L.M. Dunfee was one of 12 children born in Bellaire, Ohio.

At 16, he took to riding the trains as a hobo. He landed in Perry, Mo during 1897 where Martin Stehle took him under his wing and taught him the tinning business.

In 1909, LM married Martin’s daughter, Annie.

May of 1915, LM bought Martin’s business and it operated as LM Dunfee Tin Shop until 1955.