This Day in Bovina for May 2025

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

These images of Cecil and Charles Russell and their wives come from the Russell family. Charles Russell was born in Bovina in 1890, Cecil a year later in 1891. They were two of the sons of Robert Hamilton Russell and Margaret A. Doig. Charles married Hildreth Tuttle in 1915. A year later, Cecil married Isabell Irvine. Each brother would have one child - both children were born in Bovina. Marjorie was born to Cecil and Isabell in 1918. Charles and Hildreth's son Allyn was born in 1920. The two brothers would die about a year and a half apart - Charles in 1980, Cecil in early 1982.

Sixty-seven years ago today, the May 2, 1958 Daily Star carried an article about one of the last one-room schools in Bovina, the Maynard School. Go to the Bovina NY History Blog at https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2016/06/scholars-in-century-old-schoolhouse.html

138 years ago today, the May 3, 1887 Stamford Mirror in its Bovina column had this item: "Alex Hilson has bought D.C. [Champ] Worden's farm of 55 acres, at $2800. D.C. Worden has bought Ira J. Worden's place, containing 34 acres at $1900. Ira has rented Mrs. Ellen Boyd's house and lot in Bovina Centre and proposes to run a livery business." Ira Worden was the father of Champ Worden. Ellen was Champ's sister-in-law.

This image of some Coulter family members came from the collection of the late Celia Coulter. On the back was this information from Celia: "L to R Mary Rotermund Coulter, Herman Rotermund, her cousin who lived in Margaretville, Ella Rotermund Bennett, her sister who came from Cal. In 1923 to spend the summer, driver for the Rotermunds, Margaret Coulter Boggs, Adelaid (Addie) Russell Cowan, Mrs. Rotermund. I'm not sure when Aunt Addie married Uncle Tom Cowan, though if I search enough, I could find a postcard she sent while on her honeymoon in N.Y. You will recognize the barn, now Agnes Burns.'" Thomas Cowan married Addie Coulter in 1924. The image was taken on what is now the Dominic and Laurie Gullow farm. 

Seventy years ago today, the Bovina column in the May 5, 1955 Stamford Mirror-Recorder included this item: "Marshall Thomson resigned his position in the Bovina Creamery on May 1. Marvin Archibald is now employed in the creamery here."

139 years ago today, the May 6, 1886 issue of the Andes Recorder in its Bovina column reported that "Thomas H. Johnson has added to his extensive machinery a new loom of an improved pattern, which is probably the best one in the county.  He and his sons are capable of doing a large amount of work with the machinery at their command. They not only make all kinds of woolen cloth, but grind feed, saw lumber, etc." This would have been for Johnson's Woolen Mill, which was located near the Mountain Brook area. 

 

112 years ago today, the May 7, 1913 Delaware Gazette had this item concerning a possible railroad coming to Bovina yet again: "The recent visit to Andes of R. B. Williams and Jos. Jermyn of Scranton, has made people in that vicinity wonder if Jermyn & Williams are still interested in the extension of the Andes branch [of the railroad] to Bovina and possibly to Delhi. Surveyor Howland informed us a few years ago that when the branch was built it was the intention of the company to extend it to Bovina, and that was why the road went into Andes village at such a high grade, in order to strike the road bed of the defunct Andes & Delhi R. R."

Ninety-nine years ago today, on May 8, 1926, the town clerk certified that a resolution was adopted authorizing the issuance of a Certificate of Indebtedness to allow for the purchase of a stone raking machine. 

123 years ago today, the Bovina column in the May 9, 1902 Andes Recorder reported that "Three butcher carts now come round with meat – Perry Shaw, of Bloomville, William McDivitt, of Andes, and Ward Coulter, of this place."

This image of Hugh McPherson was taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in the late 1930s. Hugh was born in Bovina in 1912. He was the road commissioner in Bovina for many years, then worked for the New York State Department of Transportation. He was a member of the Bovina Fire Department. Hugh died in 1998. Hugh was the father of Ruth Ann Avery and Sandra Cole. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

This postcard image from the 1960s showing the view from Pink Street of Bovina Center was taken by Bob Wyer. 

Eighty-five years ago today, on May 12, 1940, as later reported in the Delaware Republican's Bovina column reported that "Mr. and Mrs. Sylvan LaFever of Florida were here and attended Church." This likely was Sylvan's last visit to Bovina for a month later on June 10, he died in Patterson, New Jersey. Sylvan was my great grandfather.

Eighty-two years ago today, the May 13, 1943, the Bovina column of the Delaware Republican carried this item: "Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Ormiston and sons John and Mark were with his mother and brother and sisters Marjorie, Lois Davidson and Ruth Monroe and their families on Mother's Day."

136 years ago today, the May 14, 1889 Stamford Mirror reported in its Bovina column that "The family of John W. Bramley has been quarantined the past week, but Mr. B. thought this was 'free America,' and went to Delhi regardless of the Board of Health. There is some talk of enforcing the law."

149 years ago today, on May 15, 1876, Isaac Atkin died. His death was later reported in the Delaware Gazette under the title "Sudden Death in Bovina." The paper noted that "Atkins, after working on his farm…until near night, started to go for the cows, and was shortly after found by his son, dead in the road." Isaac was a lifelong resident of Bovina.

Sixty years ago today, on May 16, 1965, Lib Blair passed away. Born Elizabeth Jannette Miller in 1867, she was the daughter of John Thomas Miller and Nancy Armstrong. She was two years old when her mother died. A year later, her father remarried to Eleanor Thompson. Lib married John W. Blair in 1889 - he died in 1945. She had two children, son Millard and daughter Helen. Lib was 97 when she died. Her daughter Helen would exceed her mother's age by a decade, dying at 107 in 1997.

135 years ago today, the Bovina column of the May 17, 1890 Delaware Republican reported that "Our milliners have returned from the city with a large stock of head-gear, and now they are busy day and night rigging out the ladies with that mysterious ornament which adorns their top-knots. If a woman's bonnet is not a thing of beauty, it is a mysterious thing."

Sixty-four years ago today, the May 18, 1961 Bovina column in the Delaware Republican Express included this item: "At the local contest for beauty queen at Dairyland Festival, there were eight contestants. The winner was Reneta Rabeler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Rabeler jr. She is a student of South Kortright Central School."

In 1946, Delhi photographer Bob Wyer took a series of aerial pictures around Bovina in a plane piloted by Eddie Davidson. This image shows Angelica Gerry's mansion, Ancrum, which was built in 1928. The road at the upper left is Route 28. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.  

140 years ago today, the May 20, 1885 Delaware Gazette carried this notice for the construction of a new schoolhouse at Lake Delaware. 

Fourteen years ago today, on May 21, 2011, Marge and Cliff Burgin celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary at the Bovina Community Hall. 

129 years ago today, the Bovina column in the May 22, 1896 Andes Recorder reported that "Slight showers have brightened up vegetation this week, but much more rain is still needed."

Seventy-two years ago today, the May 23, 1953 Stamford Mirror-Recorder had several items in its Bovina column. Headlined "Vacation Trip has Mishap for Jane Hilson," the column went on to report that "Jane Hilson broke her arm while on a vacation trip through the southern states." The column also included two items about Floyd Aitkens: "Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Aitkens and sons, Billy and Alan, were in Binghamton on Monday for a check-up on Billy's arm." The column later reported that "Floyd Aitkens attended the New York State Bowling Tournament at Rochester on Saturday."

Ninety years ago today, the May 24, 1935 Delaware Express reported that "Dr. Whitcomb Dies in Egypt." The articled noted that "Dr. Norris B. Whitcomb, 47, a beloved physician who was formerly located in Bovina Center and for the past sixteen years a medical missionary at Assuit, Egypt, died last week, death, according to report being due to blood poisoning." He was survived by his mother, sister, wife and two children. He was buried in Egypt, though there is a memorial stone for him in the Walton Cemetery. 

Eighty-six years ago today, the May 25, 1939 issue of the Delaware Republican published this photograph by R.R. DeGelleke of Jack Hilson in his High School shop class. 

114 years ago today, the May 26, 1911 Andes Recorder in its Bovina column reported that "Monday was the hottest May day ever known here - 95 degrees." The same column also reported that "Miss Helena Strangeway is visiting her sister, Mrs. Leon Taggart, at Potsdam."

This 'birds eye' view of Bovina Center is on a postcard with a 1908 postmark. The image was taken just east of the hamlet above Pink Street. 

110 years ago today, the May 28, 1915 Catskill Mountain News carried this item under the title "Bovina Center to Celebrate:" "There was a meeting of public-spirited men in Bovina Center during the past week, in the interest of a ball team, a tennis club, and a Fourth of July celebration."

113 years ago today, the May 29, 1912 Delaware Gazette carried the following item: "Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Gerry have been at Lake Delaware for a few days. The erection of a very fine mansion, on the farm he recently purchased, the making of a lake of considerable size, and the building of a new chapel and boys summer home requires careful supervision, and he is neglecting nothing that may make it not only an ideal summer home, but also ideal for all of the other purposes that they have in view." These two images, taken by Edna Benedict, show Aknusti under construction. Images courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

This image of Lauren Hewitt was taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in the early 1940s (misspelled as Loren on the negative). Born in 1917, he would die tragically in a tractor accident on his farm on Mountain Brook in February 1956, leaving behind a wife and three children. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.  

Thirty years ago today, the May 31, 1995 Catskill Mountain News reported that a 'Twister' had hit Bovina Center. Here's the article: 

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

Life in Bovina 125 years ago this month from the pages of the Andes Recorder.

May 4, 1900

• Oliver Dickson was at Delhi Monday.

• George McNair went to Andes Saturday.

• W.J. Doig has sold a horse to Stephen Craft.

• Peter McNair and A.O. Butts have traded horses.

• Walter Biggar visited the County Seat Monday.

• David Oliver visited his sons at Delancy Monday.

• John Blair went to New York this week with stock.

• Fred Bramly and Lucy Jackson were at Andes on Sabbath.

• Otis McCumber and family were here from Andes over Sabbath.

• Truant officer, B.S. Miller is visiting the schools this week.

• Harry Swat and wife, of Treadwell were visitors here on Saturday.

• Mrs. R.A. Thomson and Mrs. Leonard Sloan visited the County Seat on Tuesday.

• Thomas Gordon and Maggie Coulter attended the funeral of Peter Scott at Delhi Tuesday.

• Communion services will be held in the United Presbyterian church the 1st Sabbath in June.

• Miss Lillian Miller and Mayme Lidle, of Andes, visited the former’s brother here on Saturday.

• James Ormiston took his household goods to Delhi Tuesday to ship them to Pennsylvania.  Frank Miller, Herman Coulter, David Drafin (sic) each took a load.

• Professor Duncan C. Lee of Cornell University, third son of Dr. Lee formerly of this town, is mentioned among the possible Democratic candidates for governor this fall.

May 11, 1900

• John Blair went to Middletown Friday.

• William Ruff made a trip to Delhi on Monday.

• Fred Bramley was down at Delhi on Saturday.

• W.B. Scott, of Delhi, was in town on Sabbath.

• F.R. Coulter visited at the County Seat on Friday.

• Alex Hilson and family visited at Delhi Tuesday.

• Frank Myers visited his son, Alexander, here on Friday.

• Mr. and Mrs. John Blair visited her parents at Delhi on Saturday.

• Andrew Seacord and family and Miss Lulu Jackson visited Delhi on Saturday.

• James L. Ormiston and family started Monday morning for their new home near Philadelphia.

• Mrs. Thomas Gordon returned home from her father’s on Sabbath, where she has been for some time on account of the illness and death of her brother, Peter Scott.

• Schools in town observed Arbor Day at the Centre school under the management Mr. McCune and Miss Jackson, the scholars gave recitations and other exercises, and did well in every part.

• Thursday the New York Life Insurance Company, through their agent, presented Mrs. Walter Coulter with a check for $1,000, being pay in full of the policy which her late husband carried in that company. 

May 18, 1900

• John Blair was at Delhi Tuesday.

• Thomas Dennis and lady were at Andes on Sabbath.

• Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Coulter were at Delhi last Thursday.

• Hom. D.L. Thompson was down at the County Seat Tuesday.

• Mr. and Mrs. Frank R. Coulter visited the County Seat Tuesday.

• Miss Jennie Miller is absent visiting at Walton, and Allegheny, Pa.

• James Liddle and Charles McPherson were each at Andes Thursday.

• David J. Miller has sold his span of grey horses to Mr. Gladstone, of Downsville.

• David Oliver and Mrs. John Oliver and son were over at Andes on Tuesday.

• Reed Dumond and Robert Laing were among Andes visitors in town on Tuesday.

• B.S. Miller is absent this week attending the State G.A.R. Encampment at Utica.

• E.L. McNear, a government surveyor was up on Mt. Pisgah last week to make a survey with the object of removing some trees in order that an uninterrupted view may be had from Cooperstown.

May 25, 1900

• Frost Monday morning.

• Will Gladstone, of Downsville, was a visitor Tuesday.

• Walter McDivitt made a trip to the County Seat Friday.

• O.S. Nichols was in town Monday on telephone business.

• Kennedy Warren and wife were up from Delhi on Sabbath.

• Mrs. D.J. Miller and Mrs. J.D. Burns visited Delhi Friday.

• Colfax Livingston has been a guest at Rev. Samson’s this week.

• Rev. Andrew Archibald was a guest at De. Phinney’s on Sabbath.

• John Blair and daughter, Helen, were down at Delhi Saturday.

• Mr. and Mrs. George Gladstone visited relatives at Walton last week.

• Mr. and Mrs. G.D. Miller were at Delhi Tuesday and Wednesday.

• Will Collins, from the West, a son of James Collins, was in town Tuesday.

• Mrs. John M. Miller and Lizzie Burns were among Delhi visitors Friday.

• David F. Hoy, registrar, of Cornell University, and wife were at John R. Hoy’s over Sabbath.

• J.K. McDivitt was in town Saturday. He will give a lecture here on Friday evening, May 25.

• Wesley Miller and Mr. Briggs and their wives, of Oneonta, were at G.D. Miller’s the first of the week.

• Dogs have been making havoc with sheep in town.  Friday night they killed six sheep and a lamb for Mr. Kinch on the Soper farm Sabbath night they killed a lamb for Ed Coulter, and Monday injured some for Thomas Archibald so badly that they will probably die.

• The following were the delegates to the Sabbath School convention at Delhi: Mrs. Elliott Thompson, Miss Mary Thompson, Mrs. Samson, Miss Maggie D. Strangeway, Will Hastings, R.E. Bergman. Alternates-Mrs. James L. Coulter, Miss Libbie Strangeway, Mrs. John Oliver, Miss Leona Thomson, T.C. Strangeway, Frank Miller. 

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

Here's what life was like in Bovina 100 years ago this month, as reported in the pages of the Andes Recorder:

May 1, 1925

• Mrs. Lucy Coulter is spending a few days at New Kingston.

• John Blair has had a bathroom installed in his residence.

• William J. Storie was a caller at the County Seat last Thursday.

• Sloan Archibald has had a new porch built onto his residence.

• Henry Campbell, of Walton, and assistants are doing some carpenter work at John Aitkens.

• Mrs. Bell MacPherson, who has been at Walton for several months, is visiting her sons here.

• Miss Anna Dickson and Harold Curren, from Cornell University, spent over the weekend here.

• Thos C. Strangeway and William C. Russell have had concrete sidewalks laid in front of their residences.

• Lloyd Ormiston and family, who have been visiting his mother here, have moved from Goshen to Hudson.

• Miss Mabel Thomson, who was called home several weeks ago by the illness of her mother, Mrs. Dixon Thomson, has returned to her school duties at Winsted, Connecticut.

• William Armstrong is having an addition built onto the kitchen of his residence. He will also have a bathroom installed. James T. Aitken and Barton Jackson, of Andes are the carpenters.

• Rev. F.N. Crawford is absent attending the meeting of the General Assembly of the United Presbyterian church at Topeka, Kansas. There will be no preaching service at the U.P. church on Sabbath.

May 8, 1925

• Mrs. Mary Ann Russell is ill at her home at the Butt End.

• Mr. and Mrs. John Hilson were at the County Seat Tuesday.

• Mrs. John Aitkens is visiting her daughter, Mrs. Flynn, at Pepacton.

• Jack Myers, of Springfield, Mass., spent over Sabbath with his parents here.

• Bovina real estate transfers recorded are William R. Miller and another to David C. Worden, $95.

• Misses Kate and Freda Miller spent over Sabbath with their sister, Mrs. Otis McCumber, at Andes.

• John Aitkens is having a veranda built along the front of his residence – the former Kennedy place.

• George Fuller, son of Ferris Fuller, formerly of this place, died recently in Pennsylvania, leaving a wife and eight children.

• Miss Margaret Atkin, aged 81, and a native of Bovina, died from apoplexy at the county home April 29. She was a daughter of Isaac and Nancy (Blair) Atkin.

• Hon. John D. Clark was in town last Wednesday. At the Center school he planted a tree on the school ground. Each scholar was given a small white pine to take home and plant. [This is Congressman John D. Clarke, who was born in Hobart in 1869. He served in congress from 1921-1925. After losing reelection, he successfully ran again in 1926 and served until his death in 1933 in an auto accident.]

• Robert Robinson has sold the standing timber on his farm – the former Thos Forrest place – up Coulter Brook to the Merritt Lumber Company. The logs are being hauled to Margaretville by truck. 

• Henry Halstead, who was born in Bovina 78 years ago, died from heart disease, at the county home April 27. He is survived by his second wife and by a son and daughter by his first wife. Burial was at the Flats cemetery.

• Elmer Hastings and daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. George T. Booth, of Saranac, visited his brother, Milton Hastings, a few days the past week. His daughter, Lulu, who is a trained nurse, and has recently recovered from diphtheria, met them at Kingston on their way home Wednesday and the party will go home via Buffalo and Niagara Falls with their auto.

• Monday while Will Haines was coming down the pitch at Alex Myers’, his team being attached to a lumber wagon, the bolt came out of the single whiffletree and let it hit the horse. The frightened team started to run but Mr. Haines managed to pull them into the ditch and got them stopped after going a few rods, and with the aid of James Ackerley got them unhitched without any damage being done. 

Lake Delaware

• Rev. Edgelow baptized the Edgelow and Bye babies last Sabbath.

• Rev. Edgelow and Harry Murray motored to Springfield, Mass. last Wednesday and returned home Thursday accompanied by Dr. and Mrs. Arthur Edgelow and two children.

• Mrs. Alex Jardine attended the annual convention of the Albany Diocesan branch of the Woman’s Auxiliary at Schenectady last Wednesday and Thursday as a delegate from St. James branch. 

May 15, 1925

• Mrs. David Currie spent Wednesday at Delhi.

• Ted Fuller, of Utica, was here over the week end.

• Mrs. Gideon Miller, of Hamden, spent Wednesday with relatives.

• Mr. and Mrs. George Polley, from Andes, were callers here on Sabbath.

• John Hilson is having the sidewalk along the front of his property re-laid.

• David J. Miller, of Walton, was here Wednesday looking after property interests.

• It is stated that the Yankee school district will be consolidated with the Maynard district.

• William Armstrong has received the appointment of census enumerator for the town of Bovina.

• Mr. and Mrs. John Laing and Frank Myers, of Endicott, spent over the week end with the relatives.

• Miss Bell V. Gladstone, of Walton, spent over Sabbath at the home of her nephew, C.S. Gladstone.

• A woman representing Lord’s Day Alliance spoke at the United Presbyterian church last Sabbath.

• L.W. Thomson, of New York, is in town on a fishing trip. His wife is a daughter of the late Dr. Lee.

• Mr. and Mrs. Ed. D. Gladstone and daughter, Mary, and Miss Emily Archibald were at Andes on Sabbath.

• The Home Bureau met Tuesday with Miss Carrie Dumond. Fancy work was the matter under discussion. 

• Mr. and Mrs. John Hilson and Mr. and Mrs. Wilber Doig attended the Larro dealers banquet at the Kingston hotel at Delhi, Friday evening.

• At the sale of the personal property of F.W. Hyatt on the D.J. Miller farm Wednesday cows sold as high as $100, but the average will be considerably less.

• Mr. and Mrs. Ward Fancher, of Kortright, spent Sabbath with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Geo H. Miller. Their little daughter, who has been staying here returned home with them.

• Lauren Dickson, who was admitted to the practice of law a few months ago and has been in an office in Saratoga, is now associated with the law firm of Couper & Terry in Binghamton.

• William H. Irvine, a member of the Fisher Flour Mills, of Seattle, Washington, who was east at Washington, D.C., on business, spent a short time with his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Irvine on his way home. [William was the brother of Isabell Russell.]

May 22, 1925

• Wallace Hyatt has gone to New York City.

• John Armstrong is driving a new Chevrolet sedan.

• Grace Bramley has hired to teach at Union Grove for next year.

• George H. Miller is having his residence repainted. Alex Myers is doing the job.

• Miss Mary Kelley, of Delhi, spent over the weekend with her friend Margaret Gordon. [This likely was Mary Keeley, who taught fourth grade at Delaware Academy.]

• Mrs. T.C. Strangeway was taken ill on Friday with acute indigestion, but is now better.

• From the play Down in Maine last Friday evening the Missionary Society realized about $75.

• Mr. and Mrs. Galie Hafele spent the first of the week with her brother, Archibald Thomson, at Walton.

• Freeman Shaver, of Terry Clove, was here on Sabbath and his father George Shaver returned home with him. 

• A play the “Minister’s Wife’s New Bonnet,” will be given Friday evening under the auspices of the King’s Daughter Sabbath School Class.

• Those from out of town of attend the funeral of Miss Jennie Miller on Monday, were Mr. and Mrs. James Foreman, Miss Margaret Archibald, Mrs. George Cable, Mrs. William Bramley, of Delhi, Mr. and Mrs. Herman Sanford, of New Kingston. 

LAST OF HER GENERATION

Miss Jennie Miller, of Bovina, Dies at Age of 84 Years

Miss Jennie Miller died at the County Home, on Friday, May 15, at the ripe old age of 84 years.

She was the daughter of the late David Miller who came to America from Scotland in 1816, and was born in Bovina and all her life had been spent in the town. She was a member of the U.P. Church and a great believer in missions.

The funeral was held Monday with interment in the Bovina Center cemetery. 

May 29, 1925

• James Ackerley is painting his remodeled residence.

• Frank Miller and wife were at Andes the first of the week.

• Miss Ruth Teal spent from Saturday until Monday at Bloomville.

• Mrs. Julia McPherson has been confined to her home the past week by illness. [Mrs. McPherson was the former Julia Ann Fuller. Married to A. Fitch McPherson, she was widowed in 1903. Julia survived this illness, dying in 1933.] 

• Miss Angelica Gerry, of New York, has arrived at her summer home at Lake Delaware.

• Miss Alice Frayer, of Delhi, spent over the week end with her friend Miss Margaret Gordon. 

• Sabbath morning at the U.P. church the pastor preached a sermon especially for the children.

• Bovina real estate transfers recorded Bovina Cemetery Association to Fredrick Johnson, $35. 

• Fritz Burger, who owns the Armstrong farm, returned to his home at Hackensack on Thursday.

• Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Russell attended the funeral of James Amos on Scotch Mountain last week.

• Edgar Lee, son of John B. Lee in Tuttle Hollow, has just completed a course in the Albany Pharmacy College. [Edgar became a successful pharmacist in Delhi, running Lee’s Pharmacy for many years. His daughter Lucile would marry Willard Frisbee.]

• Charles Cheney has his household goods advertised and with his family will return to his former home in Nebraska.

• Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Russell, Mrs. Elizabeth Irvine and Mrs. Douglas Davidson were County Seat visitors on Monday.

• Mrs. Thomas Gordon accompanied Homer Covert and daughter Edna, to Brooklyn last Friday and remained until Monday, visiting Wm. S. Gordon and Don Covert, who are attending the Pratt Institute.