November 1920 - 100 Years Ago "in that Thriving Town"

100 years ago this month, the Andes Recorder reported the following activities in the Town of Bovina:

November 5, 1920
• An addition is being built onto the Bovina Centre Co-Operative creamery.
• James E. Hastings is building an addition to his already large barn, in order to provide room for his produce.
• Bovina is building a piece of stone road through the little hamlet known as the Butt End, making use of the auto money.  Residents in that vicinity also subscribed quite a sum.  It is planned to build a stone road the three miles between the Butt End and Bovina Center as rapidly as possible.

October Term Supreme Court
Bovina Woman Wins $500 Verdict in Slander Case
    The case of Jennie B. Doig vs. Elmer Close, for alleged slander, which had been on trial since Thursday, went to the jury and a verdict of $500 was returned for the plaintiff.  This case has been attracting considerable attention in Delaware county, as the parties involved are well known.

Famous Violinist
Ward Baker, Formerly in Bovina, and Daughter in Court
    Nearly everyone in Delaware county probably remembers Ward Baker, violinist, who a few years ago lived in Bovina and delighted audiences with his playing.
    The Chicago Tribune of Oct 1 has the following:  Ward Baker, eccentric violinist, who gained fame in street concerts, and Ellen Cole Baker, his 13 year old daughter, for whose custody he is fighting, are united in Judge Brentono’s court. During Bakers absence in Europe his wife divorced him and later committed suicide. The daughter was transferred from one relative to another until Mrs. Hatch, a sister of Baker, was appointed her guardian and the child is now in the May Wood school at Evanston. The sister is willing that Baker shall have his child if the court decides that he is competent to give her the education that she deserves.  Further hearings will be held.

November 12, 1920
• Mrs. John A. Irvine, of Bovina, and Mrs. Wm T. Black of Delhi, expect to start next week for the state of Washington, where Mrs. Irvine has three sons.
• Mrs. John Henry went to New York this week to enter a hospital for an operation. Mr. and Mrs. William F. Boggs have gone up to keep house and help with chores.
• Last week Bovina taxpayers voted down a proposition to appropriate the sum of $4,680 for the purchase of a steam roller for use on the road.  The vote was a tie – 64 to 64.
• A mystery social will be held Friday evening of this week at the home of C.S. Gladstone.  The proceeds are to be used toward the purchase of an organ for the Bovina Center school.

November 19, 1920
• Sheffield Smith has purchase[d] a new Ford truck.  He also keeps his White truck.
• The skim from the Bovina Center creamery is now being hauled to Andes.
• The sum of $23 was realized from a mystery social held last Friday evening at C.S. Gladstone’s.
• C.S. Terry, proprietor of the Bovina garage, went to Sullivan county deer hunting and brought back a deer.
• Last Saturday the doctors had to fix over Wm. S. Thomson’s leg, which was broken over two weeks ago.  They have now placed the leg in a plaster cast.

Truck Went Thru Bovina Bridge
    Last Friday about dark the White truck of Sheffield Smith went thru a bridge on Miller avenue.  The truck was driven by Floyd Rockafeller and was loaded with 50 hundred of burnt lime for A.P. Lee.  The lime had to be unloaded before the truck could be jacked up and gotten out.  The truck was very little damaged.

November 26, 1920
• Mrs. S.R. Seacord and son, Edward, who recently sold the Seacord homestead farm in Bovina, have moved to Delhi village.
• William C. Burns, who recently purchased the Jennie Miller house and twelve acres of land below the village, is making numerous improvements about the place.

This Day in Bovina for October 2020

Ninety-nine years ago today, on October 1, 1921, Jennet Isabella Doig died. She was born in 1867, the daughter of William S. Doig and Margaret Miller.

 

Forty-six years ago today, the October 2, 1974 Stamford Mirror Recorder carried this article listing new books at the Bovina Public Library: 

 

138 years ago today, on the evening of October 3, 1882, as later reported in the Stamford Mirror's Bovina column, "Some of our young men amused themselves by running horses through Brushland…." The action was "severely condemned by people generally…," partly because it was done "while people were on their way to Miss Meade's entertainment…" There also was damage to Dr. Telford's fence and several people were injured. "It is to be hoped that such a thing may not occur again."

 

134 years ago today, on October 4, 1886, as later reported in the Bovina column of the Stamford Mirror, "Madison McFarland, James L. Ormiston and Miss Addie Scott started for Missouri…going via Arkville and New York. Mr. Ormiston will return in a few weeks." It appears that at some point Madison McFarland also returned home, dying in Margaretville in 1914. Addie Loughran Scott did stay, marrying James H. Morrison in 1890.

 

140 years ago today, the Bovina column of the October 5, 1880 Stamford Mirror reported that "Dr. Dickson purchased a building lot of Rev. J. Kennedy, adjoining A.F. McPherson. Which of the fair ones are interested in that transaction?" This lot is where within the next year the building that is now the Brushland Eating House was constructed.

 

199 years ago today, on October 6, 1821, Nancy Armstrong Miller was born, the daughter of John Armstrong and Isabella Coulter. She married John Thomas Miller in 1949. They would have six children, one of whom died in infancy. Nancy died in 1868, leaving five children, ranging from 14 to 2 years old. Her last surviving child was Elizabeth, known later in life as Lib Blair. Lib died in 1965 when she was just shy of 99 years old. And in the interest of full disclosure, Nancy Miller is my three greats grandmother.

 

122 years ago, the October 7, 1898 Andes Recorder Bovina column reported that "George Forman, who lives at Abram Brandow’s, while out hunting recently, found Alex. Hilson’s money drawer which was taken from his safe when his store was robbed." It was found in the area of East Bramley Mountain Road. The robbery had taken place over a year and a half earlier in March 1897.

 

Fifty-six years ago today, the Bovina column of the October 8, 1964 Delaware Republican-Express reported that "Mr. and Mrs. Russell Ryder of the Bronx spent the weekend at their summer home here." This is now the home of Dario and Briana Riera.

 

132 years ago today, the October 9, 1888 Stamford Mirror reported that "D.J. Miller, of Bovina, has filled a 70 ton silo, the first one in that town."

 

191 years ago today, on October 10, 1829, Andrew Archibald, the ancestor of the Archibalds in Bovina, died at the age of 83. He was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland in 1745. He married Grace Hart in Scotland in 1778 where their children were born. Andrew is buried in Bovina in the Associate Presbyterian Church cemetery at Reinertsen Hill Road.

 

115 years ago today, the Delaware Gazette for October 11, 1905, reported that "Dr. Young of New York has purchased the practice of Dr. Rabuck, Bovina Centre, and taken possession. He will occupy Dr. Rabuck's furnished apartments in J.W. Coulter's house for the present. Dr. Rabuck will not practice for a time on account of nervous trouble." For more information on Drs. Rabuck and Young, visit the Bovina History Blog at http://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-succession-of-physicians-bovina.html.

 

200 years ago today, on October 12, 1820, this bill was submitted for the surveying of the town of Bovina. The total was was $67, though it appears that there is a math error, since the total written looks like $77. The bill includes $2.25 for rum for the surveyors.

 

Forty-nine years ago today, the Bovina column of the October 13, 1971 Stamford Mirror Recorder reported on a couple of its citizens' travels: "Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Thomas left Wednesday for a trip to the west coast." The same column reported a return: "Mr. and Mrs. Clark lay have returned form a vacation trip to Wisconsin where they visited relatives."

 

157 years ago today, on October 14, 1863, Robert Dysart died on Folly Island, South Carolina of typhoid fever while serving in the 144th NY Infantry. More information about Robert can be found at the Bovina NY History Blog at http://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2013/12/illegitimate-child-of-robert-dysart.html

 

146 years ago today, on October 15, 1874, as later reported in the Delaware Gazette, "Mr. Alexander Liddle, of Bovina, was using his new horse power thresher at the barn of Mr. John O. Liddle, of Andes, in feeding the machine his right hand came in contact with the knives of the revolving cylinder, and was instantly torn into shreds, as high as and above the wrist. Amputation of the arm was rendered necessary and was performed the same evening by Drs. Wight and Crawford, while the patient was narcotized by ether. - Mr. Liddle was able to ride home the next day, and at last accounts was doing as well as could be expected." This Alexander Liddle likely was the son of John O. Liddle. Alexander was a Civil War veteran. He would survive this accident 44 years, dying in 1918.

 

Seventy-nine years ago today, the Bovina column in the October 16, 1941 Delaware Republican included this item: "The ladies of the U.P. Church are serving a chicken pie supper at the church parlors, October 21, beginning at five-thirty p.m."

 

Eighty years ago today, on the Bovina column of the October 17, 1940 Delaware Republican reported that "John McCune has been ill the past week. David Roberts has been caring for the U.P. Church in his stead." John McCune died in 1942.

 

200 years ago today, on October 18, 1820, Adam Kedzie died in Bovina at age 31.  On December 6, his wife Mary, administratrix of his estate, along with his two brothers, James and William  auctioned off Adam's horses, cattle, sheep and farming utensils at a public auction.  Mary died in 1830.

 

The Catskill Mountain News reported the arrest of "'Billy' Reed of Bovina' 108 years ago on October 19, 1912. He was arrested "on the charge of public intoxication and sentenced … to 30 days in Delhi jail…" The paper went on to note that this "must seem like going home to Billy." Reed appeared in the 1910 census for Bovina, listed as a servant in the home of Frank and Agnes Coulter.

 

105 years ago today, the October 20, 1915 Delaware Gazette reported the following: "The body of James D. Boyd, late of Bovina was brought here from New York last Friday for interment. He went to New York four weeks ago and was operated on for gall stones and seemed to be recovering until last week when he died, Thursday. A widow and three grown daughters survive, also four sisters, Mrs. Albert Strickland and Miss Flora Boyd of ‘Delhi, Mrs. E. Coan of Bloomville, and a brother F. M. Boyd of East Meredith. His age was 63 years. The remains were taken to Bovina Center Saturday where the funeral and burial took place." James was 62 years old at his passing.

 

Eighty-seven years ago today, the Bovina column in the October 21, 1943 Delaware Republican-Express carried this item: "War Ration Box No. 4 will be issued at the Bovina Center School on Friday, Oct. 29th, from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m, and on Saturday, Oct. 30th, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bring War Ration Book 3 properly filled out. Applications for War Ration Book 4 may be secured at the stores or at the Post Office or the schools. Fill out only one application for each family group."

 

131 years ago today, the October 22, 1889 Stamford Mirror had the following item: "Alexander White, an extensive farmer at Belle Plaine, Iowa, has been visiting friends in Bovina, it being nineteen years since he was home last. He expects to bid his aged mother a last farewell. She is the oldest lady in Bovina, being upwards of ninety years of age. In return home, he expects to visit, in Chicago, his cousins, the Rev. John Graham's sons." Mrs. White, born Anna Graham in Scotland in 1799, survived her son's visit by almost 4 years, dying in 1893 when she was 94.

 

200 years ago today, on October 23, 1820, Mary Ann McPherson was born in Bovina, the daughter of Alexander McPherson and Eliza Yeomans. She married James Rutherford in 1847 and died in Franklin, NY in 1902 at the age of 81.

 

Ninety-one years ago today, on October 24, 1929, as later reported in the Bovina Center column of the Delaware Republican, "Adam Laidlaw and family, Mr. and Mrs. Humbert of New York were at Howe Caverns on Thursday."

 

111 years ago today, on October 25, 1909, as later reported in the Catskill Mountain News, "Mr and Mrs. E.G. Gladstone and Mr. and Mrs. William J. Doig of Bovina Centre were guests at the home of James Coulter on Wednesday [in Margaretville] while enroute to Colorado where they will reside hereafter."

 

200 years ago today, October 26, 1820, Andrew T. Thomson was born, the son of Andrew Thomson and Elizabeth Rutherford. He married Elizabeth Dunn and died June 6, 1861.

 

109 years ago, the Bovina column of the Andes Recorder for October 27, 1911 reported that "Miss Jennie E. Hoy is visiting Andes relatives." She wasn't the only person reported as going to Andes. The same column noted that "J.T. Barnhart made a trip to Andes early in the week." Also reported in Andes during the past week were Mrs. Alex Crosier and daughter and Thomas C. Strangeway. The latter was there to purchase two cows.

 

Sixty-six years ago today, the October 28, 1954 Delaware Republican-Express reported that "Former Bovina Pastor Dies." Rev. W.L.C. Samson, who had been pastor of the Bovina UP Church from 1895 to 1906, died "in Pittsburg, Pa., where he had preached until he was past 90." After he left Bovina, he was in California until 1914 then moved on to Pittsburgh. 

 

One hundred years ago today, October 29, 1920, William J. Storie hosted a Halloween Party. This is the invitation received by my grandmother, Anna Bell Calhoun.  

 

185 years ago today, a notice dated October 30, 1835 was posted in the Delaware Gazetter: "Application will be made to the next Legislature of the State of New York, by the Directors of the Bovina Subscription Library, for an act of incorporation." It was signed by Adam Scott, Samuel Gordon and Andrew McFarland.

 

200 years ago today, October 31, 1820, Jannet Rutherford was born, the daughter of James Rutherford and Jennet Thomson. She died December 31, 1864 at age of 44.

Non-Bovina Bovina Postcards

Every once in a while, someone will alert me to a Bovina postcard. Often they end up being ones I have seen (though please never assume that - keep alerting me to cards). 

But occasionally, I get an alert to a card I've never seen before. Recently, Joan Burns gave me a postcard of Bovina and wanted to know where the view on the card was located. I quickly realized that it was a generic postcard view. I have scanned 3 of these in the past decade. One of the big clues is the text that says "Greetings from Bovina Center, N.Y." or "Greetings from Bovina, N.Y." It is clear that it was simply stamped on the generic card. The text showing a genuine view of Bovina is printed on the card, not stamped. 

Here's the postcard (it has a 1933 postmark) that Joan Burns gave me:

This undated postcard came from Chuck McIntosh. 

I briefly wondered if it was Bovina because it had a very slight resemblance to this view (this is County Route 6 just outside of the Bovina Center hamlet and just before you get to Russell Hill Road):

But I highly doubt the color image is from Bovina, though the merchant selling this card may have chosen the design for that reason. 

And from 1929 is this view of a child with sheep, also from Chuck McIntosh. In the 19th century, Bovina had a lot of sheep but that population dropped significantly and in the 20th century there were few sheep. 

I'm always on the lookout for new postcard views of Bovina, so keep them coming!

October 1920 - 100 Years Ago "in that Thriving Town"

The news reported by the Andes Recorder about Bovina from 100 years ago this month included the rather sudden closing of the Dry Milk Plant, which was behind the creamery.

October 1, 1920
• It is stated that the Dry Milk company will refuse to take any milk after October 1.
• Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Thomson are spending the week at Patchogue, Long Island.
• Robert R. Gladstone moved Wednesday to the Ella Miller house which he recently purchased.
• Dixon Thomson has had his residence (the Dr. Phinney house) treated to a new dress of paint.
• Miss Jennie E. Miller’s sale held on Tuesday was largely attended and good prices were received.
• Miss Jennie Miller, who recently sold her house, has taken a room at Thomas Gordon’s and will board with them.

Bovina Man Has an Accident
    Wednesday morning while James Robson, on the Luddington farm near Lake Delaware, was after his cows and was carrying a lantern he fell and landed on the lantern.  His side was injured and it is thought that a rib or two was cracked.  The lantern was a wreck.

Native of Bovina Dead
Professor James E. Hastings Passed Away at Cape May, NJ
    Professor James B. Hastings died on Friday September 24, after a brief illness, at his home at Cape May, NJ.  No details concerning his sickness have been received, and a letter no later than Tuesday stated that he was in good health.  The body was taken to Franklin, where interment was made Tuesday in the Ouleout Valley cemetery.
    Professor Hastings was 60 years of age and was a native of Bovina, his parents being the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Hastings. He was a graduate of the Delaware Literary institute and of Hamilton college.  His life work was that of a teacher.  For several years he was an instructor in the D.L.I. at Franklin and also at Stamford, Hobart and Davenport and for the past 17 years he had been teaching at Cape May.
    Surviving are three brothers, Elmer of Saranac Lake, William E. of Oneonta, and Milton of Bovina; also one sister, Miss Jane M. Hastings of Fleischmanns.  His wife, who was Miss Jessie Sherman of Davenport, died about 13 years ago.

October 8, 1920
• Lancelot Thomson has been on the sick list, but is out again.
• Mrs. John Blair is on the sick list with a nurse in attendance.
• Born to Mr. and Mrs. Emil Schneider on October 1, a daughter.
• Mrs. Frank Coulter, who has been on the sick list, is improving.
• James A. Gow was home from Charlotteville from Saturday until Wednesday.
• Donald Lee has resumed his studies at Cornell University. His brother, Edgar, is taking the agricultural course at Cornell.

Bovina Dry Milk Closed
    Two days before October 1, the Dry Milk company notified the directors of the Bovina Center Co-Op creamery that they would not take the milk after October 1.  Their contract provided that they must give 30 days notice.  Dan Franklin is now getting the cream but the skim milk is either taken home by the farmer or allowed to run down the creek.  The Dry Milk plant is closed.  They had the cheek to offer 20 cents for skim milk.  An autopsy should be performed to see if the company does not have enlargement of the heart.

October 15, 1920
• David Currie is on the sick list.
• The new town roller arrived Friday.
• Nelson Siring is doing concrete work in town.
• The Dry Milk Co is painting the interior of their plant.
• Mr. Morrison, our new blacksmith, moved his family here this week from Charlotville.

October 22, 1920
• About 460 voters are registered this year in Bovina.
• Mr. and Mrs. Howden moved Wednesday to the Oliver house on the Gerry estate.  A surprise party was given Mrs. Howden at Rev. Crawford’s.
• Mrs. Edward L. Coulter died at her home in Bovina on Friday, October 15 at the age of 67 years.  She had been in poor health for a number of years and last Wednesday she had a shock and never regained consciousness.  She was born on Coulter Brook, her maiden name being Jane Forrest. She leaves a husband and two sons.  The funeral was held Monday with interment in the Bovina Center cemetery.

Bovina Farm Sold
    Mrs. Stephen R. Seacord has sold the Seacord homestead farm in southern Bovina to Milton Davis, of Kansas. The sale includes the stock and other personal property and the price received was $8,000.  The new owner is already in possession.  Mrs. Seacord expects to remain in part of the house for the present.

October 29, 1920
• Voters in Bovina next Tuesday will receive four ballots – presidential, the state ticket, amendments and a town proposition.
• The directors of the Bovina Center Co-Operative Creamery have leased the plant to Dan Franklin, to begin with November 1.
• The Dry Milk Co have discharged all their men except four and these go as soon as the work of taking the can washer and ice machine out of the creamery is completed.
• Mrs. John L. Gordon died at her home in New York City on Sabbath morning, October 24, from cancer of the liver.  She was the daughter of William Rogers and her summers since early childhood had been spent at Lake Delaware.  She leaves two sons.

This Day in Bovina for September 2020

Fifty-four years ago today, the September 1, 1966 Delaware Republican-Express reported in its Bovina column that "Mrs. Belle Dickson of Delhi is visiting her sister, Mrs. Helena Hilson."

 

119 years ago today, on September 2, 1901, as later reported in the Delaware Gazette, "The Bovina and Elk Creek teams played a good game of baseball on the Academy grounds…notwithstanding the rather unfavorable weather. At the close of the ninth inning the score stood at a tie. Consequently the tenth inning had to be played to settle the contest. It was closely contested, but the Bovina boys won the score, standing 10 to 9."

 

169 years ago today, James Renwick posted an ad dated September 3, 1851 to sell his farm: "The subscriber offers for sale the Farm on which he now resides, in the town of Bovina, containing about 180 acres. There are two good dwelling houses and three good barns and other out buildings. It is mostly fence with stone wall. Also, a large orchard of bearing apple trees - well watered and well calculated for a grain or dairy farm. Terms easy. For further particulars enquire of the subscriber. He would be willing to take a small farm in part payment." This farm was on what is now Pink Street, possibly around the area of Suits-Us farm. He had leased it from the Livingston family since about 1822.

 

151 years ago today, the Delaware Republican reported in its issue for September 4, 1869 under the headline "Lightning Raid on a Sugar Camp" that "The lightning struck a Maple Sugar Camp belonging to Mr. John T. Miller, Bovina, felling some fifty trees."

 

Sixty-eight years ago today, the Bovina column in the September 5, 1952 Catskill Mountain News reported that "Mrs. William Sellhorn Sr., accompanied by Mrs. William Sellhorn Jr., Monica and Renate Rabeler, grandchildren of the former Sellhorn, are leaving for New Bern, N.C. on Tuesday. They will return the two children to the home of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alex Rabeler Jr., after spending several weeks in the South. The Mrs. Sellhorns will visit here for some time before returning home."

 

Eighty-five years ago today, the September 6, 1935 Catskill Mountain reported in its Bovina column that "Bovina has several new students starting in this year at Delaware Academy."

 

114 years ago today, the September 7, 1906 Catskill Mountain News carried this item under the headline "Dr. Lee Back to Bovina:" "Will Spend the Remaining Years of Hist Life There. Rev. James B. Lee, D.D., for thirty-two years pastor of the United Presbyterian church in Bovina Centre, previous to 1888, was given a farewell reception at Franklinville, where he has been since leaving Bovina, Wednesday evening of last week. Dr. Lee had contemplated for some time spending the remainder of his life among the Bovina hills and with Mrs. Lee will soon take up his residence there. He will occupy rooms in George Gladstone's house, better known as the Kennedy House." Lee died in 1914.

 

134 years ago today, the September 8, 1886 Delaware Gazette reported that "The beautiful village in the town of Bovina, previously known as Brushland, will hereafter be known as Bovina Centre. Brushland was a misnomer for the place, for it was never a land of brush but always a land of cattle. We understand that it was through the personal efforts of Rev. Dr. Lee that the name has been changed from Brushland to Bovina Centre by the Postmaster General. We congratulate the inhabitants of our neighboring village on this change of names, for it certainly is much more appropriate." Brushland got its name from Alexander Brush, the first settler in what is now Bovina Center. Bovina Center was known as Brushland from 1849 to this reported change in 1886.

 

152 years ago today, on September 9, 1868, Margaret Ellen Strangeway was born in New Jersey, the daughter of the Reverend William Strangeway and Margaret T. Dunn. Her parents were from Delaware County but were living in New Jersey at the time of Margaret's birth. She was married to Oscar A. Felton in 1892 and they lived for some time in Bovina near Lake Delaware. She had two daughters, both of whom precedeased her. She died in 1943 in Walton and was buried in Bovina. Her husband survived until 1950.

 

107 years ago today, on September 10, 1913, as later reported in the Delaware Gazette, "…a Downsville man named W.C. O'Brien, who was employed in the blacksmith shop of Gideon Miller, Bovina Center, suddenly fell unconscious while at work in the shop. He did not revive and died about two hours later."

 

157 years ago today, on September 11, 1863, William McCune, trustee for Bovina School District Number 2 (Pink Street) signed this order to pay Elisabeth Colgan $18.12 for teaching in the school for a four-month period.  

 

120 years ago today, the September 12, 1900 Delaware Gazette reported that "Commodore Elbridge T. Gerry has ordered the manager of his estate at Lake Delaware to have the public highway between Bloomville and Bovina Center repaired, he himself paying for the same, preparatory to his coming to his country seat at that place, which will be in the near future. It is his purpose to come over the Ulster & Delaware railroad to Bloomville and from there by carriage to Lake Delaware."

 

136 years ago today, the Bovina column of the September 13, 1890 Delaware Republican reported that "Rev. Mason W. Pressly is expecting a windmill, and intends to have running water in his house."

 

156 years ago today, on September 14, 1864, Supervisor Alexander Storie issued this receipt to pay Miss Jeanette Wilbur for teaching in the District 11 school (Coulter Brook).

 

141 years ago today, on the afternoon of September 15, 1881, Mrs. Orr Sloan died at the home of her son-in-law, James Aitkin in what is now Bovina Center. She was born Sarah Collins in Belfast, Ireland.

 

Sixty-seven 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. 

 

186 years ago today, the September 17, 1834 Delaware Gazette had the following item: "Prolific - Mr. Robert Mitchell of Bovina, in this county, has raised, the present season, three calves from one cow. It is seldom that an instance of this kind occurs, particularly where the calves all live and do well, as in this case."

 

Forty-six years ago today, the Bovina column in the September 18, 1974 Stamford Mirror Recorder reported that "Burns Brothers have donated an eleven-week-old calf to be raffled off as a benefit for the Bovina fire department. The winner may decide to have the calf cut and wrapped or on the hoof. Tickets may be purchased from any fireman for $1 donation. The drawing will be held at the "Oktoberfest” on Oct. 13 at Catskill ski slope."

 

131 years ago today, the September 19, 1889 Hobart Independent reported "Bovina is a great town for accidents happening to those who go 'sparking.' Recently, a young man, after bidding his sweetheart a fond adieu, fell down stairs. People in the neighborhood thought it was an earthquake, but it was only 150 pounds falling about ten feet."

 

117 years ago today, on September 20, 1903, as later reported in the Delaware Gazette, "Stephen Russell died at his residence…in the 82d year of his age. He had always lived in Bovina, being born in that town January 1822. Mr. Russell was a very substantial farmer and one of the excellent citizens of the locality. His wife died a few years ago, but he is survived by a family of several children."

 

110  years ago today, the September 21, 1910 Delaware Gazette reported on "An Unhappy Matter" concerning a former Bovina resident. "Charles Oliver, with a very large family, recently moved from Bovina into a house on the rear of the Pitcher block [not sure, but likely this was in Delhi]. Their habits were soon found not very creditable. Sunday evening about a dozen chickens, two ducks and a saw were stolen from John Strangeways. Monday evening Sheriff Austin and Police Justice Hewitt went to the Oliver house. When they rapped at the door the light was put out. The sheriff demanded entrance and they were admitted. They found the saw, and the chickens were on the table. Oliver admitted that he stole the saw and five chickens but denied as to the rest. He is notorious for not being willing to work. In Bovina a notice was tacked on the door to move out or go to work, signed White Caps. It is said they are preparing to go to Walton. There are seven or eight children living, and it is said a dozen or fifteen have been born."

 

Sixty-seven years ago today, on September 22, 1953, the Democrats and Republicans in Bovina held their primaries and selected these slates for town office. 

 

Fifty-five years ago today, the Bovina column of the September 23, 1965 Delaware Republican Express reported that "Mr. and Mrs. Jack Hilson and Christine attended the World's Fair the past week-end." The same column also reported that "Mrs. Agnes Burns visited a few days at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Fred Phillips in Latham (Norma Phillips is Agnes' daughter).

 

Fifty-six years ago today, the September 24, 1964 issue of the Delaware Republican-Express carried this article about the hiring of Gus Pelletier to teach English at Delhi Tech (now SUNY Delhi). 

 

150 years ago today, on September 25, 1870, Margaret Miller Doig gave birth to twin boys, James Lee and John Timothy Doig. Their father was William S. Doig. Margaret died when the boys were 23 years old. James Lee Doig married Emma Louise Smith in 1916 and died in 1953. John Timothy died in Detroit, Michigan in 1923. Both brothers are buried in Bovina.

 

112 years ago today, on September 26, 1908, as later reported in the Delaware Gazette, "there arrived in Delhi….from Montana, an antelope 3 months old. It appeared to have been well taken care of on its long trip, and was quite a curiosity to a good many of our citizens, especially the children. It was sent to the father of Mr. Ed. Russell, in Bovina, on the Andes stage Monday morning."

 

163 years ago today, late the night before or early on September 27, 1857, as later reported in the Delaware Gazette, "the proceeds of a year's produce of the farm of John Bramley, of Bovina, was burned to the ground. It is believed to have been the work of an incendiary, but nothing has occurred to fix the crime upon any individual."

 

Sixty-three years ago today, on September 28, 1957, Rev. David Hamilton Murray died in Hancock. The last surviving child of Bovina natives Henry Murray and Elizabeth Coulter, he was born in Andes in 1872. He married Jessie M. Cheney. He is buried near his parents in the Bovina Cemetery.

 

212 years ago today, on September 29, 1808, James Coulter was born, the last child of early Bovina settlers Francis and Nancy (Glendenning) Coulter. He also was the last surviving child of Francis and Nancy, dying in 1898 at the age of 90. He married Nancy D. Thompson in 1832. She predeceased him in 1891. They would have 13 children, six of whom survived their father. James and Nancy lost a son in the Civil War (Solomon) and another to tuberculosis (Andrew).

 

Seventy-one years ago today, the September 30, 1949 Catskill Mountain News reported that in Bovina, "Rains which have benefitted pastures, meadows and lawns have not been sufficient to raise water where springs and wells have gone dry."

 

Bovina Ex-Pats - the Irvine Brothers

John A. (1867-1918) and Elizabeth Richards Irvine (1866-1940) were the parents of five children, all born in Bovina on the Gerry estate, where Mr. Irvine was the superintendent of the estate.. They had four sons, William, Lester, John Clifton, and Edgar Lloyd and one daughter. The daughter was Isabell Irvine Russell, wife of Cecil Russell and long-time proprietor with her husband and daughter of Russell’s Store.

Clifton and William Irvine

I think these are the three older Irvine brothers: Lester, Clifton and William

Isabell and Lloyd Irvine

The Irvine family lived on the Gerry estate until late 1899 when John Irvine bought the Black family farm on Coulter Brook. The family had the farm for just under 20 years. John Irvine served as Bovina’s town supervisor from 1899-1907. He was the first farmer to bring his milk to the new creamery in Bovina Center in 1902. Tragically, John committed suicide on New Year’s Day, 1918, likely due to depression over health issues.

William Irvine

Three out of John’s four sons ended up moving west, settling in Washington State. William, Clifton and Lloyd (Isabell’s twin) all settled there.

William Irvine, the eldest, was the first to move west. He moved to Seattle in 1909, after graduating from New York State University as a CPA. He worked for the Fisher Trading Company, rising to the position of secretary and assistant to the president of the Fisher Flouring Mills. His obituary noted that he “occupied a commanding position in the world of business. As a personality he was no less a distinguished figure. He was interested in many things and active in many organizations. A man of unusual charm, his friends numbered legion…” In January 1922, he left the United States to travel to Japan and China and the Phillipines in his function as director of ceremonies for the Shriners. 

William became ill in 1925 when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He traveled to Rochester, Minnesota twice for surgery. As reported in the Andes Recorder in December 1925, “he was on the operation table three hours and went through a very painful and trying ordeal, only a local anaesthetic being used so that he was conscious during the entire time.” Bill was well enough the following November to travel east with his wife to visit his mother in Bovina. In August 1928, Irvine was back to the Mayo clinic for a second operation. His mother made a trip to Rochester, Minnesota to see him in September. Bill, with his wife and brother Cliff made the trip back to Seattle in October.

Unfortunately, all the effort to save Bill was for naught and he died on May 7, 1929 in Seattle at the age of 41. 

 

John Clifton Irvine, born in Bovina in 1892, grew up in Bovina and when he was 21, traveled to Seattle, Washington with his brother Will. Known as Clifton, he was living in Snoqualmie Falls, Washington during World War One, working for the Snoqualmie Falls Lumber Company. He was drafted into service and spent time overseas, returning to Washington after the war. When he went back west, his brother Lloyd accompanied him, as did Millard Blair (Helen Thomson’s brother). He married Anne Maloney in 1921. They had one son. Clifton died in March 1978 after a series of strokes at the age of 84.

As noted above, Edgar Lloyd Irvine, Isabell Russell’s twin brother, decided to join his brothers in the west, traveling with Clifton in the summer of 1919. He worked for Fisher Flouring Mills company in Seattle. At the age of 52, Lloyd was married and had four children. He died in January 1980, the last surviving Irvine brother.

Elizabeth Irvine made at least two visits to her sons in Seattle. She made a trip in December 1920, traveling with her sister-in-law, Mrs. W.T. Black. She went again after her son William’s second brain surgery in 1928.

The one brother who stayed east was Lester Irvine. He married Marie Hood in 1913 and they had one daughter, Eleanor (Eleanor married Don Volante and became the first, and to date only, female mayor of Delhi). Lester graduated from Delaware Academy and later graduated from the U.S. College of Veterinary Surgery in Washington, DC. He worked with Dr. Hamilton in Delhi and later took a post graduate course, starting his practice in 1918. His obituary noted that at the time of his death he was the oldest practicing veterinarian in years of service in Delaware County. Lester died in 1961 at the age of 71.

September 1920 - 100 Years Ago "in that Thriving Town"

Here's what was going on in Bovina 100 years ago this month, as reported in the Andes Recorder. 

September 3, 1920
• A storm here Tuesday accompanied by high wind did some damage.
• A picnic was held at Lake Delaware Thursday under the auspices of the church.
• Miss Elizabeth Thompson, is packing her household goods to be shipped to Pittsburgh, Penn.
• Harry Robson is having his residence (the John R. Hoy house) treated to a new dress of paint.
• Charles F. McPherson, in upper Bovina, had his foot badly injured recently by a large stone falling on it.
• Mrs. Frances Whetmore, representative of the department of health, is in town this week giving health talks.
• Miss Jennie Miller has sold her house and a few acres of land located just below Bovina Center to William Burns for $1,200.  The place was occupied by Uncle David Miller for many years.
• Thomas Gordon will attend the dedication of the New York monument at Antietam on September 17, as a representative of his regiment the 79th.  The monument is for the 88 New York regiments participating in this important battle of the civil war.

Bovina Town Picnic
A large crowd of people – probably 1,000 – from the town of Bovina and from the neighboring towns enjoyed a community picnic last Thursday at Bovina Center.  Addresses were made by Assemblyman Long, Ernest Dann of the Farm Bureau and Ernest Bergman, a New York lawyer who spends his vacation with his brother, Arthur Bergman, in upper Bovina, a ball game in which Andes own, and races and sports of various kinds, were features of the day.

September 10, 1920
• Born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Russell in Bovina Center, September 3 a son.
• Ernest Bergman, wife and son ended their vacation and returned to New York on Tuesday.
• Mrs. John L. Gordon, who had spent six weeks at Thomas Gordon’s, return to New York on Tuesday.
• Beatrice Hoy, Wilimina Archibald, Freda Joslin and William Gordon have entered Delaware academy, and Henrietta and Catharine Howden go to Andes.
• Everett McPherson, who has been away from Bovina for a number of years, has purchased the Thomas Miller house and lot in the upper part of the village and will open a blacksmith shop here.
• Mrs. Baldwin, formerly Mary Dickson, who has just returned from her wedding trip spent in Europe, visited her mother, Mrs. G.J. Dickson, the past week.  She and her husband will both teach near New York.
• The schools of the town opened on Tuesday with teachers as follows, viz: Helen Knox and Ruth Ormiston, the Center school; Mrs. Benj Goodman at Lake Delaware; Margaret Reynolds in E.L. Coulter district; Edith Liddle, Coulter Brook; Elizabeth Strangeway, Miller avenue; Hazel Russell, Pink street; Miss Dean, Armstrong district; No 9 contracts with Maynard district.

September 17, 1920
• Frank VanDusen is moving from the Ella Miller house to rooms in the old Strangeway store.
• Thomas Gordon left this week to attend the dedication of the monument for the New York regiments at Antietam.
• William Johnston in upper Bovina, is having his farm house treated to a new dress of paint.  The work is being done by S.D. Oliver and son.
• Robert R. Gladstone has purchased the house occupied by the late Mrs. Ella Miller ad will move from the Jennie Miller house about October 1st.
• John Aitkens has been laid up the past week with a carbuncle on his leg.  His son Harold, cut his knee on a piece of old tin and has had blood poisoning.
• Mrs. James L. Coulter, of New Wilmington, Penn. Spent over Sabbath with old friends in town.  A surprise party with about 40 in attendance was held for her at the home of Mrs. Irvine Monday afternoon.

September 24, 1920
• Everett Joslin has moved into part of Will Armstrong’s house, early opposite the Strangeway store.
• Laurie Terry, of Hamden, has moved from Hamden, to rooms in part of the Dennis house. He will assist his brother in the garage.
• There was no school Monday and Tuesday in the primary department of the Center school, owing to the illness of the teacher, Ruth Ormiston.
• The Bovina Town Board held a meeting Saturday and voted to lease a roller at $20 a day. At the coming general election the question of buying the roller will be submitted to the voters for their decision.