Family Reunion was held 100 years ago today on August 19, 1925 at three residences in Bovina Center, George Russell's (the Robson House), James Thomson's (the Pelletier house) and Harvey C. Burgin's (the Jason and Lisa Stanton house).

113 years ago today, August 20, 1908, the Bovina Cooperative Creamery Company issued this account for the estate of W.L. White. White had died in January 1907. This was known as the 'uptown' creamery. It closed in the 1920s/30s and was demolished in the 1960s. 1908-08-20 Bovina Coop Creamery acct

 

142 years ago today, the August 21, 1883 Stamford Mirror reported in its Bovina column that "Coulter Bros. have taken their portable sawmill to Shavertown to do a large job of sawing at that place."

123 years ago today, on August 22, 1902, the Bovina Fortnightly Club held an entertainment.

155 years ago today, the August 23, 1870 Bloomville Mirror carried this plea concerning the post office in Brushland: 

Ninety-nine years ago today on August 24, 1926, William Gavett of Delhi, was severely scalded by steam Tuesday while employed at the Bovina Center Co-operative Creamery. 

114 years ago, the August 25, 1911 Bovina column of the Andes Recorder included the following item: "Robert Graham, who went to Canada in the sixties, is visiting relatives in town. In his younger days he was a teacher and went to Canada to teach because wages were much better there. His last visit here was 25 years ago." Graham, born in Scotland in 1830, died in Canada in December 1925.

The descendants of David, William and Berry Miller held their annual reunion 101 years ago today (August 26, 1924). The reunion was held at Belle Miller's (now Amy Burns' and Tom Lamport's house across from Russell's Store). Later newspaper reports said that about 75 people were present but that "several families were not represented."

In 1946, Delhi photographer Bob Wyer took a series of aerial pictures around Bovina in a plane piloted by Eddie Davidson. This is an image of the Jim Boggs farm, which is on Boggs Road, not far off Bovina road and near the Maynard School. The farm belonged to Jim's father, Thomas Boggs. Jim had the farm until his passing in 1972. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

Ninety-seven years ago today, on August 28, 1928, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, Bovina resident "Miss Caroline Dickson arrived home…from her European trip. Her sister, Mrs. Curran accompanied her here." Caroline had left for Europe on July 6. She had arrived back in New York harbor two days before on the "Carona," which had left from LeHavre on August 18. This is the passenger list from the Carona, downloaded from Ancestry.com, showing her listing. 

117 years ago today, August 29, 1908, the Hobart Independent carried this report concerning the railroad coming to Bovina. This wasn't the first attempt, but it was almost the last. The interest that was so strong when the major attempt took place in 1898 had waned considerably as the automobile came into being. 

144 years ago today, the Bovina column in the August 30, 1881 Stamford Mirror reported that "Quite a number of our farmers have finished their oat harvests." The same paper also reported that "Rev. J.B. Lee has purchased a horse."

 

164 years ago today, on August 31, 1861, Alphonzo Lee died at the age of 54. As later reported in the Delaware Gazette, Lee was "respected and esteemed among those with whom he had business or social relations. Kind and indulgent as a husband and father, accommodating as a neighbor, and benevolent as a man and christian, his memory will long be held dear by those who have enjoyed his acquaintance and friendship." Lee was born in Connecticut in 1807 and came to Bovina likely in the 1820s.