The drive from Ellston to Tingley was very pleasant. I don't think I'll ever tire of looking at rolling hills dotted with trees, farm fields, and wild flowers. Although Queen Anne's lace is listed as a weed. One of my favorite summer flowers has to be Black-eyed Susans. They were catching the sun and standing up in full bloom, glistening like dots of sunlight among the green Iowa landscape.

Ken Baker writes that from a discussion with his sisters, "The house was built by Herb DUFTY who built many homes in the area. We are not sure if this house was built for himself or someone else. [Assessor's records for Ringgold County are not on-line.] We know that the BOYD family owned the house in the 1930's and 1940's. First by John and Alice BOYD, then, by their son Russel Mitchell BOYD. Russell was a superintendent of schools at Mount Ayr, the hospital administratior, a graduate of Drake University and Tarkio College, and taught at Graceland University, Lamoni. Russell's ex-wife Mildred still lives in the house - or at least still owns it. She is moving to Kansas City and the property is up for sale.

The carriage house was owned by Dr. BEAMER in the 1930's and 1940's. He died in the early 1950's. Dr. BEAMER's office was on the north side of the main drag going into Tingley from the east, approximately a block or two from the curve."

Both of my sisters agreed that they thought of the house as a "mansion" when they were young and growing up in the area. My sister Cheryl remembers John and Alice's daughter Mary Alice. Russell died in March of 2007."

Russell Mitchell BOYD's obituary is on-line with Ringgold County IAGenWeb's obituary files. Thank you, Ken!

The original First Christian Church of Tingley was converted into a residence when a new church was build around the year 1904. The second church was destroyed by fire. A third church was built. Rev. RUSK is the current pastor.

In 1883, the Tingley United Presbyterian congregation was established with fifteen charter members. The first pastor was Reverend J. C. WHITE, former Presbyterian minister at Eugene. The congregation erected a church building in 1889 when Reverend Dr. D. C. WILSON was the minister. From 1890 to 1895, Rev. J. P. GIBSON was the minister and the congregation consisted of 160 members. Reverend John WILLIAMSON was the minister, May of 1896. Reverend Bruce GEISE is the current pastor.

From Tingley, we drove on to Shannon City in Union County, Iowa.

Photographs by Sharon R. Becker, August 3, 2009
Submitted by Sharon R. Becker, August of 2009