History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches, Part 260

Author: Sawyer, Eugene T
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Los Angeles : Historic Record Co.
Number of Pages: 1934


USA > California > Santa Clara County > History of Santa Clara County California with biographical sketches > Part 260


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FRANK MILLICH .- An enterprising citizen who is making a success as a fruit grower, the owner of a splendid producing orchard in the Moreland school district, is Frank Millich, a native of Dalmatia, born at Krucica, October 13, 1886, the oldest of a family of nine children born to Miho and Mary (Dragove) Millich, also natives of Dalmatia, who are farmers and are still living on their home place. Two of their children died from the influenza, one of them, a son who served in the World War, contracted it while serving under the colors and died from its effect.


Frank Millich was reared on the home farm and received a good education in the local schools. He had a longing to try his luck in the land of the Stars and Stripes, a country of which he had heard such favorable reports. When sixteen years of age he left the old home arriving at Rosendale, Ulster County, N. Y., March 25, 1903, where he was em- ployed in the cement works until 1904 when he made his way to San Jose, Cal., reaching here on June 1, of that year.


He immediately went to work in the orchards and thoroughly learned fruit growing and the fruit busi- ness. He saved his money so that in three years time he was enabled to lease an orchard and engaged as a fruit grower as well as a fruit buyer, in which he was very successful, so that in 1913 he purchased a ten-acre orchard on Prospect Road, where he made a success, and in 1919 he sold the orchards at a profit. He then purchased his present place of twenty-five acres located on Phelps Avenue in the Moreland school district, his orchard being full bearing and devoted to raising apricots and peaches, The ranch is well improved with buildings and he also has a pumping plant for irrigating the orchards which enables him to keep them in a high state of cultivation.


The marriage of Mr. Millich occurred in Santa Clara County in 1912, when he was united with Miss Mary Lobrovich, who was born in the same vicinity


as her husband and came to San Jose in 1910, an estimable woman of splendid attributes who has been an able helpmate to her husband.


Mr. Millich is a member of Morning Light Lodge No. 42, I. O. O. F., in Campbell, where he is well known and popular.


HENRY KISSINGER .- A progressive young business man of Los Gatos, who introduced the first "cash and carry" system in Los Gatos, is Henry Kissinger, the genial proprietor of the merchandise business in which he is profitably engaged. Born at Fergus Falls, Minn., June 26, 1886, a son of George and Mary (Peters) Kissinger, he was educated in the grammar and high schools there; later he sup- plemented his education with a business course at Valparaiso, Ind. After leaving school, he farmed for a time, then engaged in the general merchandise business in Fergus Falls. He then removed to Mon- tana and took up a claim and spent three years there. On August 27, 1919, he located in Los Gatos and was employed by C. Roemer until November 1, 1920, when in partnership with his brother, they purchased their present business. He first purchased the bakery business in June, 1920, and then bought the grocery business and combined the two, and is building up a fine and lucrative patronage.


The marriage of Mr. Kissinger united him with Miss Hazel R. Beatty, of Minnesota. He is af- filiated politically with the Republican party and fraternally belongs to the Masons, Modern Wood- man, and with Mrs. Kissinger is active in the social affairs of the Eastern Star. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Merchants Associa- tion and takes a keen interest in the civic affairs of the state and county which he has chosen for his permanent residence.


CAPTAIN FERDINAND STOLTE .- Among the old master mariners of the Pacific coast is Cap- tain Ferdinand Stolte, who first came to San Fran- cisco in 1868. He was born in Bremen, Germany, November 13, 1847, a son of August Stolte, a cigar manufacturer, and his wife, Charlotte Meyer, both now deceased. Captain Stolte is the oldest of their nine children, six of whom reached maturity, and three are still living. When fourteen he went to sea on an East India square-rigged barque "Betty," rounded Cape of Good Hope and back, then with the same company on the barque "Mary" to the West Indies, trading with the Islands, having St. Thomas as their headquarters on a two-year voyage. Then he shipped as able seaman on the barque "Cedar" on a long and active trip to the West Indies and Lesser Antilles. He made a trip to the Rio de La Plata River for salt, then took a cargo of dried beef to Santiago de Cuba, which was peddled to planters, then on to Manzanilla for a cargo of mahog- any and cedar logs, from there taking coal to St. Vincent Island, and then on to Ilo de la Sal, where there was an American vessel wrecked and they were drafted to take the passengers to Africa, mak- ing the trip and return. Then they took the cargo of salt to Santos, Brazil, and there loaded with tobacco and coffee for Bremen. Mr. Stolte was desirous of making a trip to Greenland and obtained a berth on the "Beehive," and had some very inter- esting and hazardous experiences. Next he made a trip to Sweden; then .to Australia, where he left the


Frank Miller


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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY


vessel and took the American ship "Black Eagle" around the world to San Francisco arriving in 1868. Later he was on the "Ocean Spray" in the coasting trade, next on the barque "Callas" and then fell in with his former ship "North Star" and was per- suaded to go back to Bremen. He studied naviga- tion in the Bremen School of Navigation and mean- while was drafted into the German Navy in 1870 and served a year.


Shipping as mate to Rangoon, during the voyage he was shipwrecked on Goodwins Sands at the mouth of the English Channel, the graveyard of the sea for Europe. They were taken off by a lifeboat from Ramsgate. He then made a voyage in an Amer- ican barque around Cape Horn to San Francisco and return in 1871: again shipping, he made a voyage from Liverpool around Cape Horn to San Francisco, thence back to Havre, France, when he returned to Bremen to see his family. After this he shipped to New York, then around Cape Horn to Panama and on to San Francisco. There he followed the coasting trade and in 1877 had his own schooner "Express" in Coos Bay, continuing as master of her for some years. Returning to San Francisco, he was on dif- ferent coast crafts until 1880, when he quit the sea.


He had married in San Francisco Anna Peters, a native of Neckermunde, Pomerania, Germany. In 1881 he purchased a ranch of 160 acres on the Sum- mit, now on the Twenty-seven Mile Scenic Drive in the Santa Cruz Mountains. He did not know any- thing about farming, but set to work and cleared and improved the place, set out orchard and vine- yard, built a residence and in time had a nice place from which he derived a good income. Captain Stolte's wife died April 23, 1898, leaving him three children: Charlotte is Mrs. Henry Frahm of San Mateo; Emma is the wife of R. V. Garrod of Sara- toga; Josephine is the wife of W. J. Beatty, Jr., of Alma. In 1916 Captain Stolte sold his ranch and now makes his home at Alma. He has been a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows since 1876, joining San Fran- cisco Lodge No. 3, but is now a member of Ridgely Lodge No. 294, I. O. O. F., of Los Gatos; and is also a member of the Rebekahs. He was a charter member of Lakeside local No. 61, Farmers' Educa- tional and Cooperative Union of America. Captain Stolte is an interesting talker and it is a great pleas- ure to enjoy his hospitality. He has been a Repub- lican since obtaining his citizenship papers in 1876.


HON. WILLIAM A. JANUARY .- In 1849, en- thused by the thrilling tales spread broadcast through- out the land of the rich discovery of gold on the Pa- cific coast, Hon. William A. January joined the tide of immigration surging westward, and became num- bered among the early pioneers of California. In the prime of a vigorous manhood, clear headed, full of activity and energy, he was one of the foremost in advancing the cause of civilization, and from the first was an important factor in promoting the industrial and business progress of the state. During the long years of his residence in San Jose, as a man of sta- bility. integrity and financial wisdom he was ever prominently identified with the best interests of city and county. A son of Dr. Peter Thomas Janu- ary, he was born February 16, 1826, in Maysville, Ky. The January family trace their origin to Alsatia, France, where their name was spelled Janvier. In 1685, on the revocation of the edict of Nantes, two


members of this Huguenot family, Thomas and Pierre Janvier, immigrated to this country, settling in Pennsylvania, where the name was anglicized to its present form, January. Peter January, one of the lineal descendants of Thomas Janvier, was the great- grandfather of William A. January. He was a man of prominence in colonial times, serving as provincial armorer at Philadelphia, and taking an active part in the Revolutionary war.


Samuel January, the grandfather of William A. January, was born and reared in Pennsylvania, but was subsequently engaged in mercantile pursuits in Maysville, Ky., until his death. He married Elizabeth Marshall, who was a cousin of John Marshall, chief justice of the supreme court of the United States from his appointment in 1801 until his death, in 1835. A native of Kentucky, Peter Thomas January inherited the spirit of patriotism that animated his ancestors, and during the War of 1812 enlisted under Governor Shelby, and was an active participant in the battle of the Thames, where Tecumseh, the Indian brave, was killed. He afterwards enlisted in the United States army, and as first lieutenant in the First United States Regiment of Infantry was stationed for awhile at Fort Mackinaw, where he became acquainted with the young lady who afterwards became his wife. Re- signing from the army, he took up the study of medi- cine, and having received the degree of M. D. was en- gaged in the practice of his profession in different states, including Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana and Mis- souri. He spent his last years in Kentucky, dying at the age of seventy-four years. He married Isabelle J. Aitken, who was born in Montreal, Canada. Her father, Capt. William Aitken, a native of Scotland, married Miss McDonald, also of Scotland, and was subsequently, as an officer in the British army, sta- tioned in Montreal, Canada. She died in 1849.


One of seven children, William E. January spent his boyhood days in different places, being in Galena, Ill., during the time of the Blackhawk war. His early education was principally obtained in the schools of Kentucky, after which he resided in Indiana, and in Stoddard County, Mo. In Corydon and New Albany, Ind., he learned the printer's trade, and subsequently completed his studies in Kentucky. With a party of twenty-one adventurous and ambitious companions he started in 1849 for the Pacific coast, coming across the plains with ox teams, via Forts Kearney, Laramie and Bridger to Bear River, and then by the Lawson route to the Feather River. Arriving in Sacramento, Cal., he remained there until December, but was after- wards engaged in mining on Feather River and in dif- ferent localities until 1853. Settling then in Eldorado county, Mr. January worked at the printer's trade in Coloma and Placerville. In 1854. in partnership with Dan Gelwicks, he established the Mountain Democrat. In 1866 Mr. January located in San Jose, and estab- lished the Santa Clara Argus, which he published as a weekly for ten years, and then as a daily for two years. In 1878 he sold the paper and the plant, and the Argus was united with the Herald.


Mr. January took an active and intelligent interest in public matter, and served with great acceptability in different official capacities. In 1875 he was elected county treasurer of Santa Clara county, and in 1882 was elected state treasurer on the Democratic ticket. In 1892 he was elected tax collector of Santa Clara County, and was subsequently three times re-elected


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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY


to the same position, in 1894, 1898 and 1902. He was a stanch Democrat in his political views, and for a number of years was a member of the State Demo- cratic committee.


In 1855, in Placerville, Cal., Mr. January married Mary Helen Murgotten, a native of Indiana. Her father, Henry C. Murgotten, came to California with the gold seekers of 1849, and was joined by his wife and children in 1852. Nine children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. January. Arthur, William H., Sam- uel Garrett Wall, John James, Peter Thomas, Dan Gelwicks, Frank Bethel, Clementina Marshall, and Susan Aitken. Fraternally Mr. January was very prominent in the Masonic order, and did much to pro- mote the good of the organization. January 8, 1855. in Placerville, he joined Eldorado Lodge No. 26, F. & A. M., which he served as master, and while in Placer- ville was a member and high priest of St. James Chap- ter No. 16, R. A. M. He was past master of San Jose Lodge No. 10, F. & A. M .; past high priest of How- ard Chapter No. 14, R. A. M .; and past thrice illus- trious master of Sacramento Council No. 1, R. & S. M .; was made a Knight Templar in Placerville in 1859, and was past commander of San Jose Com- mandery No. 10, K. T .; past grand high priest of the Grand Chapter of California; past grand illustrious master of the Grand Council of California; past patron of San Jose Chapter, Eastern Star; and past presi- dent of the Pacific Coast Veteran Masonic Associa- tion. Mr. January belonged to the Santa Clara Pio- neers' Association, and was a faithful and active mem- ber of the Christian Church.


FERDINAND BOUSSY .- One of the most enter- prising and optimistic resort owners in the Santa Cruz mountain region is Ferdinand Boussy, proprie- tor of the Big Woods (Les Grands Bois) Tavern, as well as the Soda Springs Hotel. He was born at Annecy, near Aix-les-Bains, Haute Savoie, France, September 27, 1884, a son of Cesar and Mary Boussy, farmers in their native France, who came to Cal- ifornia and now reside with their son Ferdinand, who was the youngest of their two children, the other being Marius, who resides in San Francisco.


Ferdinand Boussy received a good education in the public schools at Annecy, after which he was ap- prenticed and learned the cabinet maker's trade. In 1904 he immigrated to Montreal, Canada, where he was employed for a while in a restaurant and there spent two years as a cabinet maker in the Pullman car shops of the Canadian Pacific Railroad. In 1907 he came to San Francisco, where for a year he was employed at his trade. In that city he was married to Miss Julia Gilly, born in the department of Lozere, France, who studied domestic science and became an excellent chef and for five years was chef at the "Montmartre," Paris, after which she came to San Francisco where she met Mr. Boussy, the acquain- tance resulting in their marriage. Mr. Boussy had always been interested in restaurants and hotels and had a desire to follow it as a business and this gave him an opportunity, as Mrs. Boussy was one of the most excellent chefs on the Coast. Even before his marriage, he had been looking around for a location in the Santa Cruz Mountains, accessible to the city. as a resort, so he purchased seventy-two acres on the Soda Springs Road above Alma, and after his marriage he located there. He planned the ground


and levelled it suitable for a site and then built the Soda Spring Hotel with water piped for domestic use from the spring. There are also small soda and iron springs. His French dinners became popular and he had a large number of guests from the Bay Region as well as Santa Clara County and Mr. and Mrs. Boussy became celebrated for their cuisine.


However, Mr. Boussy received a sad blow in 1919, when he was bereaved of his faithful wife and de- voted companion, who died from the influenza. Though it was a great sorrow come into his life, he rose to the occasion, and with the same old energy, he continued the management and building up of his business. Wishing to enlarge his operations, in 1922 he purchased the old Valley of the Moon property near the summit of the Santa Cruz Mountains, nam- ing it the Big Woods (Les Grands Bois) Tavern, situated in a beautiful valley surrounded by giant redwoods. One of the largest springs in the moun- tains is located on the ranch, from which he obtains ample water for domestic use and the concrete swim- ming pool for the use of the guests; from this pool the water flows into a natural lake where boating can be enjoyed. Mr. Boussy in his energetic way, is rapidly improving the place and besides the hotel, he has ten cottages, all modern and furnished to rent to families. At the Tavern he continues the same excellent cuisine and courteous attention and his French dinners are as popular as ever. His union resulted in the birth of one child, a boy, Henry, now four and a half years of age. Mr. Boussy is a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows lodge in San Jose and Cal- ifornia Automobile Association, being a great advo- cate of good roads.


GEORGE A. WILLSON .- A young man who, through his efficient, faithful discharge of public du- ties, won for himself a host of friends, was the late George A. Willson, popular deputy sheriff and jailer at the Santa Clara County Jail, and a native of San Jose, where he was born on February 15, 1889. His father, Alfred B. Willson, came to California from New York in 1887, and for thirty years was identified with the California Fruit Canners Association, doing much to advance the permanent interests of that im- portant industry.


George Willson attended the grammar and high schools of San Jose, and when only fifteen years old started to make his own way in the world. He secured employment with the Evening News, and for four years was a valued employe. He then be- came a pressman for A. Q. Smith, the job printer, and he was in his service for another four years. His next office of trust was that of treasurer of the Empire Theatre, which he continued to fill for a year, and for two years he was associated with the San Jose Street Railroad. In 1913, he became a patrolman on the staff of the Merchants' Patrol, and he rose steadily there until the World War called for his services.


He entered the U. S. Army on June 28, 1918, and was sent to Camp Kearney, where he was identified with the Intelligence Department at the Camp Head- quarters, and he remained in this work until he was discharged, on February 2, 1919, having been made a sergeant. He then returned to San Jose, and for several months he served again on the Merchants' Patrol. Then he was made a deputy sheriff, and later the jailer of the Santa Clara County jail.


Boussy


Ferdinany


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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY


On June 14, 1918, Mr. Willson was married at San Jose to Miss Margaret Guy, a native of North Carolina, in which state she was born, near States- ville, but who came to San Jose a few years ago. Mr. Willson was a member of the San Jose Post of the American Legion, and it is needless to say that there, as elsewhere he was a man courageous in both con- victions and actions. He died January 9, 1922, after an illness of only four days.


STEPHEN D. ZARO .- A man of much enterprise, practical and progressive, Stephen D. Zaro, has at- tained a good measure of success by his perseverance, energy and ambition. Born in Dalmatia, in the town of Bobovisch, Isle of Brac, on July 23, 1865, he is the son of Peter and Madalaine (Sworeicke) Zaro, who were well-to-do farmers of their native land, raising olives and grapes in abundance. The father, Peter Zaro, was a public-spirited man, serving as town trustee, and was a highly esteemed and honored citizen of his community.


Stephen D. Zaro spent his boyhood days on the farm with his parents, and in the year of 1881, he left home to seek His fortune in the United States, coming directly to Santa Cruz, where his brother, Mark Zaro, resided and who was a pioneer in the restau- rant business. Stephen D. Zaro was employed by him for more than seven years, learning thoroughly the restaurant business. When Mr. Zaro was twenty- two, he received word from his father that he wished him to come home to be at his bedside when he passed away, which he did, remaining there for a year and a half, until his father died in 1888 at the age of seventy-eight years, his mother living to be seventy four years old. While on this visit to his native land, the Austrian government gave him no- tice to enlist in the army, or leave the country, and in three days time, he was on his way to America, returning to Santa Cruz; however, he only remained there for six months, when he removed to San Jose, and entered the employ of the Overland Res- taurant as night manager, and was thus employed for three years. Desiring to establish his own busi- ness, he removed to San Francisco, where he opened a restaurant on East Street opposite the Howard Street wharf, which he conducted for a year and a half with marked success.


The marriage of Mr. Zaro on December 25, 1895, united him with Miss Mary Cusanovich, a native daughter of California born April 2, 1873, at Sutter Creek, Amador County, the daughter of John and Clementine (Lukinovich) Cusanovich, who came to America in 1845, later removing to California in 1849. The father worked in the placer mines of Amador County and died aged sixty-five; the mother resides in San Francisco; her early ancestors were prominent seafaring men and successful commission merchants. Mrs. Zaro was educated in the schools of Sutter Creek, and was especially interested in the study of the Bible, becom- ing very proficient as a teacher, and was teaching in the Sunday School at the age of eighteen, and con- tinued to follow this line of work until her marriage to Mr. Zaro. They are the parents of five children; Peter died at the age of twenty-two, a fine young man of excellent characteristics; Madeline is employed by the Ford garage as cashier; Maria, deceased; John, a student of the Lincoln school, and Louis,


also a student. In 1895, Mr. Zaro purchased the Overland Grill, the oldest establishment of its kind in San Jose. He was one of three partners, and the business was operated successfully until 1909, when the company suffered severe reverses, through no fault of Mr. Zaro, but with courage and determina- tion, he started anew, establishing a small restaurant on West Santa Clara Street, and at the end of three years he was forced to enlarge his quarters, and sold an interest in the business to Peter Bava, who is now chief chef. The business continued to grow until they were compelled to remove to still larger quar- ters, now known as Zaro's Grill, and is noted through- out the locality for their excellent Italian and French dinners. In 1918, Louis Dossee was taken in as partner and is the capable house manager. With an experience covering forty years in this line of work, he has, through his efficient management, helped to bring the business to a very lucrative basis. Politcally, Mr. Zaro is a stanch Democrat, who adheres strictly to the principles of this party. Fraternally, he is a member of the Eagles, Red Men, and is at present the vice-president of the Slavonian Society of San Francisco; he is a charter member of the American-Slavonian Society of San Jose, which was organized in 1894 by ten men, and which he has served for fifteen years as treasurer. In 1909, the family purchased a beautiful home at 152 Spencer Avenue, where they still reside. On the 4th of July, 1917, Mr. Zaro's daughter was chosen for queen of the float entered in the parade by the American- Slavonian Society. A self-made man, he has worked his way up from a poor boy to a position of afflu- ence, honored and respected as an upright and reli- able business man.


GASTON BONNET .- Among the men of foreign birth who have made the hest of the opportunities, which they are unable to enjoy in their native land, and that are offered in California, is Gaston Bonnet, the proprietor of a ladies tailoring establishment, whose place of business is located at 37 South Second Street. He was the son of Joseph and Mary (Daynes) Bonnett, his father being an expert shoemaker who lived in different villages and towns in France where he followed his trade.


Gaston Bonnet received his education in the French grammar schools and later a school that is on a par with the course given in our high schools. At a very early age he took up tailoring as a trade, serving four years as an apprentice, after which he spent several years in Paris, and in 1904, coming to Amer- ica, stayed in New York for several years. He re- turned to France in 1910 to claim his bride and again came to the United States, this time making his way direct to San Francisco, Cal., where he worked at his trade for nearly two years and in September, 1912, came to San Jose and opened up a tailoring shop, located in the Auzerais Building, until moving to 37 S. Second Street. Here he operates an exclusive ladies tailoring shop, always giving the best of serv- ice, making very chic garments, and the excellence of his workmanship has given him an established clien- tele among the best people of Santa Clara County.


Mr. Bonnett's marriage occurred in France in Jan- uary, 1910, and united him with Miss Josephine Desaymoz, who was also born in France in the vicin-


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HISTORY OF SANTA CLARA COUNTY


ity of her husband's birthplace. She was the daughter of Everest and Sophie Desaymoz. Mr. and Mrs. Bonnet are the parents of a daughter, Genevieve. Mr. Bonnet has been established in San Jose for over ten years and the people of this community have come to know him as very reliable and expert, so that he has built up an excellent business. In na- tional politics, he is a stanch Republican and he is a member of the Merchants' Association.


C. C. CHURCHILL .- Some exceptionally interest- ing pioneer associations are recalled in the story of C. C. Churchill, the rancher of Gish Road, near San Jose, and his good wife, whose family were sturdy frontier people. He was born in Lamoille County, Vt., on May 27, 1848, the son of Norman and Eliza M. (Spalding) Churchill, and descended from an old- line Vermont family, among whom may be numhered Winston Churchill, the well-known author now again a resident of the Green Mountain State. Our sub- ject's father was a farmer who had mechanical talent; he put up all of his own buildings, and often erected structures for his neighbors, as well. C. C. Churchill enjoyed the advantages of both the grammar and the high school educational courses, being the only son, when his brother, Lyman N., died, and growing up. he took charge of his father's ranch and ran it, and he also learned the blacksmith trade. Coming out to California he settled at Watsonville as a master black-


smith; and for thirty years he served the public there- about as a clever and dependable smith might be ex- pected to do in a growing community.


At Lafayette, in Contra Costa County, on February 21, 1880, Mr. Churchill was married to Miss A. Ellen Gorham, a native of Lafayette, and the daughter of Medford and Melissa Ann (Allen) Gorham. Her father was a rancher who came to California in 1851 from Mineral Point, Wis., and her mother came across the plains to California from Pike County, Mo., in 1846, the stepdaughter of Elam Brown, a member of the first California legislature that met on December 15, 1849, under Governor Burnett. There were four children in the Gorham family, the first-born being O. A. Gorham, of Oakland, and the next in the order of birth, J. E. Gorham of San Miguel. Henry M. Gorham was the youngest, and the next after Ellen.


In 1904 Mr. and Mrs. Churchill left Watsonville and purchased a ranch of sixteen acres on the Gish Road, near the San Jose-Alviso Road, where he built a home, set out berries, and established a dairy. Two children have grown to maturity. Josephine married C. F. Dexter; Arthur married Emma F. Dose, and they have five children,-Stanley, Kenneth, Raymond, Lil- lian and Clifford. Mr. Churchill is a Republican, has passed all the chairs of the subordinate lodge of Odd Fellows, and is a member of the San Jose Encamp- ment of that order.


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