Snapshot of History by Mike Avitt
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This is the second Methodist Church building in Tingley’s history. The congregation outgrew the first one, so this church was built in 1908 with Herbert Henry Dufty as the construction superintendent. Later, Mr. Dufty’s funeral would be held here.
This is the material I’ve been looking for the last several weeks. Jenesse Tull pointed out the interesting history of Herbert Dufty and provided some additional information. And I will contribute what I have.
H. H. Dufty was born December 7, 1876 and moved to the Kellerton area from Minnesota when he was 16. In 1898, he married Julia Catherine Ambrosier and they moved to Tingley in 1905. Their children were: Loretta, Florence, Horton, and Helen.
Tingley was growing rapidly during the first part of the last century and a master builder like Dufty would have been in very high demand. In the next few decades Dufty would erect the bank (on the north side) and neighboring buildings, the Sheesley building, and reconstruction of the theater. The Tingley High School was built by Dufty and was his most-known accomplishment. It was built in 1917-18 and torn down in 1980.
Here is a list of homes built by Mr. Dufty, who the house was built for, and the occupant as of a few years ago: Henry Boyd (Mildred Boyd), John Boyd (Sheldon and Brenda Comer), Mae Dunlap (Eric Miller and Bailea Stark), Mae Dunlap (Jacob Akers), Arie Weeda (Russ and Chris Brown), Arie Weeda (Robert and Jenifer Johnson), Ed Fierce (Dan and Phyllis Shepherd), John E. Overholtzer (Aaron and Renea Wilkey), John Frasier (John Cline), Jonas Fender (Jeremy and Barb Weeda), Charlie Haver (Kevin and Anna Kiburz), Ike Kiburz (Chad and Jerica Bolinger), Frank Hausz (Karen Pettinger), “Doc” Breckenridge (Richard and Crystal Johnson), Harry Fender (Andrew Apodoca), and the old Shay house west of the Donald Grout house.
The United Methodist Church building is still in use after one hundred and eleven years!
