This Day in Bovina for February 2019

Ninety-eight years ago today, on February 1, 1921, as later reported in the Otsego Farmer, "Everett Palmateer of Andes and Fletcher Davidson of Bovina had the unusual experience of being projected through the top of an enclosed car last Tuesday afternoon. The men were on their way to Bovina in the enclosed Ford car of Mr. Palmateer, with Mr. Davidson driving. The road, was slippery and when they reached the top of the hill at Lake Mohican on the Thos. Mabon farm, the rear of the car skidded and swung across the road and as it turned over on its side the men were shot through the top, tearing off the entire top of the car."

Ninety-one years ago today, on February 2, 1928, an alert Ruth Coulter saw a light in the village school building and discovered that the building was on fire.  As later reported in the Andes Recorder, "The fire department was called out and the fire was put out by the use of chemicals and very little water with only slight damage. It started from the furnace."  The building concerned is now the Bovina Public Library.  Ruth Coulter later married Bill Parsons.

Seventy-five years ago today, the Bovina Center column of the February 3, 1944 Delaware Republican-Express reported that "the Harvey Burgins have a new floor in their dining room." The same column also reported that "Mrs. Lillian Hafele is now living in her new home, the former Jennie Archibald house."

Fifty-four years ago today, the February 4, 1965 issue of the Delaware Republican-Express reported in its Bovina column "Due to the closing of the New Kingston Creamery, four dairies have already brought their milk to the Bovina Creamery, Marvin Hosier, Bill Elliott, David Condon and a Mr. Walters…."

Two farm related items from the Andes Recorder appeared 122 years ago today in its Bovina column for February 5, 1897:

"Cows averaged $22.80 at Thomas Gordon’s auction last week Thursday, in Glenburnie, and everything else sold well.

"Many think that the grasshoppers working on the hay and straw the past season, is the cause of so much sickness among cows and horses here this winter."

113 years ago today, on February 6, 1906, as later reported in the Catskill Mountain News, the temperature in Bovina was "twenty-four degrees below zero … the backbone of winter seems to be strengthened instead of weakened."

117 years ago, in its February 7, 1902 edition, the Andes Recorder reported on a letter from a Bovina resident who was in Seattle:  "Writing from Seattle, Miss Jennie J. Campbell, who recently went from this place, likes the place very much and her letter, written about the middle of January, states that the climate is mild and at that time the weather was like our April.  Lawns were green, and roses and violets were in bloom."

Sixty-eight years ago today, the Bovina column in the Delaware Republican-Express for February 8, 1951 reported "Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Gibson, who have been living in rooms over the Thomas garage, moved to Andes. Mr. and Mrs. Roy Knaff and family, who have been living in the old hotel moved into the rooms vacated by the Gibsons."

Ninety-six years ago today, on February 9, 1923, as reported by the Andes Recorder, "Mrs. Fred Johnson committed suicide at her home in Bovina Center by cutting her throat with a razor…"  Born of Lydia Thomson, the Recorder noted that the cause of her suicide "was probably over wrought nerves." The newspaper noted that her husband had been ill and she was having her own health problems. A niece had come to help with the care of Mr. Johnson, so Mrs. Johnson and her sister went up to bed. Her sister, Mrs. James Russell, heard her sister get up in the night but didn't think much about it and went back to sleep. When she couldn't find her the next morning, a search was instigated in the house. Mrs. Johnson was found at the top of the stairs into the attic, still holding the razor with which she did the deed. "The funeral was held Monday from the Church of the Covenanters, Rev. F.N. Crawford officiating." Mr. Johnson passed away in January of 1925.

Ninety-one years ago, the Andes Recorder of February 10, 1928 reported that "Courtney Currie was kept from his work at the creamery a few days the past week by boils."

133 years ago today, on February 11, 1886, as later reported in the Stamford Mirror, "The household goods of John Shanks, wagon maker, late of New Kingston, arrived in Brushland on Thursday, the 11th inst., and he will occupy the rooms, and carry on the business, in the shop lately occupied by J. Dietrich."

117 years ago today, on February 12, 1902, Fort-nightly Club lecture course hosted a lecture by Professor William Elliott Travis of Cornell University at Strangeway’s Hall. His subject was “Facts Fun and Fancy Concerning the Japanese.”

Fifty-four years ago today, on February 13, 1965, as later reported in the Bovina column of the Delaware Republican Express, "Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher Davidson and Mrs. William Storie attended the meeting of the Delaware County Historical Association at Roxbury…On their way home they called on Mr. and Mrs. Frank Miller at Stamford and found them in good health." The Millers used to live in Bovina in what is known as the Charlie and Eva McIntosh house.

131 years ago today, the Bovina column in the February 14, 1888 Stamford Mirror reported "A spelling school in the Pink Street District…attracted a large number of the young people, one sleigh load containing 19 persons going up form Bovina Center."

155 years ago today, on February 15, 1864, John Murray signed this oath of office as overseer of the poor.

Ninety-seven years ago today, on February 16, 1922, Calvin Russell's team of horses got away from him. The Andes Recorder reported that "The team of Calvin Russell took fright at the creamery Thursday morning and had a lively run. Coming onto Main street the team ran in at the Hastings feed store and onto the flat above the new street. Continuing up the flat they went over the wall into a rocky pasture lot of Fred Bramley and were not caught until they reached Bramley’s. No damage was done and not even the milk cans were thrown out. How they avoided all the rocks is a miracle."

108 years ago today, on February 17, 1911, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "The infant child of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Foreman, aged three months and four days, died with pneumonia... Rev. Robb officiated at the funeral Monday.  Child was their only daughter, Mary Elizabeth." The Foremans had three sons at the time of their daughter's death and would have two more after.

This license photograph of Cliff Hall was taken in February 1950 by Bob Wyer. Cliff was born in 1921 in Walton. It was at a dance in Walton that he met Gertrude Kittle. They were married and spent some time in San Francisco where Cliff was stationed in the Navy during World War II. After the war, they came to Bovina to farm on Coulter Brook Road. In the 1950s they started their farm vacation business, Elms Farms. They retired from that and had a home in Bovina Center while spending winters in Florida. Cliff died in 1988. Photograph courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

Eighty-nine years ago today, the Bovina column of the February 19, 1930 Delaware Republican reported "The two large smoke stacks on the Dry Milk Plant were raised….George Flowers of Hobart was in charge. They are putting in a new dry pan this week." Here's an undated photo of the dry milk plant showing the smoke stacks. The plant was behind the Bovina Center Creamery. 

117 years ago this afternoon, on February 20, 1902, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "the smoke house of G.D. Miller caught fire, scorching eight hams he had curing there.  It was believed that the building caught fire from some ashes which Mr. Miller had taken from the stove that morning and stored there."

166 years ago today, on February 21, 1853, Mary McCune Douglas gave birth to a son, John McCune Douglas. His father was James R. Douglas. John would die at the age of 7 years and 26 days in 1860. Mary Douglas was James' second wife. His first wife, Nancy, gave birth to one daughter and died a few months later. This daughter would die two months before her half-brother John. James and Mary would have one more child a year after the death of their son. The daughter would die at the age of 15.

Seventy-four years ago today, on February 22, 1945, Ethel DeSilva sent this V Postcard to her friend Marjorie Russell in Bovina. Ethel had enlisted in December 1944 as a WAVE in the Navy. She was discharged in November 1945. Ethel was the daughter of Harvey and Elizabeth Burgin (and a first cousin of Cliff Burgin). She was married to Fred DeSilva, who also served in the Second World War. Fred died in 1976, Ethel in 1986. The postcard is signed 'Pete,' which was Mrs. DeSilva's nickname.

127 years ago today, February 23, 1892, Ralph Miller Barnhart was born, the son of Jeremy Barnhart and Kate Miller.  Ralph was married and widowed three times and would live to be 96, dying on Christmas Day, 1988. He would have one son, Donald, from his first marriage to Anna Ruland. He is buried in Bovina. Ralph was my great-uncle. Here he is with his sisters Edith and Anna Bell (my grandmother). 

134 years ago today, the February 24, 1885 Stamford Mirror had this item about the recent town election. These elections took place in February until the early 20th century. 

199 years ago today on February 25, 1820, the New York State legislature passed an act creating the Town of Bovina. This means we are only a year away from Bovina's Bicentennial.

Seventy-nine years ago today, on February 26, 1940, Mrs. Charles F. McPherson died.  The Delaware Republican had reported in its February 22 issue that "Mrs. Charles F. McPherson was taken to the hospital at Delhi….for treatment by Dr. Brooks."  The newspaper reported her death a week later. Mrs. McPherson was born Carrie Eliza Miller, daughter of William R. Miller and Mary G. Laing. Carrie was 58 at her death. Her husband survived her by over 20 years, dying in 1963.

124 years ago today, on February 27, 1895, Jennie E. Hilson, the daughter of Thomas and Jenneatte Orr Stott Hilson was married to Lewis W. Cooper. Lewis was from Massachusetts. They would have nine children.  Here is the invitation to the wedding. 

107 years ago today, this item appeared in the February 28, 1912 Delaware Gazette: "James C. Mabon and John Whitson have sold their farms in southern Bovina to Robert L. Gerry. The options were given several days ago and the writings will be drawn Friday. Both Mabon and Whitson can, if they choose, remain on the farms until September. It is stated that Mr. Mabon receives $15,000 and Mr. Whitson $5,250 for their respective farms. Mr. Mabon has his eye on a small place at East Delhi It is understood that Mr. Gerry will erect a large summer home at the heights of the Mabon farm." This is where in 1915 Gerry built Aknusti.

Bovina Bicentennial Celebration, Update 2

Today is Bovina's 199th Birthday (February 25), meaning that we are one year away from Bovina's Bicentennial. There's not much new to report since last month's update, but a couple of things to note:

• There will be a meeting of the ad-hoc Bovina Bicentennial committee on March 9 at 11 am at the Bovina Community Hall. All are welcome to attend. We want to get a couple of sub-committees started - a fund-raising one and a celebration weekend one. 
• I have submitted a grant application to the Tourism Promotion and Development Grant program from the Delaware County Economic Development agency. I'm applying for funds to create a promotional/fund-raising poster for the celebration.  

Some dates to remember:

• July 20, 2019 - Pie Auction at the Community Hall to raise funds for the 2020 celebration. Chuck McIntosh, Auctioneer.
• August 1 and 2, 2020 - Bovina Bicentennial Weekend 

Railroad Meeting in Brushland

150 years ago, the February 24, 1869 Delaware Gazette had this report under the title "Railroad Meeting."

A meeting was at Brushland, Thursday of last week, which was very well attended, not only by citizens of Bovina, but other towns interested in the connection of the Midland and the Roundout and Oswego Road. James Elliott, Esq., of Brushland, was called to the Chair, and N. Bowne and T.F. McIntosh, Esqurs., appointed Secretaries.

Henry Dowie, Esq., of Andes, opened the meeting with some forcible and appropriate remarks in regard to the importance and practicability of the project.

After some further remarks by S. Yoeman and Dr. Calhoun, a committee, consisting of B. Fitch, Rev. J.B. Lee, H. Dowie, W.W. Grant, and D. Blake was appointed to draft resolutions for the consideration of the meeting....

Several resolutions were adopted at this meeting:

Resolved, that we are in favor of using all honorable means in our power to promote the construction of a Railroad connecting the Rondout and Oswego, and the New York and Oswego Midland roads at Delhi.

Resolved, That a committee of three inhabitants of Bovina be appointed to consider the propriety of securing the appointment of suitable persons as Commissioners, to bond the said town for the above object; and if it shall be deemed expedient so to do, that this said committee take the necessary steps of procure the appointment of such Commissioners, and that said committee consist of James Elliott, David Black and William Archibald.

Resolved, that we recommend to the people of the town of Andes to take the necessary steps for procuring the requisite consents to bond that town.

Resolved, that we recommend to the inhabitants of the town of Delhi that they petition the Board of Directors of the Midland Company to appropriate a part of the amount for which that town is bonded, towards the construction of this connecting road.

Resolved. That we recommend to the Directors of the Rondout and Oswego Railroad Company that they send on a corps of engineers as soon as possible.to make the necessary surveys.

The meeting seems to have had much confidence in the project of uniting the two roads and the advantages appear to be appreciated by the people in the towns interested. 

It would be almost thirty years before there was any serious movement on connecting Delhi to Andes and both places to Bovina by railroad. The Delaware Railroad Company was created in 1898 and construction actually started. The project ultimately and quite rapidly failed. For more on that project, see the series of blog entries from March 2011 in this blog.

February 1919 - 100 Years Ago "in That Thriving Town"

The Andes Recorder in February 1919 reported on a wedding anniversary, a broken shoulder and the start of survey work for what would become St. James Church at Lake Delaware.

February 7, 1919

·         The Dry Milk Company is putting in ice at the Center creamery.

·         There was a dance at the town hall last Friday evening with 44 numbers.

·         Nelson Reynolds is in town, making the doors and finishing Hilson Bros. garage.

·         Estate of James D. Calhoun, late of Bovina, who was killed in France.  Letters of administration issued to Anna B. Calhoun. Estimate, $500 real and $3,000 personal.

·         Mrs. Mary Swart, who has been in poor health for some time, suffered a shock about 5 o’clock Tuesday morning, at the home of her niece, Mrs. William Crosier, and lies in precarious condition.

Declared 3 Per Cent Dividend

At a meeting Tuesday evening, the directors of the Bovina Water company declared a dividend of 3 percent to the stockholders.

Bovina Couple Married 30 years

The friends of Mr. and Mrs. John W. Blair made them a surprise visit on Thursday evening, January 30, the occasion being the 30th anniversary of their marriage.

Surveying for Church

Surveyors are at work surveying for the new Episcopal church, rectory and hall, which are to be erected by the Gerry’s at Lake Delaware. The buildings will stand at the junction of the state road and the road leading to the Gerry Estate.

February 14, 1919

·         Mrs. John A. Irvine has been spending a few days with her son, Dr. Lester Irvine, at Delhi.

·         Homer Burgin, who had a 30 day furlough, returned to his duties with the marines last Friday.

·         Robert G. Thomson, manager at the Dry Milk plant, went to New York on Wednesday on a business trip.

·         John Myers, who has been discharged from the aviation section of the navy, has returned to his old job at Endicott.

·         David Little, who recently moved back to Delhi from Massachusetts, has taken a position on the estate of Robert L. Gerry in southern Bovina.

February 21, 1919

·         William J. Crosier is confined to his bed.

·         William Irvine, of Seattle, is visiting his mother, Mrs. John A. Irvine.

·         The Dry Milk plant in the Center is now receiving about 23,000 pounds of milk daily.

·         An old fashioned social is to be held in the town hall on Friday evening of this week for the benefit of the C.U. society.

·         Rev. Thos E. Graham, teacher in the academic department of the village school, is still confined to his home.  Mrs. Wm. J. Storie has taken his place in school until he is able to attend to his duties.

Creamery Patrons May Lose

Patrons of Bovina U-Town Creamery Hauling Milk to Bovina Center

            Two or three years ago the up-town co-operative Creamery leased their plant to some Greeks, who manufactured cheese and paid big prices.  Last fall there was [a] little trouble over paying for the milk, but that was settled.  Recently there had been little demand for cheese and payments ran behind until about 14,000 was due the patrons.  Last week the patrons withheld their milk and it is now being hauled to the Dry Milk Company at Bovina Center.  It is stated that if the cheese can be disposed of at a good price the loss to the farmers will be light.

February 28, 1919

·         The dog licenses are being issued for another year.

·         Ernest Starley, who has been in France, was in town Tuesday.

·         Homer Burgin, who is in the marines, is home on another furlough.

·         Millard Blair, who [had] been in the service overseas, arrived home last week.

·         Bovina is to have a first class garage.  It will be conducted by Claude Terry, of Delhi.

·         Hale G. Elliott met with an accident Tuesday at the Center creamery.  He fell from a ladder and his hand and wrist were painfully injured.

Bovina Man’s Shoulder Broken

            William Strangeway, who lives with his sister, Mrs. Charles A. McPherson, at Bramley Mountain, in this town, had the misfortune to fall and break his shoulder in two or three places last Thursday afternoon.  Dr. Whitcomb had to administer an anesthetic before he could get the shoulder mended.

This Day in Bovina for January 2019

Eighty-nine years ago today, the January 1, 1930 Delaware Republican carried this Bovina Center column.

The January 2, 1920 Bovina column of the Andes Recorder reported ninety-nine years ago today that "Wallace Hyatt, who has completed a four-year enlistment in the United States Navy, has received his discharge and is at his home here."

Ninety-seven years ago today, January 3, 1922, several Bovina people headed to New York City. As later reported in the Andes Recorder, "Mrs. George Baldwin, Miss Caroline Dickson, C.L. Dickson and Miss Jane Hilson left via Delhi, Tuesday morning for New York City, to resume their different labors." Mrs. Baldwin was the former Mary Dickson. She was the sister of her fellow travelers Caroline and C. Loughran Dickson. They grew up in Bovina in what is now the Brushland Eating House.

115 years ago today, January 4, 1904, Civil War veteran Berry Shaw Miller attended the installation of officers of England Post of the Grand Army of the Republic in Delhi.  The GAR was the Civil War veterans group.

Ninety-eight years ago today, on January 5, 1921, as later reported in the Bovina column of the Andes Recorder, "about a dozen relatives of Sloan Archibald gathered at his home….to help him celebrate his 76th birthday." From all available records, this actually would have been his 73rd birthday. The party likely took place in the house that I now own. A month after this party, Sloan and his wife sold the house. Sloan would live another seven years, dying in 1928 at the age of 80.

Ninety-five years ago today, on January 6, 1924, Mrs. Gilbert D. Miller celebrated her 80th birthday. As later reported in the Andes Recorder, "she wishes to thank the donors." Born Mary Jane Banker in 1844, she married Gilbert D. Miller, a Civil War veteran. This would be the last birthday she celebrated. Mrs. Miller died in December 1924. Her husband survived, dying in 1931. 

This is Gib and Mary Jane Miller in 1919 at their 50th wedding anniversary.

These photographs of brothers Dave and Ron Russell were taken in April 1944 by Bob Wyer. Sons of Ernest and Dorothy Russell, they grew up in Bovina. Ron passed away in 1985. Dave lives in the Syracuse area. Photograph courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

111 years ago today, on January 8, 1908, "Mr. and Mrs. George Gladstone celebrated the 40th anniversary of their marriage at the home of their son, Christopher Gladstone on the homestead farm.  Forty were present, among them Dr. Lee, who performed the ceremony 40 years ago, and T.C. and J.L. Strangeway, Thos Gladstone and Mrs. Maggie Palmer who were at the wedding.  The couple were presented with two chairs."

Ninety-nine years ago, in its January 9, 1920 issue, the Andes Recorder Bovina correspondent reported that "The Dry Milk Company is harvesting ice from Lake Mahiken, on Mabon farm this week."  One of the men working on moving the ice, Charles T. Fuller, "met with an accident on the ice at Lake Mahikan. His foot was caught in part of the machinery that was moving the ice up to the road.  The injury was very painful one, but he is improving." Lake Mahikan is on Route 28, now known as Silver Lake or Coles Lake. Charles Fuller (1881-1952) likely is the son of Thomas Fuller and Abigail Seacord.

128 years ago today, as later reported in the Stamford Mirror, "Charles Bramley Jr, formerly of this town, but for the past 11 years a resident of Jetmore, Kansas, was in town on Saturday, Jan 10, [1891], calling on friends." By 1900, Charles was back in Bovina, widowed and living with his nephew Fred Bramley. He died at his sister's home in Davenport in 1912 and is buried in Bloomville.

112 years ago today, the January 11, 1907 Catskill Mountain News reported that "J.S. Cathells, a former resident of Bovina, now bookkeeper for A. Wells & Co. of Divid, Colorado, recently had a narrow escape at the hands of three desperadoes who held up the store of his firm. Mr. Cathells who walked in on the robbers was compelled to open the safe with a gun pressed to his stomach. He was then tied, chloroformed and put in a corner." More about the Cathels family is on the Bovina NY History blog at https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2011/11/stories-from-bovinas-cemeteries-cathels.html.

181 years ago today, on January 12, 1838, Davina Laidlaw was born in Scotland, the daughter of David Laidlaw and Helen Knox Hart. She came to Bovina with her parents as a child and married Archibald Foreman, Sr. in 1861. Widowed in 1908, she died 10 years later in 1918 and is buried in Bovina.

107 years ago this morning, on January 13, 1912, as later recorded in the Bovina column of the Andes Recorder, "The thermometer…registered from 24 to 32 ½ below zero."

170 years ago today, on January 14, 1849, Margaret Atkin was born in Bovina, the daughter of Isaac Atkin and Nancy N. Blair. She never married. She took care of her father after her mother's death in 1873 and her younger siblings after her father's passing in 1876. In later life, she was living with the James Ormiston family as a servant, first in Bovina and later in Oneonta. She died in Delhi in April 1925 and is buried in Bovina.

187 years ago today, on January 15, 1832, Mrs. McFarland died. What Mrs. McFarland I have not been able to determine. The paper noted that she was "a native of Ireland." This possibly was Mrs. James McFarland, born Elizabeth Cooke. James McFarland was a native of Ireland and was married around 1751 in Ireland (he died in 1812). The most remarkable information about this woman, if the news report can be believed, was that she was "aged one hundred and ten years."

Ninety-one years ago today, on January 16, 1928, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "A sleet storm Monday night made traveling difficult and dangerous."

Ninety-four years ago today, on January 17, 1925, J. Douglas Burns and his son, William C (Bill) Burns went to Delhi. As later reported in the Bovina column of the Andes Recorder, they went to the County Seat "to see their wives, who are both in the hospital, the wife of the first named for treatment and Mrs. W.C. Burns is recovering from an operation." J. Douglas's wife, the former Margaret S. Doig, died five months later in June. Bill's wife, the former Emily Elliott, was recovering from a hernia operation and returned home in early February.

This photograph of Herb Parsons was taken in June 1952.  Herb was born in 1933, the son of William and Ruth (Coulter) Parsons. He was married to Pat Thomas in 1955 and was in the army from 1955 to 1957. A self-employed builder in Bovina, Herb was active in the Bovina Fire Department. He also was an avid hunter. Herb died at the age of 52 in 1986. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

Bob Wyer IMAGE Passport A1263 Parsons Herbert

119 years ago today, January 19, 1900, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "  Mr. and Mrs. Frank Gowanlock entertained the old soldiers Wednesday evening.  The inner man was satisfied by a fine lay out, cooked and served in a right royal manner by Mrs. Gowanlock and Mrs. Charles Boggs." 'Old soldiers' was the term at this time for Civil War veterans. Mr. Gowanlock himself was a veteran of the war, having served in Company E of the 144th New York volunteers.

104 years ago today, January 20, 1915, Bovina native Robert Scott died at Kansas City, Missouri at the age of 75.  Born in 1840, he married Jennette Hoy Ormiston in 1866 and moved west after the birth of their first child.  They would have five more children in Missouri, with at least three of the children predeceasing their parents. Robert was the son of Robert Scott and Martha Loughran. Robert's brother Adam Scott had died in Delhi three days earlier.

117 years ago today, as later reported in the Bovina column of the Andes Recorder, "Although rather late in the month the January thaw arrived Tuesday [January 21, 1902], also continuing Wednesday but caught cold Wednesday night.  An ice jam at the Centre forced the water out onto the flats."

111 years ago today, on January 22, 1908, "  A.M. Thomson, who went west in the hopes that his wife’s health might be benefited by California climate; arrived in Bovina on Wednesday.  Mrs. Thomson is with her people at Downsville."  Mrs. Thomas was Mary Elizabeth Liddle. Her health did not improve - she died on February 3, in Downsville from consumption.

Eighty-four years ago today, January 23, 1935, Isabella Laidlaw McPherson died. Born in Andes in 1844, she was the daughter of William Laidlaw and Isabella Liddle. She married Ferris McPherson and they settled in Bovina, where they raised their three sons. She was widowed in 1906.

Mrs. Charlotte Miller died 108 years ago today on January 24, 1911 at the age of 50. She had been ill for several months from anemia. Born Charlotte Gow, she spent most of her life in Bovina. She married David W. Miller, who died in 1892 at the age of 37. Charlotte was survived by one son, who, unlike his parents, lived into old age, dying at the age of 96 in 1986.

120 years ago today, January 25, 1899, there was a celebration of Burns night in Bovina.  As briefly reported in the Andes Recorder: "A haggis eat was held at William Forrest’s Wednesday evening, in honor Robert Burns."  For more information on "Scotland's Favorite Son," go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Burns

118 years ago today, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "Robert Gowanlock died Saturday forenoon [January 26, 1901] at the home of his nephew, Frank Gowanlock, aged 80 years.  He was born in Scotland and came to this country in 1840 and has since been a citizen of Bovina, following his trade – a carpenter.  The funeral was held Monday in the United Presbyterian church, conducted by Rev. Samson." He was buried in the Bovina Cemetery.

117 years ago today, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "Mrs. Stephen Russell died at her home near this village Monday morning, January 27, [1902] after a long illness, aged 74 years.  Mrs. Russell was the daughter of the late John Armstrong and was born in the town of Bovina, November, 1827, on the farm now occupied by F.C. Armstrong.  She was one of twelve children, ten of whom grew to manhood and womanhood.  Of these five are now living – three daughters and two sons.  In 1850 she was married to Stephen Russell.  She is survived by a husband, six sons and one daughter.  The funeral was held Wednesday at 12 o’clock in the Reformed Presbyterian church, Rev. T.M. Slater officiating.  The interment was in the Bovina Centre cemetery."

This license image of Walter Reinertsen was taken in July 1948. Walt, known also as Dowie, was born in 1930, the last child of Andrew and Sophie Reinertsen. He served in the Air Force during the Korean War and settled in the Rome, NY area where he was an airline mechanic for Allegheny Air Lines. He died at the age of 43 in 1974, leaving behind his wife Eleanor and daughter Andrea. Photo by Bob Wyer, courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.

Seventy-five years ago today, on January 29, 1944, John W. Storie wrote the last entry in his diary that he had kept off and on since 1890: "Cloudy & cool snow last night. I some better not outdoors yet. Geo started milker. Called to John Thomas chimney fire." After this entry there is a note in another handwriting: "This is last entry by John Storie who died Feb. 4, 1944." The Catskill Mountain News later reported that Storie had died in the Delhi hospital from pneumonia, having been admitted the day before. He was 80 years old. Born on the Storie homestead on Pink Street, he was the son of Alexander and Esther Storie. He married Jane Laidlaw and they had two sons, William J. and George.

116 years ago, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "William T. Russell and Miss Martha Bergman, were married Friday evening, January 30, [1903] at the home of the bride, on the Alex. Liddle farm, by the Rev. W.L.C. Samson."  William and Martha would have five children.  Martha was widowed after 22 years of marriage in 1925.  For several years, she ran a guest house on her farm on Russell Hill Road.  Martha died in 1943.

113 years ago, on January 31, 1906, Rosati’s Royal Italian Concert Band appeared at the Bovina UP Church.  They were originally scheduled to play in Strangeway’s Hall but because of the size of the crowd, the event was moved.  The Andes Recorder later reported "It was fine and pleased the entire audience." Alberto G. Rosati’s Band traveled around the country in the early 20th century but was slated to have a short life. Rosati died less than six months after giving this concert in Bovina, dying in June 1906 in Kansas City, Missouri following an operation for appendicitis.