This Day in Bovina for January 2022

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

181 years ago today, on January 1, 1841, the Trustees of Bovina school district number 9, located on Cape Horn Road, provided this document showing the books in the school's library. Books included Olden Times of New York, Parleys School History, Memoir of Harrison,  and Weems Washington. The latter book was noted for introducing several myths about George Washington, including the famous cherry tree incident.  

This Bovina column appeared 139 years ago today in the January 2, 1883 Stamford Mirror. The last item mentions that Jim has a "felon on his right hand." A felon was an infection/abscess on the fingertip. 

 

168 years ago today, the January 3, 1854 Bloomville Mirror carried this report of an "Anti-Rent Meeting in Bovina" held the previous month. The Anti-Rent 'War' had been a decade before but farmers still were paying rents well after, as this article demonstrates. 

 

108 years ago today, on January 4, 1915, Mrs. George Hewitt, of Margaretville, died at the home of Stephen R. Seacord in southern Bovina. She had arrived a few days earlier to attend the January 1 marriage of Stephen Seacord's daughter Rosanna to John Sweet.  On December 28 she became ill with paralysis and never recovered. Mrs. Hewitt was born Cornelia Adee in Bovina 64 years earlier. She first married John Hewitt in 1876. He died in 1887. About eight years later, she married her late husband’s brother, George. She was the second of George’s four wives.  Cornelia’s funeral was held in the Methodist church (where Gert Hall’s home now stands) and she was buried in the Bovina cemetery.

 

120 years ago, on January 5, 1902, William Wilson Hoy and his wife were guests of his mother, Mrs. John R. Hoy, in Bovina.  Three days later, on January 8, William sailed from New York for London, where he had accepted a position as chief engineer of the Burmah [sic] Oil Company of London.  As later reported in the Andes Recorder, “From London he will proceed to India, where he will remain until surveys are completed, and has to report again at London in September. He receives $500 a month and expenses.” This image of William is from 1895. 

 

123 years ago today on January 6, 1899, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "Anna, little daughter of Edwin C. Burgin died….Her death was a particularly sad one, as she die[d] under the influence of ether, which had been given her to perform an operation on her leg." Anna was seven years old. She was a sister of Edwin 'Ted' Burgin (1904-1993), the father of Cliff Burgin. Obviously, Ted never knew this sister, given she died five years before he was born.

 

157 years ago today, January 7, 1865, Joseph Raitt signed this statement attesting that he had received a ten-dollar bill that was later "pronounced by the cashier of the Delaware Bank to be a counterfeit." 

 

133 years ago today, the Bovina column in the January 8, 1889 Stamford Mirror reported that "J.N. Laing, Andrew Doig, and Jennet E. Hoy are going to California." James Nevin Laing was 29 when he made his trip, but he came back and settled in the area, dying in Delhi in 1943. The Andrew Doig who went with him probably was Andrew Archibald Doig, who also was 29 when this trip took place. He settled in Kansas. And Jennett probably was Jennette Ellen Hoy, who had just turned 30 when this item appeared. She too came back to Bovina and later in life married Sloan Archibald. She died in 1942.

 

111 years ago today, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, " The annual meeting of the Bovina Center Telephone company was held Monday [January 9, 1911] and directors elected are as follows: Thomas Ormiston, O.W. Hill, A.T. Archibald for three years; John W. Blair, M. Every, Fred W. Thomson, for two years. At a meeting of the board of directors Thomas Ormiston was chosen president and general manager, and Walter G. Coulter, secretary and treasurer."

 

119 years ago, on January 10, 1903, Jacob Cook died at the home of F.C. Armstrong.  Little is known about him. He was single and had come to the United States from Switzerland about 30 years previously.  The report of his death in the Andes Recorder had his first name wrong, calling him "Joseph Cooke."  The paper went on to note that he died "with pneumonia" and that "the doctor was called Friday and saw that death must be the result."  He was about 55 years old and was working, as the Recorder noted "At different times … in Bovina."  He was "buried in the County House burying ground."

 

139 years ago today, on January 11, 1883, as later reported in the Stamford Mirror, " Miss Nancy Wight, a sister of James Wight, of Lake Delaware, was buried in the cemetery near Brushland … having died at Newark, N.J., where she has resided for some years past."

 

Ninety-three years ago today, the January 12, 1929 Delaware Republican carried in its Bovina column this item: "Kenneth Kaufman went to New York Saturday to attend the auto show."

 

The Andes Recorder reported ninety-four years ago today, on January 13, 1928, that “Hilson Brothers will remodel their general store building. A cellar will be dug under it in order to install a furnace and changes will be made to modernize the store. Part of the present structure has housed the mercantile business of three generations of Hilsons.”

 

126 years ago today, on January 14, 1896, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, Robert C. Scott was seriously ill with erysipelas of the head.  The paper reported that on the 14th his condition was unchanged but that “slight hopes are entertained for his recovery.” Scott died the following Sunday, January 19.  He was 84 years old. Erysipelas is a strep infection of the skin and includes a high fever, chills and vomiting. Robert was the son of Robert Scott and Mary (Miller) Scott. He married Janetta Hamilton and would have seven children with her. Janetta died in 1883.

 

144 years ago today, on January 15, 1878, Edgar Scott took out a chattel mortgage on a pair of black oxen, one new democrat wagon and one buggy wagon for $172.52, to be paid by James Kerr of Kortright. A democrat wagon is a light farm wagon with one or two seats, usually drawn by two horses. 

 

114 years ago today, on Thursday, January 16, 1908, as later reported by the Andes Recorder, “a pretty wedding took place at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James B. Thomson, when their dauter, Pheba Mae, became the wife of Robert Tweedie.”  The Recorder went on to note that “This was the first marriage in town under the new law.”  This new state law required that all persons wishing to marry had to obtain a marriage license from the clerk in the village, town or city in which the marriage took place and present it to the clergyman or other official carrying out the marriage. Robert and Phoebe May had six children. Unfortunately, Robert and Phoebe had been married only 18 years when Robert died in 1926.  Phoebe died 20 years later.

 

103 years ago today, on January 17, 1919, the Andes Recorder reported that Bovina's "Dr. Whitcomb has increased his charge for calls in the village to $1.50 and other calls accordingly."

 

125 years ago today, on January 18, 1897, Homer C. Burgin died in Binghamton at the age of 78. He was in Binghamton being treated for cancer, which had plagued him for several years.  He was married and widowed twice and left a son and two daughters.  Burgin is buried in Bovina.

 

Ninety-three years ago today, on January 19, 1929, as later reported in the Delaware Republican, "Mrs. Grace Dickson, wife of Delbert H. Dickson, died at her home in Bovina Center…aged 28 years. Mrs. Dickson underwent a serious operation at the Delhi hospital last year and had since been gradually failing, a recent attack of measles followed by pneumonia proving more than her frail constitution could withstand. Her death occurred on the anniversary of her marriage to Mr. Dickson."

 

Fifty-five years ago today, on January 20, 1967, Mr. and Mrs. James P. Cairns of Bovina Center were honored with an Open House to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. James Cairns was married to Mae Fisher on January 10, 1917 in Deposit, New York. The couple moved to Bovina in 1940. James worked on the Gerry Estate for many years, retiring in 1962. They had five children, including son Leonard. Mrs. Cairns died at the end of the year in December 1967. James passed away in 1972.

 

Sixty-eight years ago today, the Bovina column in the January 21, 1954 Stamford Mirror-Recorder reported that "Clifford Hall has had T.V. installed in his home."

 

Eighty years ago today, the January 22, 1942 issue of the Sidney (NY) Enterprise reported that "Girl Takes Up Duties as First Supervisor of Dairy Herd Group." The article went on: "First girl to become a dairy herd improvement association supervisor in Delaware county, Miss Beatrice Thomson of Bovina Center, is announced by the Delaware County Farm Bureau…Miss Thomson…is a graduate of the New York State Agricultural and technical Institute at Delhi and has been carrying on the bacteriological work at the Bovina Center creamery since her graduation." More about Bea was reported in the Bovina NY History Blog in June 2017: https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2017/06/meet-lady-cowculators-bovina-dairying.html

 

117 years ago today, on January 23, 1905, Mrs. Isabella Hoy died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Douglas Davidson of pneumonia.  She was 73.  The Andes Recorder reported that she had just returned a few days earlier from visiting her son at Oil City, Pennsylvania with a severe cold, a cold that "grew rapidly worse."  The Recorder noted that "Her maiden name was Isabella Miller and she was born in Bovina, in September, 1831.  About 1855 she was united in marriage with John R. Hoy, and he died September 30, 1901.  She is survived by three sons and two daughters……"

 

120 years ago, on January 24, 1902, an entertainment of the Bovina Centre Lecture Course was scheduled.  The Andes Recorder reported that "Among the promised features will be instrumental and vocal music, recitations and a debate, Resolved, 'that in civil affairs women should be allowed to vote on the same conditions on which men exercise the franchise.'” Unfortunately, the result of the debate was not reported.

 

161 years ago today, on January 25, 1861, Mary Margaret Archibald was born, the daughter of William Archibald and Margaret McDonald. She married Charles Oscar Boggs in 1881 and would have two children before she was widowed in 1891. Mary Boggs died in Bovina in 1945.

 

139 years ago today on January 26, 1883, as later reported in the Stamford Mirror, a farewell dance was held at Albert Adee's in upper Bovina. Here's the full report (who was going way, if any, was not reported): 

 

119 years ago, on January 27, 1903, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "Miss Jennie E. Miller started Tuesday for Norfolk, Virginia, where she will be connected with the United Presbyterian college for the education of the Freedmen.  She has charge of the buying for the boarding department." The Jennie referred to here likely is Jennette Elliott Miller (1841-1925), the daughter of David and Isabella Miller.

 

154 years ago today, the January 28, 1868 Bloomville Mirror carried this letter to the editor, dated January 16. This is the earliest newspaper reference I found to the infamous slander suit between Revs. Lee and Kennedy, which went to court in 1869. More about this case can be found in the Bovina NY History Blog at https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2013/03/kennedy-vs-lee-part-i-libel-of-slander.html and https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2013/03/kennedy-vs-lee-part-ii-bed-was-badly.html

 

Thomas Russell McFarland died 107 years ago today on January 29, 1915 at the family farm in uptown Bovina. Here's the obituary posted in the Delaware Republican for February 6, 1915: 

 

102 years ago today, the January 30, 1920 Oneonta Star, in its Delaware County News column, reported "At a meeting of the stockholders of the Bovina Center Creamery company, held in town yesterday, a proposition to sell the dry milk plant here to the firm which is operating it came up for consideration. After discussion a vote was taken and resulted in the defeat of the proposition." The dry milk plant stood behind the main creamery building.

 

142 years ago today, the "Bovina Locals" column in the Delaware Republican for January 31, 1880 reported that "The weather is very 'child-like and bland,' and how we are to tell when Spring commences, if this style of winter continues, is a question that perplexes the strongest minds, and all the reliable old weather sages, who in vain have prophesied the commencement of a hard winter at each change of moon for the past three months, have at least agreed that 'we will catch it sometime,' which remarkable conclusion is probably correct." 

Bovina Ex-Pats: Command Sergeant Major Helen Isabelle Johnston

    This month’s entry on Bovina Ex-pats is a little different from past entries, which have involved people long dead. This one involves a woman who has just passed away at the end of 2021. A woman with a remarkable career in the Women’s Army Corps and a pioneer for women in the army.

    Helen Isabelle Johnston was the daughter of T. George Johnston and Marjorie Shapley. She was born in Delhi in February 1931 and grew up on the Johnston family farm in the Mountain Brook area of Bovina, attending high school in Andes, where she graduated in 1949.

    In January 1952, she entered the U.S. Army in Binghamton. She served in the Women’s Army Corps for almost 30 years with distinction. She completed her basic training in Fort Lee, Virginia. After graduation, she was assigned as an assistant platoon sergeant in the Women’s Army Corps Basic Training Company.

This image of Helen was taken in September 1952 by Delhi photographer Bob Wyer, a few months after she enlisted.

    Helen went overseas in September 1954, working in Munich. In 1957, she came back to the states, working in recruiting in Providence, RI. She went to Albany in 1964 and in 1969 she came to Fort McClellan, Alabama. Helen remained there until 1975. She went back to Germany where she became the first female soldier to assume the position of Command Sergeant Major in an overseas assignment. She returned to For McClellan in 1977, assigned to the 548th Supply and Service Battalion. Helen retired from the army in July 1980.

MG Mary E. Clarke and CSM Helen "Johnnie" Johnston casing the colors on the Women's Army Corps on the parade field at Fort McClellan, AL on 21 March 1979. Photo Credit: US Army Women's Museum

    She received several medals during her time in the Army, including the Legion of Merit Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct National Defense Medal and the Occupation Medal. She was active in retirement, supporting such organizations as the Army Women's Museum, the Foundation and Friends of the Army Women's Museum, the League for Animal Welfare, Meals on Wheels, and numerous other charitable organizations. In November 2017, she was the grand marshal of the Calhoun County (Alabama) Veterans Day Parade.

    The U.S. Army Women’s Museum posted a quote from Helen on its Facebook page in December 2015 in which she does mention a major milestone in her career: “It's rather hard to pick one highlight as I had several during 28 plus years of service.  I have picked one so bear with me.  In 1974 when I was at the Sergeants Major Academy I was told I had to be reassigned to either Ft MClellan or Ft Jackson as they were the only places with female CSM slots.  I chose Ft McClellan and much to my surprise, in 1975 I was the first female CSM to be selected for duty in a combat service support unit overseas. I realized then that integration was really on the move.  My tour in Nurnberg was to a large maintenance battalion (1389 mostly male personnel) and the life affirming highlight was that gender did not make a difference as long as I did my job.”

    I may have met her when I was a young adult, but if I did, I don’t recall. But in January 2017, I had a long phone conversation with her. My purpose was to get more information about her brother Allan, who escaped from Nazi occupied France in WWII (see my blog at https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2017/06/faces-of-bovina-adventures-of-allan.html). When I asked, she said she couldn’t tell me much, then proceeded to tell me pretty much the entire dramatic story of her brother’s adventures. It also was during this conversation that she modestly told me a little bit about her army career. As I dug further after our phone call, I learned that her career path was impressive. We had some contact via e-mail and through Facebook over the next few years.

    Command Sergeant Major Johnston’s obituary is at Helen Isabelle Johnston Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information (klbrownfuneralhome.com)

    The Facebook page of the Friends of the Army Women’s Museum Association posted this tribute after Helen’s passing: “Command Sgt. Major Helen ‘Johnnie’ Johnston’s esteemed Army career blazed a trail for many of us to follow. Helen stepped up to the challenges of the integrated Army once the WAC ended and established a high bar for both women and men. Throughout her military career and following it, she mentored, guided and supported other Army women. Following her retirement, she became an active and engaged supporter of the organizations important to her and to so many of us—the WAC Museum and then the U.S. Army Women’s Museum and the Women's Army Corps Veterans Association, Chapter 62-Anniston. Her work has made a difference to women in innumerable ways. She will be greatly missed!”

January 1922 - 100 Years Ago in "That Thriving Town"

Here's what was happening in Bovina 100 years ago this month, as reported in the Andes Recorder:

January 6, 1922

• The village school opened Tuesday, after the holiday recess.

• 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.

• Dorothy Bergman, the ten-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bergman, in upper Bovina, was operated upon at the Delhi hospital last Thursday afternoon for appendicitis.

• Charles Boggs has finished his job as cheesemaker at the Bovina Center Co-Operative Creamery and returned to Andes.  Walter Wilson is the new cheese maker.  The company now getting the milk is the Delaware Cheese company.

Bovina Boy in Luck

William H. Irvine of Seattle, Wash. is to leave there about the middle of January for a trip to China, Japan, and the Philippine Islands, going as director of ceremonies for the Shriners, to put on initiations.  He will be away nearly two months and anticipates a fine trip of sight seeing in these foreign countries.  Mr. Irvine is the eldest son of the late John A. Irvine of Bovina. [He was the brother of Isabell Russell.]

January 13, 1922

• The ice harvesters have been at work this week filling the creamery ice house.

• Bovina had a young blizzard Wednesday and a snowfall of about a foot.  It was piled in drifts.

• Miss Louise Dennis had a sale of household goods Tuesday.  After a visit with relatives in Walton she will go to Virginia to live with her brother, John P. Dennis.

January 20, 1922

• Hilson Brothers are busy taking their annual inventory.

• Fletcher Davidson was at Hamden on Tuesday with C.S. Terry’s household goods.

• William C. Russell has sold his farm above the village of his son, Alfred Russell.

• Frank Myers, of Endicott, is here papering in the new house of Thos C. Strangeway [This is now the home of Jim and Peg Hilson].

• In Bovina Center there is no scramble to be postmaster and it looks as if the office would go begging.

• C.S. Terry, who recently sold his interest in the garage at this place, moved to Hamden this week. [This later was the garage of Clayton Thomas, then Wayne Gallant and then Heinz Bernecker.]

• Mrs. F.W. Hyatt, who has been at her former home in Yonkers for the past four months, returned home Wednesday.

• James Ackerley fell down the cellar stairs at his home in the lower part of the village last Thursday and fractured two ribs.

• Mrs. James D. Calhoun and her mother, Mrs. Kate Barnhart, have moved from the latter’s farm up Pink street, to the house recently purchased in the upper part of the village [now the Len and Ann Cairns home].  The son, Wilford Barnhart, has taken the farm.

January 27, 1922

• Robert Smith has moved into Will Hoy’s small tenant house.

• Born to Mr. and Mrs. Lester Hoy on January 19, a son – William.

• Fred Thomson has been tearing down the old Methodist parsonage this week preparatory to erecting a new bungalow. [Note: he remodeled the building but did not tear it down. This is now the home of Chuck and Betty McIntosh.]

• Mrs. George Stanton died of tuberculosis January 19, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Arthur Bergman, in upper Bovina, aged 77 years. Her maiden name was Mary Leal.  She is survived by her husband, two sons and three daughters; also one brother, John Leal, of Delhi, and two sisters, Mrs. Robert Fletcher, of Stamford, and Mrs. Matilda Stoutenburg, of Delhi.  Burial was in the Bovina Center cemetery Monday.

This Day in Bovina for December 2021

200 years ago today, December 1, 2021, a seventh school district was created in Bovina in the area of southern Bovina. 

Eighty years ago today, on December 2, 1941, as later reported in the Bovina column of the Delaware Republican, "Mr. and Mrs. Gay Hafele received word…from California of the death of Mrs. Carrie Doig, the widow of the late Andrew Doig. The remains are on the way here for burial in the Bovina Cemetery." Andrew Doig owned what is now Russell's Store until 1919 when he sold it to Cecil Russell. He died unexpectedly in 1924.

Sixty-seven years ago today, the Bovina column of the December 3, 1954 Catskill Mountain News reported that "Mrs. Glenn Hobbie was the only woman deer hunter in this area to get her deer. She shot a three-point buck weighing 140 pounds on Tuesday." Mrs. Hobbie was Anna Boggs Hobbie Lounsbury, who passed away in 2009.

Twenty-five years ago today, the December 4, 1996 Walton Reporter carried the following in its Bovina column: "The Bovina Happy Hearts 4-H club held its first meeting of the year on Oct 25 at the Bovina community hall with 19 members present. The officers elected were: president Tom Weber; vice president Brad Darling; secretary, Beth Rossley; treasurer, Heather Hilson; corresponding secretary, Amber Darling; news reporter, Leanne Stewart; games leaders, Cody Weber and Jordan Dibble; song leaders, Erin Mcintosh and Linda Darling; and snack leader, Danielle Stewart.

168 years ago today, the December 5, 1853 Bloomville Mirror carried this ad for the sale of a farm near Bovina Center. I'm not totally sure where this was located, but it might have been what is now the Gullow farm, which is about a mile and a half from Bovina Center going east on County Route 6. 

103 years ago today, on December 6, 1918, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "A party was held at A.P. Lee’s…. Dancing was indulged in."

Ninety-two years ago today, on December 7, 1929, as later reported in the Catskill Mountain News, "M.O. Miller while at the farm in Bovina last Saturday was injured by a horse, and was brought to the office of Dr. C.L. Wakeman, who found that his right shoulder had been dislocated. He will be compelled to favor the injured member for some time but it is hoped that no other trouble may develop." This likely is Mural Oliver Miller, who would have been 33 at the time of this accident. He recovered and was 79 at his death in 1976.

172 years ago today, the December 8, 1849 Kingston Daily Freeman carried this small item: "The Delaware People’s Press states that the article about the murder at Bovina, in that county going the rounds of the press, is a base fabrication from beginning to end." This appears to concern the case of Daniel Frazier, who was reported as having killed his father, also named Daniel. It does appear to have been a false article. Nothing showed up in the court records that there was a murder, though the family appeared to have been involved in a case of assault and battery around this time.

124 years ago today, December 9, 1897, Mary Gordon McLean, sister of Thomas Gordon, wrote this letter from her home in Laurel Bank, Scotland to her brother in Bovina. Thomas had been widowed earlier that same year. She mentions the monument, meaning the one to his wife (and his daughter who died at the end of 1896) and the fact that he's living in lodgings after giving up the farm that had been in his late wife's family. More on Tom Gordon's life appears in the Bovina NY History blog at http://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2021/04/the-people-of-county-who-knew-him-will.html.

The thermometer registered from 2 to 5 degrees below zero 121 years ago today on December 10, 1900.

Eighty years ago today, on December 11, 1941, Celia Coulter sent a letter from Bovina to her friend Marjorie Russell, who was teaching home economics in Ohio. The first page shown includes a comment about getting "a grim set of facts from the news.." Her reference, of course, is to the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7.  "The dominie" she mentions was the Bovina UP Church Pastor, Harvey McClellan. McClellan had tried to resign earlier in the year but was talked into staying. With the outbreak of war and the fact that he was going to be a naval chaplain, the church agreed to his going. I'm not sure about Mrs. Banuat - I think this was Craig Banuat's mother. If she did have cancer, she survived it, dying in 1968. 

Abigail Fuller was born 167 years ago today on December 12, 1854. The daughter of James Seacord and Esther Close, she married Thomas Fuller in 1878 and was widowed in 1913. Abigail died on her 79th birthday, December 12, 1933 (eighty-eight years ago today).

133 years ago, the December 13th, 1888 Hobart Independent carried this brief item: "The population of Bovina Centre is about 215, one hundred males and one hundred and fifteen females."

Ninety-eight years ago today, the Andes Recorder in its December 14, 1923 issue reported that the "Bovina Dairymen have received notice that they must put in three tons of ice per cow.  Must want the milk made into ice cream."

Seventy-four years ago today, on December 15, 1947, Bovina native Harold Campbell was injured while working at a sawmill in Monticello - he was struck by a piece of wood. He developed pneumonia and died a few days later at the age of 53. Harold had moved to Monticello from Bovina about two years previously. His surviving sisters were Evelyn Campbell and Eleanor Worden.

Ninety-five years ago today, on December 16, 1926 - M.T. Hastings sent this bill to Town of Bovina Highway department.  

131 years ago today, the Delaware Gazette for December 17, 1890, reported the following: "For Heresy - Five young clergymen, of whom the Rev. O.B. Milligan, recently of Bovina, seems to be a leader, were suspended by the Pittsburg Reformed Presbytery last Friday. Their offense is in the setting forth their belief that the exercise of the right of suffrage is not sinful, and that they will not forbid members to vote. They made a powerful defense and will appeal to the synod. They claim that they will be supported there by about one third of the clergy. If they fall, they will join the U.P. church, and claim they can take their congregations." Milligan was the pastor of the Bovina Reformed Presbyterian Church for in 1887, staying for about a year before leaving in 1888. And go to the Bovina NY History Blog for more about what happened to Rev. Milligan: https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2016/11/found-dead-in-his-study-with-heart.html 

Eighty years ago today, the Bovina column of the Delaware Republican for December 18, 1941 reported that "Mrs. Sara Archibald is much improved in health; she is able to be about the house part of the day. Her daughter, Mrs. Charles Lichtenberg returned to her home in Massachusetts last week; she had been with her mother for a month."

Ninety-five years ago today, on December 19, 1926, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "Attorney Lauren Dickson, who came home from Binghamton to spend the holidays was taken to the Delhi hospital and operated upon for appendicitis...  It was a serious case." He would stay in Bovina about three months before returning to his duties in Binghamton. In October 1927 he died suddenly in Binghamton.

Ninety-three years ago today, the December 20, 1928 Stamford Mirror-Recorder carried this item: "Walter Coulter, with a few helpers, is tearing down the red barn by his mill. He will leave the basement and is taking the remainder up to the upper end of the village where he will make an up-to-date shop. They moved the large parts of the building with the tractor." This mill probably was in the vicinity of what is now the town highway garage. The building that Coulter moved still stands behind the house next to the Bovina UP Church now owned by Pat Parsons Miele. Walter Coulter was the grandfather of the late Herb Parsons.

Ninety-seven years ago today, on December 21, 1924, Gladys Reinertsen was born, the daughter of Andrew and Sophia [Larsen] Reinertsen. She grew up in Bovina and married Clark Lay  in 1946. She and Clark raised their four daughters in Bovina. Clark died in 2004. Gladys passed away in 2011. Photo of Gladys and Clark was taken on their wedding day by Bob Wyer.

Jane, the 15-month-old daughter of Walter Coulter and Margaret Storie, died 192 years ago today on December 22, 1829.  Out of the twelve children they would have, four would die before reaching adulthood - a fifth child, their eldest daughter, died six weeks after her marriage.

126 years ago today, on December 23, 1895, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "Bovina had a case of Kidnapping on Monday evening. Archie VanBramer came to W.B. Thompson's to see his wife, a daughter of Mr. Thompson, and his child and had the child brought out to the wagon and then took it into the wagon and sent his wife to the house on some trivial excuse and in her absence drove away with the child. The child has not yet been recovered. It is thought that Van Bramer hopes to secure money for the return of the child." The Andes Recorder reported in its January 17, 1896 issue that Van Bramer brought the child back "of his own accord, after having caused the family lots of trouble and worry. If he has any shame about him he should be ashamed of his recent capers." I'm not sure which Thomson/Thompson this was, but there was a William B. Thomson (1843-1929) and he had a daughter Cora - but I have not confirmed this is the same person yet.

Eleven years ago today, the December 24, 2010 issue of the Delaware County Times carried this item on its front page about Bovina's own Mary Hetterich qualifying for the All-State Women's Choir: 

131 years ago today, December 25, 1890, Thomas Ormiston was married to Maggie E. Boggs at the home of her parents, Thomas and Jane (Archibald) Boggs. The wedding also was the occasion to celebrate Mr. and Mrs. Boggs' 25th wedding anniversary. Thomas and Maggie Ormiston were the parents of 7 children, including daughters Lois (who married Fletcher Davidson), Ruth (who married Henry Monroe), Marian (who married Norma Spear) and Marjorie. They also had sons Wendell, Lloyd, and Edwin. They were married for 29 years until Thomas's death in 1919. Margaret lived to be just 3 months shy of 100, dying in 1966.

Fifty-eight years ago today, the December 26, 1963 issue of the Catskill Mountain News carried this obituary for Thomas Archibald, who had died on December 19:  

140 years ago today, the Bovina column in the December 27, 1881 Stamford Mirror reported that "Wm. Richardson has sold his premises (the Henry McDonald place) to Alexander Hoy." This property would later become my house. The same paper also reported that "Dr. Dickson has moved his drugs and medicines to the basement of his new building." This is now the Brushland Eating House.

Eighty-two years ago today, the December 28, 1939 Mexico Independent (Mexico is a town in Oswego County) carried this death notice and obituary for W. Elliott Thomson, one of the last blacksmiths in Bovina. He was living with his daughter in Mexico for a few years before his death: 

122 years ago, in the December 29, 1899 issue of the Andes Recorder in the Bovina column, the following appeared:  "A new order just received from the State Department forbids the acceptance of any excuse from pupils except for sickness, and that only on the certificate of a physician.  Take warning."

A notice from the Andes Recorder, dated 154 years ago today:  "Estray – Came to the premises of the subscriber, on our about the 16th of December, a Newfoundland dog. The owner can have the same by proving property and paying charges. Jas. Coulter, Bovina Valley, Dec. 30, 1867." Bovina Valley is now the Lake Delaware area. And no, I have not found out if anyone ever came forward to claim the dog.

155 years ago today, December 31, 1866, the Bovina UP Church session passed the following resolution: “Whereas Elder Wm Thomson has for the past 18 months failed to perform his duties as an elder and whereas Mr. Thomson has not given to Session any reason for this course, or formerly tendered his resignation of the office of Elder, and whereas it is desirable that there be a free interchange of views between Session and Mr. T. therefore Res[olved] That Mr. Wm Thomson be again cited to appear before Session to either tender his resignation or give excuse for his neglect of duty.  Res[olved] 2nd That in case Mr. Thomson refuse or neglect to appear at the next meeting of Session, his case be referred directly to the Presbytery for its actions and instruction.  Res[olved] 3 That a copy of the above resolution be given to Mr Thomson, with his citation to appear at the next meeting of Session on the 22nd of January 1867.”  Thomson ultimately resumed his duties.  His absence was due to a family squabble that is further documented in the Bovina NY History blog for May 5 and 17, 2011.  http://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2011/05/brothers-in-law-part-i.html

December 1921 - 100 Years Ago in "That Thriving Town"

December 2, 1921

• Dr. Frisbee of Andes, is organizing a singing class in town.

• The heavy rains of Monday was followed by a heavy sleet storm.

• John H. Hilson and family spent Thanksgiving at Frank Dickson’s on the Little Delaware.

• Alex Myers is engaged in putting the priming coat of paint on Thos C. Strangeway’s new house.

• Plans are under way for a Community Christmas Tree to be held in the U.P. church on the evening of December 23.

• The second number of the entertainment course was held Saturday night – Warren Colsten, impersonator and entertainer.

• Mrs. James D. Calhoun has purchased of Hale Elliott what is known as the Thomas Hoy place at the upper end of Bovina Center [this is now the home of Len and Ann Cairns].

• On Thanksgiving day the Misses Kate and Frederika Muller had a dinner party and the table was graced with violets picked in their own yard.

Bovina Church Property Sold

Methodist Church and Parsonage Disposed of at Auction Saturday

The Bovina Methodist Episcopal church and parsonage was sold at auction at Bovina Center on Saturday, November 26, having served its usefulness.

The parsonage was purchased by Charles Hafele for his son, Gailie Hafele, for $1,025.  The church property was bid off by William Archibald for $775.  Mr. Archibald will retain the land and D.C. Worden takes the church building which will be torn down.  Thus passes an old landmark, which for many decades has stood on the eminence with its spire pointing to the heavens.

The seats were purchased by the Pleasant Valley Methodist church and Charles Hafele purchased the pulpit and organ.  The furnace was sold to Mrs. Dixon Thomson for $2.  The memorial windows were reserved.

Methodism in Bovina dates from the time when Alex Brush, the second settler in the town, was a local preacher, preaching in his own house and others.  Rev. William Jewett was the first regular pastor and from 1812 until 1849 services were held in houses, barns, school houses and groves.  In 1849 – 82 years ago – the present edifice was built and was dedicated August 22 of that year.  

December 9, 1921

• Charles Hafele, who purchased the Methodist parsonage, has sold the same to Fred Thomson for $1,125, making $100 on the deal.

• Walter Ringhold, former superintendent of the Gerry estate at Lake Delaware, is bargaining for the purchased of the Dennis house and lot in the village.  He desires to engage in bee keeping.

• Bovina real estate transfers recorded are Vernon S. Beckwith and wife to Ernest Houck, $5,000.  Mr. Houck purchases the half interest of his partner in the former Brown farm in southern Bovina.

Delaware Co Term of Court

Late Monday afternoon a jury was obtained and the case of Anthony Banuat vs. Jean Muller was opened.  This is a matter of assault, Muller, the defendant, having been indicted by the last grand jury.  The parties are from Bovina and the alleged assault was made while the plaintiff was endeavoring to collect a school tax in the fall of 1920.  The jury returned a verdict of guilty in the 3d degree.

December 16, 1921

• The children are practicing for the exercises to be held in connection with the Christmas tree to be held on the evening of December 23.

• The singing school is progressing nicely under the leadership of H.W. Frisbee, of Andes.  Last Friday evening there was an attendance of 42.

• James Ackerley has purchased from Don Northrup, of Colchester, the old house and lot adjoining the residence of Alex Hilson in the village.  Mr. Ackerley will either tear the house down and erect a new one or re-model the present structure.

Delaware Co Term of Court

In the Bovina case of Anthony Banuat against Jean Muller, assault in the 3d degree, Judge McNaught fined Muller $50 and 6 months in penitentiary.  The prison sentence was suspended and he is to report monthly to the Judge.

December 23, 1921

• Mr. and Mrs. William O. McDivitt have moved to Cleveland, Ohio.

• Bovina was visited by a high wind last Saturday night but no serious damage was done.

• Bovina in former years has been not noted for its low taxes, but this year it is anything but low.

• Lauren Dickson, who is attending law school at Yale, is home for the Christmas holidays.

• Mrs. Gustave Lifgren is visiting in New York City.  Miss Mary Ackerley accompanied her to consult Dr. Lorenze, the Austrian surgeon.

• Claude S. Terry has sold his interest in the garage business of Terry & Davidson to Henry Monroe and the new firm will be Davidson & Monroe.

• Bovina had a double wedding last Thursday evening, December 15.  The contracting parties were Miss Viola Russell and Winifred Barnhart, both of this town, and Alfred Russell, of Bovina, and Miss Katherine Oliver, of Delhi.  Mrs. Russell is a granddaughter of the late Walter Amos of southern Bovina.

• James C. Mabon had a narrow escape last Saturday from having all of the fingers on his right hand cut off by his buzz saw.  He had been sawing up the trees from his sugar camp broken down by the recent ice storm, and had only two more cuts to make on the last stick when the saw caught his glove.  He jerked the table back but not quick enough to prevent the saw cutting a gash into the back of everyone of his fingers between the first and second joints.

December 30, 1921

• Mrs. Elizabeth Irvine has been under the doctor’s care the past week, but is now improving.

• James Ackerley, who recently purchased the Northrup house, has begun the work of re-modeling.

• Henry Monroe has rented rooms in part of Mrs. Thomas Gordon’s house and will move in Saturday.

• Mr. and Mrs. John Coulter, of Yonkers, and Mr. and Mrs. William C. Oliver, of Harpersfield spent Christmas at John Northrup’s.

• Mrs. Scovel and three children, from near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, are spending the holidays with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Decker.

• Miss Jennie M. Hastings came Friday to visit her brother, Milton, and on Saturday, accompanied by Miss Lily Happy, she went to Saranac, to visit her brother.

• A large crowd attended the Christmas tree and exercises held last Friday evening at the U.P. church.  After the program Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus appeared and gave out the gifts.

• The remains of Violet Hewitt, the little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Hewitt, of Margaretville, were brought here Saturday for burial.  The child died December 21, in the hospital at Kingston following an operation for appendicitis.

This Day in Bovina for November 2021

Here's the compilation of the daily entries on the Town of Bovina Historian Facebook page for November:

120 years ago today, the November 1, 1901 Andes Recorder reported that Bovina veteran "Frank Gowanlock, late of Co., E., 144th Regt., has been granted a pension of $6 per month, with back pay from July 1900."

Twenty-seven years ago today, the November 2, 1994, Catskill Mountain News carried this news article about Bovina's oldest ever citizen, Helen Thompson, noting her 105th birthday. Helen would go on to celebrate two more birthdays before dying just shy of 108.

163 years ago today, November 3, 1858, Edward O’Connor signed this document submitting his claim for expenses as commissioner of highways.  O’Connor is noted in history as one of the two men sentenced to hang for the killing of Undersheriff Osman Steele during the Anti-Rent War in 1845.  O’Connor’s sentence was commuted to life in prison and he was released from prison within about a year.  He had been a town official before going to prison and resumed participating in town government after his release. 

The widow of the late John W. Bramley was found dead in bed 122 years ago this morning, November 4, 1899.  As later reported in the Andes Recorder:  “[Mrs. Bramley] had not been feeling well for a few days and had complained of her stomach. The doctor was there Wednesday but it was thought she would be better in a few days. Thursday morning her son Fred, went to her room about 4 o’clock and spoke to her and receiving no answer, thought she was asleep. About an hour later he went back and found her dead. She was cold and must have been dead when he was in the first time. She was 72 years old.” Her husband John had just died two weeks previously on October 19.

About 100 of the 212 women voters in Bovina voted 103 years ago today, November 5, 1918.  As reported later by the Andes Recorder, “Their votes did not change results in the town except to swell the Prohibition vote by about 40.”  Women in New York gained the right to vote in the November 1917.  This was the first time in New York that women were able to vote.  Women suffrage became nationwide in 1920.

Ninety-two years ago today, the November 6, 1929 Delaware Republican in its Bovina Center column reported that "Delbert Dickson had his car badly damaged driving into a hole on the Liberty road which is under construction."

Sixty-eight years ago today, the November 7, 1953 Oneonta Star carried on its front page a report of a fire that destroy my grandfather LaFever's chicken house: 

138 years ago today, on November 8, 1883, James R. Shackelton was paid $1 for taking a quarantine notice to E.L. Dean. 

Seventy-seven years ago today, the Bovina column of the November 9, 1944 Delaware Republican Express included this item: "Miss Jane A. Hilson, who teaches English in the schools of East Orange, N.J., spent the week-end at her home here. She was accompanied by her friend, Miss Elsie Penton."

157 years ago today, on November 10, 1864, tavern keeper Dorcas Aitkin presented this bill for various services to the town, including lodging four recruits likely receiving town bounty to help Bovina meet its quota (who these men were, we do not know).  Her 

Gordon Coulter entered the blacksmith shop of Gideon Miller to learn the trade 114 years ago today, November 11, 1907.  Gordon probably is Elton Gordon Coulter (1891-1945), the son of David and Lucy Coulter and an uncle to Grace Coulter Roberts.

130 years ago today, the November 12, 1891 Andes Recorder had this Bovina column: 

120 years ago today, November 13, 1897, as later reported in the Delaware Republican: "Lester Hoy, son of Thomas Hoy of Bovina, died of consumption Sunday, aged 22. Mr. Hoy was a very exemplary young man, and had a wide circle of friends who will mourn his early death." Two years later, his brother William’s wife Robena gave birth to a son who was named for his uncle Lester. This later Lester Hoy is the one who lived in the Hoy family home, now the home of Tim and Tamara McIntosh.

189 years ago today, the November 14, 1832 Delaware Gazette carried this article about the ordination of the Bovina's Associate Presbyterian Church new pastor, Rev. John Graham. Graham would serve for over 20 years.   More about Rev. Graham may be found in the Bovina NY History Blog. Part I is at https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2009/12/reluctant-reverend-part-i.html.  Part II is at https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2009/12/reluctant-reverend-part-ii.html

Twenty-six years ago today, the November 15, 1995 Walton Reporter carried this Bovina column by Ann Cairns: 

Eighty-two years ago today, the Bovina column of the November 16, 1939 Delaware Republican reported that "Mrs. Elizabeth McNair has returned to Binghamton to spend the winter with her son, Raymond, and family after spending the summer with her daughter Mrs. J.W. McCune." She would die at her son's home a few months later in April 1940. Mrs. McNair was born in 1852, the daughter of James and Jane Crosier. She married Peter McNair in 1869 and would have four children. Peter died in 1908. She is buried in the Bovina Cemetery.

100 years ago today, on November 17, 1921, Mina Wilson signed this oath of office as the Tax Collector for the town of Bovina. She was the town's first female office holder. More about Mina can be found on the Bovina NY History blog at http://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2013/11/bovinas-first-female-office-holder.html

Seventy-three years ago today, November 18, 1948, burial services were held for Mary Dickson Baldwin. She had died three days earlier at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, DC. She was born in Bovina, the daughter of Gilbert and Jane Dickson. She married George F. Baldwin and was an English teacher for many years in Ossining, NY. She had moved to Arlington, Virginia two years previous to her death.

142 years ago today, November 19, 1879 Alexander Meyers was married to Isabelle Laing.  The couple would be married for almost 68 years.  In 1939, the couple celebrated their 60th anniversary with a party given for them in the Bovina UP Church parlors.  Bob Wyer photographed the event. Alex died in 1947 at the age of 91.  His wife Isabelle died 4 years later in 1951, when she was 90 years old.  

142 years ago today, on November 20, 1879, Isabella Coulter Armstrong died in Bovina, aged 81 years. She was the daughter of Francis Coulter and Nancy Glendenning and was the only one of their children to be born in Scotland. She was married to John Armstrong and was widowed in 1864. She was survived by six of her eleven children at her death. (Isabella is my 4 greats grandmother.)

Thirteen years ago today, the November 21, 2008 Delaware County Times carried this picture of Joe Dibble showing off his prize turkey. 

Fifty-eight years ago today, November 22, 1963, Isabell Russell recorded in her diary: "Another grand day.  I put tulips in.  M[arjorie] went & got eggs this A.M.  President Kennedy was shot in Texas where he was in a parade.  Was shot by a communist."  Isabell also recorded the shooting of Lee Harvey Oswald on the 24th and the funeral on the 25th:  “Everybody that had television was glued to them all day [to] see the funeral of Pres. Kennedy.  We closed store from 11 o’clock until 2 o’clock.”

120 years ago today, the November 23, 1901 Walton Reporter carried this article about the new Bovina Center Creamery: "The Bovina Center Cooperative creamery building is completed and the company will open it for business on January 1, 1902. The buildings are all first class and satisfactory and the outlook is very good. The officers are Wm. A. Hoy. president; Douglas Davidson, vice president; Jas. A. Thompson. secretary and treasurer. The directors are, W. A. Hoy. Alex Hilson, Silas T. Rockefeller, Douglas Davidson and James A. Thompson.

Seventy-two years ago today, the November 24, 1949 Stamford Mirror-Recorder carried an article about sixth annual 4-H Club Leaders' Recognition Dinner, held at Delaware Academy. The article included this paragraph: "Miss Marian McPherson of Bovina Center received the diamond clover pin for 20 years of service as a 4-H Club leader in Delaware County. This is the highest award ever presented to a 4-H Club leader in this county."

Earl Harold Miller, son of John M. Miller of Bovina, and Miss Rachel Mary Sullivan, of St. Paul, Minnesota, were married 107 years ago today, November 25, 1914, in Minnesota. Miller was living in Minnesota by then, but had grown up on Pink Street, the son of John and Bertha Miller, at the farm that later became Suits Us Farm. He was a lawyer in St. Paul and ran for congress there (unsuccessfully) in 1920. Earl died in 1955 in Walton and is buried in Bovina.

Eighty-four years ago today, the November 26, 1937 Otsego Farmer (published in Cooperstown), carried this item on its front page: "Residents of the upper end of Delaware county are looking forward to uninterrupted, sleep following the arrest of Walfred Hansen, aged twenty-four of Bovina, picked up by Corp. Harold Bentley and Trooper Russell Coons of the Stamford outpost of Troop C, State Police, who charged him with having a siren on his private car. Arraigned before Justice of the Peace Omar Edwards at Stamford, Hansen pleaded guilty, paid a five dollar fine and promised to remove the noise-maker from his car."

137 years ago today, the Bovina column in the November 27, 1883 issue of the Stamford Mirror reported that "D.L. Thomson has finished his job of tinning the roof of the R.P. Church." This church stood where the playground and fire hall now stand. It was taken down in 1943.

Charles F. Smith was married to Christina Lamont 165 years ago today, November 28, 1856.  This was his second marriage.  Born in Scotland in 1824, he first married Annie Williamson, by whom he had two children before her death in November 1855.  There were no children from the second marriage.  Charles was widowed again in 1898 and he died 10 years later in 1908.  He ran the hotel at what is now Jardine's for many years.

103 years ago today, on November 29, 1918, John Elliot moved from his house on Maple Avenue "to the Thomas Miller house."  The following Monday, Mrs. John Irvine, the mother of Isabell Russell, moved into the Elliott house (now the home of Tony and Norma Gabriele).  Note:  I'm still trying to figure out which house was the "Thomas Miller house."

141 years ago today, on November 30, 1880, Fred Henderson was born in Walton, the son of James Henderson and Mary Arbuckle. He married Nellie Hilson on 30 December 1903. They farmed for a number of years at a farm about a mile out of the Bovina Center hamlet. They sold the farm to my grandparents, Benson and Anna Bell LaFever, in 1928 and moved into the old Phyfe farm just outside of the Bovina Center hamlet (now the home of Tim and Kristin Schneider). Fred and Nell were married for almost 68 years at the time of his death in 1971.