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Delaware County NY Genealogy and History Site

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These are some obituaries of Delaware county residents (also my ancestors). My grandmother had them and my uncle passed them to me recently. --Wendy Bovee Wall


          James H. Lewis           A. W. Dubben
          Mrs. James H. Lewis      Harriet L. Dubben
          Mrs. Grace MacFarlane    Wilma Dubben
          Walter H. Lewis          Harold Dubben
          Clarence W. Hill         Mrs. Clara B. Thompson
          Mrs. Gertrude L. Hill    Kenneth Strickland
          George E. Briggs         Gertrude L. Bovee
          Emily B. Bjorkman        John Bovee 

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1929 - James H. Lewis

James H. Lewis, whose death on Friday morning, August 9, was briefly noted in the Express of that date, was born in England 72 years ago and has been a resident of Delhi for the past 45 years. He was during the early years of his residence here a valued assistant of the late Abram Hughes in grading and laying out plots in Woodland Cemetery, and later he for 15 years was landscape gardener and caretaker of the grounds of the E. B. Sheldon estate on Delaware Avenue, and for the past twenty-two years he has been foreman of a road building force for the town. He was an expert and conscientious worker both in grading and in roadbuilding, a man whose honesty, industry and uprightness won him the respect and esteem of all who knew him.

His widow, nee Frances Isabell Hampton, whom he married in England, survives him, also one son, Walter H. Lewis of Delhi; five daughters, Mrs. Wm. McFarlane of Norwich, Mrs. A .W. Dubbin and Mrs. C. W. Hill of Delhi, Mrs. George Briggs of Spring Valley, and Mrs. Fred Thompson of San Francisco; eight grandsons and three granddaughters. All the children and grandchildren were present at the funeral except Mrs. Fred Thompson, and six of the grandsons acted as pall bearers. The funeral was held at the home of his daughter, where he died, Mrs. C. W. Hill. at two o'clock, Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. M. Hunter; interment was in Woodland Cemetery.

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1939 - Mrs. James H. Lewis

Mrs. Frances Isabelle Lewis died at her home on Franklin Street, this village, Tuesday evening, March 21st. She had been ill since about January 1st, and has required the care of a nurse. She was unconscious for a few days before her death. Mrs. Lewis was born in Birmingham, England, Nov 15, 1854, a daughter of the late Barney and Loise Hampton. She married James H. Lewis in 1876, and 55 years ago they came to America with their four children. During her long residence in Delhi she made many lasting friendships, being a very friendly, kind-hearted woman. Mr. Lewis died in August, 1929. Surviving Mrs. Lewis are five daughters; Mrs. Clarence W. Hill, wife of the Delhi mayor; Mrs. A. W. Dubben and Mrs. Clarabelle Thompson of this village; Mrs. William MacFarlane of Norwich. and Mrs. George Briggs of Spring Valley; one son, Walter H. Lewis of Delhi; also eleven grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 2 at the McCall funeral home by Rev. C. Ray Friedley. pastor of the Delhi Baptist church, of which Mrs. Lewis was a member. Burial will be in Woodland cemetery, Delhi. The pall bearers will be grandsons of Mrs. Lewis: Arthur and Paul MacFarlane, Leslie Lewis and Max and Harold Dubben of Delhi, and Ralph Lewis of Liberty.

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1961 THE DELAWARE REPUBLICAN-EXPRESS, DELHI, N.Y.

Mrs. Grace MacFarlane

Mrs. Grace Helen MacFarlane, 83, died September 6 at St. Petersburg, Fla., following a long illness. Funeral services were held Monday at the McCall funeral home in Delhi, with Rev. Felix Milas, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Delhi, officiating. Interment was at Pine Grove Cemetery at Meridale. Pallbearers were Harold Dubben, Max Dubben, Frank Bovee and Leslie Lewis. A native of Delhi she was born November 4, 1878, and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Lewis. She was the widow of William MacFarlane.

Surviving are three sons, Arthur, Emory and Paul MacFarlane, of St. Petersburg; one daughter, Mrs. Frank Bovee of Norwich, a brother, Walter H. Lewis of Delhi; four sisters, Mrs. A. W. Dubben, Mrs. Clarence Hill, Mrs. Clarabelle Thompson, all of Delhi, and Mrs. Axel Bjorkman of Pearl River; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

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May 29, 1969 - Walter H. Lewis

Walter H. Lewis, 91, of Meredith Road, Delhi, a retired dairy farmer who had spent almost his entire lifetime in the Delhi are and one of the last surviving veteran's of the Spanish-American War. died Thursday, May 29, at the Veteran's Administration Hospital, Albany, following an extended illness. Funeral services were held Monday, June 2, at St. John's Episcopal Church, Delhi, with the Rev. William O.Homer, rector, officiating. Burial was in Woodland Cemetery, Delhi.

He was born October 26, 1877 in Reditch, England, a son of James and Isabelle(Hampton) Lewis. He married Mary A. Lavery on June 30, 1903 at Delhi. Mrs. Lewis died in 1958. Mr. Lewis had resided in the Delhi area for the past 86 years coming to the area in 1883 as a child from England. He was a private in the U.S. Infantry and served during the Spanish- American War. He operated a farm on Hollister Hill, beginning in 1900. He was a member of the St. John's Episcopal Church and a former member of the Veteran's of Foreign Wars.

Surviving is a daughter, Mrs. Grace Erkson, Selkirk; a son, Leslie Lewis, Delhi; a sister. Mrs. Clara B. Thompson, Delhi; three grandchildren, Miss Barbara Sue Erkson, Selkirk; Donald Lewis, Walton; and Eugene Lewis, Delmar; eight great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews.

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September 1967 - Clarence W. Hill

Former Delhi's Mayor dies at 88

DELHI--- Clarence W. Hill, 88, for 19 years the Mayor of the Village of Delhi, died Friday, September 8 at the Delhi Hospital after an extended illness. Funeral services will be conducted at 2p.m. Monday September 11 at the R. J. McCall Funeral Home, Delhi, with the Rev. Felix F. Milas of The First Baptist Church of Delhi officiating. Burial will be in the Woodland Cemetery.

Mr. Hill was born in Delhi September 16, 1878, a son of William and Amanda (Case) Hill. He married Gertrude Lewis Sept. 30, 1922, in Norwich. Mr. Hill was the owner and proprietor of the C. W. Hill Paint Store for 46 years. The store was recently purchased by his nephew Frank W. Bovee. He was a Mayor of Delhi from 1930 to 1949, a member of the Delhi Masonic Lodge No. 439, honorary member of the Delhi Fire Department, and a member of the Delhi Chamber of Commerce and attended the First Baptist Church of Delhi.

Surviving besides his wife are three cousins, Ernest MacGregor of Delhi, Elizabeth MacGregor, and Ethel Goodnough of Syracuse. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Friends may call at the funeral home at their convenience.

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1968 - Mrs. Gertrude L. Hill

Delhi -- Mrs. Gertrude L. Hill, 82, of 41 Delaware Ave., retired proprietor of the C. W. Hill Paint Store in Delhi, died Wednesday, June 26, at Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown, following a brief illness. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 29, at the R.J. McCall Funeral Home, Delhi, with the Rev. Felix F. Milas, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Delhi, officiating. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Delhi.

Mrs. Hill was born May 2, 1886 in Delhi, a daughter of James and Isabelle (Hampton) Lewis. She was married to Clarence W. Hill on September 30, 1922 in Norwich. Mr. Hill died September 8, 1967. Mr. and Mrs. Hill operated the C.W. Hill Paint Store in Delhi for 46 years until shortly before Mr. Hill's death when the business was purchased by a nephew, Frank W. Bovee. She was a member of the First Baptist Church. Surviving are two sisters, Mrs. William (Lou) Dubbens and Mrs. Clarabelle Thompson and a brother, Walter H. Lewis, all of Delhi, and several nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at their convenience Friday and Saturday until service time. The family will be in attendance from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Friday.

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1947 - George E. Briggs

Dies in Hospital

Delhi--- George E. Briggs, 68, died yesterday afternoon in Delhi hospital after several months of ill health. He had been in the hospital one week.The funeral will be held at McCall funeral home at 2 p.m. Wednesday, with burial in Woodland Cemetery.

Mr. Briggs was born Oct. 6, 1878, in the town of Kortright, a son of William and Jemima Briggs and resided here most of his life, except for about 14 years at Spring Valley. He was a plumber and for many years was employed by A. W. Dubben here. He married Miss Emily Lewis at Delhi on Dec. 31, 1905. Surviving are his widow, a daughter, Mrs. Herbert Henderson, and a son, Lewis Briggs, both of Nanuet; two sisters, Miss Mary Briggs and Mrs. Core Wight, both of Hobart; four brothers, Jesse, Hobart; Albert, Oneonta, Ray, Schenectady; and Millard, Bainbridge.

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1967 - Mrs. Emily B. Bjorkman

Mrs Emily Briggs Bjorkman, 85, a former resident of Delhi, died Sunday, January 21, in New Jersey. Funeral services were conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 24, at the R. J. McCall Funeral Home, Delhi, with the Rev. Felix F. Milas, pastor of the Delhi Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be later in Woodland Cemetery, Delhi. She was born April 10, 1882, in Birmingham, England. A daughter of James and Frances (Hampton) Lewis. She was first married to George Briggs on December 31, 1905, in Delhi. Mr. Briggs died April 20, 1947. She then married Axel Bjorkman who died Dec 6, 1967.

Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Mabel Henderson, Pearl River: a son Louis Briggs, Hillsdale, N.J.; Three sisters, Mrs. Gertrude Hill; Mrs. Clarabelle Thompson, and Mrs. Harriet L. Dubben, and a brother, Walter H.Lewis, all of Delhi.

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1951 - A. W. Dubben, Hit by Auto, dies in Hospital

Albert William Dubben, 78, prominent business man for many years until his retirement in 1945, died in Delhi Hospital about 10 o'clock last Friday night, a few hours after he was struck by a car in front of Smalley's Theatre. He and Mrs. Dubben were crossing Kingston Street near the theatre. The car was driven by Robert Salton, 18, member of the senior class at Delaware Academy. Mr. Dubben suffered a crushed pelvis, fractured leg and rupture of the bladder besides other internal injuries. He was taken to the hospital by ambulance. Saturday afternoon, Dr. Charles Klepetar, acting coroner's physician, issued a certificate of accidental death. The death of Mr. Dubben is the first traffic fatality in Delhi since October 31, 1933, when Ward B. Thompson, died after being hit by car on Main Street the day before. Mr. Thompson, who was 62, had stepped from behind a parked car into the path of an automobile.

Mr. Dubben was born in Sydling, England, the son of Henry and Mary Cole Dubben, on March 31, 1873. When he was nine years old the family came to this country and settled in Cooperstown. Mr. Dubben came to Delhi in 1898 and had lived here ever since. In the early 1900's he entered the hardware and plumbing and - heating business and continued in this until 1945, when he turned the store and business over to his two sons, Harold and Max. The firm, since his retirement, has been known as Dubben Brothers.

Mr. Dubben was married to Harriet L. Lewis of Delhi in 1899. Besides the two sons mentioned above and the widow, he is survived by a sister, Mrs. Arthur Carmick of West Chesterfield, N. H.; two brothers, Harry and Benjamin Dubben, both of Cooperstown, and four grandchildren, Betty Lou, Dana, William and Maxine Dubben.Funeral services were conducted Tuesday afternoon at the McCall's Funeral Home with the Rev. Charles Shaver, rector of St. John's Episcopal Church, officiating. Interment was in Woodland Cemetery, Delhi. Bearers were Charles Sutliff, Ralph Cavan, Arthur Tyrrell, George Clark, Joseph Riegler, and Leslie Lewis.

He was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church, Delhi; Delhi Lodge No. 439, F. and A. M.; charter member of Watauga Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star; and Delhi Lodge 625, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Several years ago he was presented with a 40-year membership pin from the Odd Fellows Lodge. Monday night members of the lodge attended in a body and paid tribute to the deceased at the McCall Funeral Home.

A staunch Republican all his life, Mr. Dubben served on the Board of trustees of the Village of Delhi for a two-year term beginning in 1920, was Town Assessor and a Republican Committee man. Always ready with a cheerful greeting for friends, acquaintances and strangers alike there isn't anyone in the community who will soon forget Mr. Dubben. It was easy to chat with him anywhere, at the store or over the library fence as he trimmed the raspberries in his garden. The profusion of flowers which banked his bier and the many friends who attended his funeral as a last mark of respect attest the love and esteem he had won during his long residence in Delhi.

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1969 - Mrs. Harriet L. Dubben

Mrs. Harriet Louise Dubben, 88, of 42 Elm Street, Delhi, died Monday, January 27, after a short illness, at Delhi. Funeral services will be held Thursday, January 30, at 2 p.m., at the Hall & Peet Funeral Home, Delhi, with Rev.Alfred C. Arnold, Rector of St. John's Episcopal Church, Lake Delaware, officiating. Burial will be at the convenience of the family in Woodland Cemetery, Delhi.

Mrs. Dubben was born December 29, 1880 at Studley, England, daughter of James and Isabelle (Hampton) Lewis. She was married to A.W. Dubben September 7, 1899 at Delhi. Mr. Dubben died November 2, 1951. She was a housewife and resided in Delhi for 85 years coming to Delhi from England at the age of 3. Mrs. Dubben was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church, Delhi, a charter member of Watauga Chapter 315, O.E.S., and Delaware Rebekah Lodge 318, Delhi.

Survivors include two sons, Harold W. and Max Dubben, Delhi, owners of Dubben Bros. Hardware; one brother, Walter Lewis, Delhi; one sister, Mrs. Clarabelle Thompson, Delhi; four grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.

Those who wish may donate in her memory to Woodland Cemetery Association, Delhi. Friends may call at their convenience at the funeral home until service time. The family will be in attendance from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.

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1992 - Wilma Dubben

Delhi-- Wilma G. (Boots) Dubben, 78, of 42 Elm St., Delhi, died Friday, July 3, 1992 at Wilson Memorial Hospital, Johnson City. She was born May 10, 1914 in Schenectady, the daughter of Frederick and Maude M. (Slocum) Winkler. She married Harold W. Dubben on Dec. 31, 1933 in Oneonta. Mrs. Dubben had been a book-keeper for Dubben Brothers Hardware Store, Delhi, for 52 years. She retired in 1982. She was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church, Delhi, where she had formerly been a member of the choir.

Surviving are her husband, Harold Dubben of Delhi; two daughters, Betty Lou Agard of Binghamton and Dana Miller of Delhi; one sister, Maresa Easton of Manchester, Conn.; six Grandchildren and six Great-grandchildren. She is predeceased by two sisters, Nelda Blaise and Peggy Radley.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, July 7, at 2 p.m. at the Moxley-McCall Funeral Home, Inc., Delhi, with the Rev. Father Dale R. Craig, rector of St. John's Episcopal Church, Delhi, officiating. Burial will be in the Woodland Cemetery.

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1993 - Harold Dubben

Harold W. Dubben, 85, of 42 Elm Street., Delhi, died Thursday, March 11, 1993, at the Susquehanna Nursing home, Johnson City. He was born Aug 17, 1907, in Delhi, the son of Albert W. and Harriet L. Lewis Dubben. He married Wilma G. Winkler on Dec. 31, 1933, in Oneonta. She predeceased him on July 3, 1992. Mr. Dubben was a life long resident of Delhi, graduating from the old Delaware Academy, class of 1928. He graduated from RPI, class of 1932, with a degree in mechanical engineering. He was employed with his father and brother in Dubben's Hardware store, Delhi, retiring in 1983.

Mr. Dubben was a member of the Delhi Fire Department for 45 years, serving many of those years as treasurer. He was also a member of the Delhi fireman's band where he played the saxophone. He was a life member of St. John's Episcopal Church, Delhi, where he served on the vestry and also was treasurer for many years. He is survived by two daughters, Betty lou Agard, (Obituary is cut off , I cannot tell you what else it had said)

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1972 - Mrs. Clara B. Thompson

Was draft Board Clerk - Mrs. Clara Belle Thompson, retired clerk for Local Draft Board 42 in Delhi, died Friday, May 12, 1972, at her home at the age of 78. Funeral services for the Delhi native and longtime resident, were held at 2 Monday afternoon at the Hall and Peet Funeral Home, Rev. Felix F. Milas, pastor of the First Baptist Church, Delhi, officiating. Burial was in Woodland Cemetery, Delhi.

Mrs. Thompson retired from the draft board Nov. 30, 1963, after having processed over 7,600 men for military service. She never failed to be present when a group left for induction. It was November, 1940, that this pleasant woman with a kindly face began working for the selecting service. Lynn Dreyfus was clerk of the board and she was his assistant. At that time it was Local Board 399 of Delhi, later becoming Local Board 42.

Regarding the war years when many mean were dispatched for military duty, she recalled, "I often look back. We worked day and night sometimes." She spent her entire lifetime in Delhi with the exception of 16 years when she was in California.

Born Nov. 29, 1893, in Delhi, she was the daughter of James and Isabelle Hampton Lewis. Her younger years were spent in Delhi. Her Sunny disposition led to her being nicknamed "Happy." She enjoyed horseback riding as a young woman. She moved to San Francisco when she was a young woman, and married Frederick Thompson.... (incomplete Obituary)

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1987 - Kenneth Strickland

Meridale -- Kenneth J. Strickland, 80, of Meridale died Thursday, April 16, 1987, in Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown. He was born Sept 4, 1906 in Meridale, the son of Tracy W. and Flora (Clark) Strickland, and was a lifelong Meridale resident. Several cousins survive.

Graveside service will be held later in Pine Grove Cemetery, Meridale, with the Rev. Arthur Lefgren officiating. There will be no calling hours. Funeral arrangements are by the Reilly & Sons Funeral Home, Voorheesville.

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1975 - Mrs. Gertrude L. Bovee

Mrs. Gertrude L. Bovee of 41 Delaware avenue, Delhi, died Tuesday, Sept. 2 at O'Connor Hospital in Delhi. She was 64 years old. Mrs. Bovee was born Feb 4., 1911 at Meridale to William and Grace Lewis MacFarlane. She was married to Frank Bovee Sr. in Norwich. She had formerly been employed by General Laboratory associates of Norwich for 20 years. She was a member of Delhi Improvement Society, Old Age Anonymous and First Baptist Church of Norwich.

Surviving are four sons, Senior Master Sergeant John Bovee of the Air Force, San Antonio, Texas; David and James of Norwich, and Frank. Jr. of Delhi; two daughters. Miss Susan Bovee of Syracuse and Mrs. Donna Herrick of St. Petersburg, Fl.; two brothers, Emory and Paul MacFarlane of St. Petersburg.

Services were held Friday from Moxley - McCall Funeral home in Delhi with Rev. David H. Foubert in charge. Burial was in Pine Grove cemetery, Meridale.

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1942 Downsville Jottings - John Bovee

John Bovee, who for some time has been ill with dropsy and heart disease died Sunday afternoon at about 1 o'clock. Deceased, long a stone cutter and quarryman, was an excellent citizen and well known in this section and at East Branch, where he once resided. He was twice married. The only survivor is one son, Frank, by his first wife, who lives in Norwich but is now employed at Sidney, and one sister, Mrs. Howard Harper of Scranton. Deceased was 69 years of age.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday of this week, at 2 p.m., from Place's funeral parlors, Rev. H.W. Haynes officiating. Interment at East Branch, where Mr. Bovee's first wife is buried.



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