USA > Iowa > Union County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 3
USA > Iowa > Ringgold County > Biographical and historical record of Ringgold and Union counties, Iowa, vol. 2 > Part 3
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
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March 2, 1849, a son of John and Aun Gorsuch, also natives of the Keystone State, the son and father being born in the same house. The family moved to Mon- roe County, lowa, in is58, and in that coun- ty the father improved four farms. He was an active, useful man and much re- spected by all who knew him. His death occurred in Monroe County, July 8, 1878, at the age of fifty six years. The mother still lives on the homestead with five of her children-Mary, Elizabeth E., Sarah E., George W. and Perry E. Two sons besides our subject, Robert and Thomas C., live in Riley Township. One son, William C., lives in +Hastings, Nebraska, and another, Esli T., lives in Beadle County, Dakota. Amanda and David A. are deceased. J. Mack Gorsuch remained under the home roof until twenty-two years of age, and then, as before stated, came to Ringgold County. He was married March 12, 1872, to Agnes A. Farmer, who was born in Henry County, lowa, May 25, 1853, a daughter of James and Rebecca Farmer, her father a native of Ohio, and her mother of Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Gorsuch have two children-Minnie M., born February 28, 1874, and Charles E., born May 13, 1880. Mr. Gorsuch has served his town- ship as school director and road supervis- or. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
native county. He was married in June, IS78, to Lydia Shoemaker of Mahaska County, and to this union have been born two children -- Charles and Arthur J. In the spring of 1882 our subject came with his family to Ringgold County, and settled in Tingley Towaship on part of his father's farm, of 320 acres, he having cighty acres of well-improved land. Jacob F. Coffin, father of our subject, was born in Jackson County, Indiana, June 7, 1834, a son of Samuel and Sophia (Fisher) Coffin, the former born in North Carolina in 1809. Jacob F. was nine years of age when his parents settled in Lee County, Indiana, and a year later moved to Mahaska County. Iowa, where he was married to Maria Mc- Clain who was a native of. that county. They have four children living. Mr. and Mrs. Jacob F. Coffin now make their home in Ringgold County, lowa, where they own a fine farm of 320 acres located on section 10, Tingley Township.
EREMIAH C. GUSTIN, farmer and stock-raiser, living on section 6, Jeffer- son Township. is a native of Ohio, born in Adams County, June 14, 1846, a son of Jeremiah W. and Rachel (Maddox) Gustin, who were natives of Kentucky and Vir- ginia respectively. The father settled with his family in Marion County, lowa, in 1855, and in 1857 came to Ringgold County, at which time Indians and wild animals were the principal inhabitants, and here the father entered 1,000 acres of uncultivated land, where the family endured all the hardships and privations incident to pioneer life. The father died in this county May 16, 1880, and the mother is still living, mak- ing her home with her son, Alpheus M., in Jefferson Township. They were the par- ents of nine children, of whom five are yet
B YRON W. COFFIN, engaged in agri- cultural pursuits on section 10, Ting- ! ley Township, was born in Mahaska County, lowa, near Oskaloosa, January 22, 1856, a son of Jacob F. and Maria (Mc- Clain) Coffin, the father being a pioneer of : Mahaska County. Our subject was reared to agricultural pursuits, his father being a farmer by occupation, and his education was obtained in the common schools of his ; living --- Mrs. Hannah Cos, Mrs. Vienna
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HISTORY OF RINGGOLD COUNTY.
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Dunlap, Mrs. Rosetta Forl. Alpheus M. , ter of Alvin Poor, a prominent pioncer of and Jeremiah C. Jeremiah C. has always Ringgold County. A short time after his followed farming, in which he has met with | marriage Mr. Baird built a frame house, success, being now the owner of 285 acres ! of well-improve l land. Ile was married November 11, 1875, to Miss Mattie A. Page. a daughter of Edwin Page, who was killed in the late war, having been a member of Company G, Fourth Iowa Infantry. Mr. and Mrs. Gustin have five children-Cary E., Oriental J., Edwin P., Pearl and Violet. Mr. Gustin has served as school director for several years. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
&BS. BAIRD resides on section 1, Clin- ton Township, and is one of the well- known and leading pioneers of Ring- gold County. He was born in Putnam County, Indiana, December 4, 1831. His father, John Baird, was a son of Samuel Baird, a native of Scotland, and was born in Virginia. His mother, Martha (Moore) Baird, was a native of Kentucky. They were married in Indiana and were pioncers of Putnam County, locating in the heavy timber near Putnamville. They reared a family of six children-Samuel, Sarah Jane, Hartley, Mary, Absalom and Martha. Abs. resided in Putnam County until he grew to manhood. His early life was passed in as- sisting on the farm and in attending the ! common schools in the log school-houses of that day. After reaching his majority he was engaged in clerking in a store for four years. In 1856 he came to Iowa by team, and was on the road thirty days. He first located upon 120 acres of wild land that his father had entered from the Government in 1853. He was married January 1. 1860, 10 Miss Isabella Poor, a lady of high culture and education, who was asuccessful teacher and taught the first school in Clinton and Middle Fork townships. She was a dangh-
16 x 16, the first frame house built in the township. Here he has since resided and improved his land from time to time as his means would permit, and has added to his acres until he has, a splendid farm of 565 acres. It is divided into fields for the con- venience of stock, and a modern wind-mill furnishes his stock with an abundance of pure water. He hasa good, well-furnished house, barn, out-buildings for stock, an or- chard of 150 bearing trees, and small fruits. He makes a specialty of stock-raising and feeding, usually keeping from 100 to 150 head of cattle. Mr. and Mrs. Baird are the parents of ten living children-William A., Ida R., Julia B., Alice E., Samuel C., Ber- tha M., James Claude, Charles L., A. Roy and Day. Two are deceased : John E. died at the age of twenty-one years, and Rufus died at the age of twelve years. Mr. Baird has served creditably as township trustce, assessor, member of the Board of Supervis- ors, and was township clerk ten years. He has been a Republican since 1856. Post- office, Redding.
FRANCIS SMITH ROBINSON, one of Ringgold County's pioneer men, settled on section 7, Union Township, where he now lives, in the spring of 1857; his family consisting of his wife and five chil- dren. Mr. Robinson was born in Mel- bourne, Derbyshire, England, July 30, 1810, and came to the United States with his father and family in 1821, landing at Phila- delphia. The following winter they spent in Pittsburg, and in 1822 the family estab- lished their residence in Richland County, Ohio. There the father, Francis Robinson, followed agricultural pursuits the rest of his life, dying at his homestead many years
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
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ago. His first wife, Mary Tomlinson, died in England, in 1818. His second wife was Jane Dickens, to whom he was married in Pittsburg, in 1822. Our subject had two brothers-James, died at Philadelphia a few months after landing, and the other, Samuel, died many years later. By his father's second marriage our subject has two half-brothers, William and James S. The latter is Secretary of State in Ohio. The subject of our sketch, up to eight- cen years of age, was reared to a farm life, and then spent four years in a cooper's shop. His educational advantages were limited to sixty-six days of schooling, but he availed himself of all means for self- culture. His spare moments were applied to study during the day, often working with an open grammar in sight ; his nights were spent in the same indefatigable study. No obstacle could daunt or hinder him in his resolve to become possessed of the power brought only to the cultured. In his twenty-second year he commenced teach- ing school, and taught twenty-one terms. He married Miss Joanna M. Watson, in Richland County, Ohio, November 21, 1833. This umon was a happy one. Nearly one- half a century they trod life's pathway to- gether through hardships of pioneer life, the toil, trials and deprivations neces- sarily attendant upon making a home in a new country. The enjoyment of hopes realized, and in all things harmony and love, was their every-day life. She died February 21, 1882, in her sixty-ninth year. She had been a member of cither the Meth- odist or United Brethren church from the age of twenty-one years. To Mr. and Mrs. Robinson were born seven children- Anna Sophia, wife of John Clark, died at Santa Cruz, Colorado, and her two children, Wilbur and Maggie, were reared by their grandparents. Melvin, lives at Los An- arcles, California ; William W., enlisted in the Fourth lowa, and died from fever and 20
wounds received at the battle of Pea Ridge ; Oliva J., wife of II. D. Crawford, lives at Ottumwa ; Amelia 1., wife of George Bayles, of Seward, Nebraska ; Allic Mary, wife of W. H. Critchfield; Amandus, died at Shelby, Ohio, in infancy. Mr. Robinson is a member of the United Brethren church, and the author of the "Triune Theology," a work published in ISSI, and is also preparing additional mat- ter for publication under the same title.
BARON RUSH, farmer, section 3, Middle Fork Township, was born in Monroe County, Kentucky, Decem- ber 8, 1826. His parents were Benjamin and Rachel (Springer) Rush, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of South Carolina. They were married in Kentucky, and reared a family of thirteen children -- James, Ezekiel, Martha, William, Dennis, Desire, Hiram, Joshua, Benjamin, John, Aaron, Rachel and Isaac. Aaron was reared on a farm, and obtained his educa- tion in the common schools. IIc was mar- ried in September, 1847, to Miss Harmer, born in Monroe County, New York, daugh- ter of John and Sarah (Miller) Harmer. In 1849 he removed to Fayette County, Illinois, where he lived four years, thence to McDonough County, where he resided until the fall of 1865; then came to Ring. gold County. locating in Rice Township, where he improved 160 acres of wild land. In 186) he sold out and purchased his pres- ent farm, which had been partially im- proved. Ile has 120 acres, consisting largely of rich bottom lands on the west fork of Grand River, and it is one of the best stock farms in the vicinity. He has a good story-and-a-half residence, out-build- ings for stock, a good bearing orchard and small fruits. Mr. and Mrs. Rush are the parents of twelve children-James, John,
4.6.4.4
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HISTORY OF RINGGOLD COUNTY.
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Martha, Sirastus M., Rosetta, Loretta, Jo- siah Grant, Ella M .. Emma O., Peter, Isaac, Narcissa. The deceased are-Sarah Elizabeth and Thomas Jefferson. Mr. Rush has been a worthy member of the Methodist Episcopal church for forty years. Politically he is a Republican and a strong Prohibitionist. Postoffice, Delphos.
father, and the following year, is;S, moved to Ringgold County, lowa, and settled on the farm where he now lives, on section 26, Tingley Township, where he owns 160 acres of choice land, under good cultiva- tion. His farm buildings are comfortable and commodious, and his stock of cattle and hogs are of the best varieties. Mr. Price was married in Wisconsin, July 4, 1863, to Elvira F. Higday, a native of Rock County, daughter of Henry and Polly (Potter) Higday. They have three chil- dren-Grant B., Ada M. and Flora M. In politics Mr. Price has always been a Re- publican, casting his first Presidential vote for John C. Fremont, and his last for James G. Blaine.
AMES P. PRICE, a leading farmer and stock-raiser of Tingley Township, is a native of England, born in Hereford- shire, September 10, 1832, the second of seven children of Thomas and Anna (Pritchard) Price. In 1848 his parents im- migrated to America, coming on an Eng- lish sail vessel, and were thirty-one days making the trip. They landed at New FRYILLIAM S. McANINCH, a pros- perous agriculturist of Jefferson Township, living on section 9, was born in Putnam County, Indiana, March 5, 1835, a son of Samuel McAninch, who was a native of Kentucky, and an early settler of Putnam County, settling there in 1829. Our subject was reared on the home farm, and received a common-school education in the rude, log-cabin subscription schools of his native county. He was married Feb- ruary 1, 1859. to Miss Mary M. Johnson, a daughter of Isaac Johnson, of Kirkville, Iowa. To this union have been born nine children, of whom three are deceased. Those living are-Elmina A., Alvin W., Orval II., Ottis G., Arletta M. and James A. Mr. McAninch during the war of the Rebellion, was a member of the Eighteenth Indiana Battery three years, and was in learned the cooper's trade, which he fol- : the battles of Stone River and Chicka- mauga. He was with Sherman to Atlanta, York City, and from there went to Joliet, Will County, Illinois, and made that county their home the rest of their lives. The mother died in November, 1863, and the father in April, 1877. Two of their sons, George and Thomas, were soldiers in the war of the Rebellion, members of the One Hundredth Illinois Infantry, and George was killed at the battle of Chicka- mauga. James P. was reared on a farm, re- ceiving but limited educational advantages, as his father was too poor to pay for his schooling, and when sixteen years old was unable to read. After that age be went to school four winters, and thus learned the rudiments of an education. He remained with his parents until twenty-two years of age, when he went to Wisconsin, and was employed in a saw-mill, and afterward lowed until failing health bade him seek out- of-door employment, and accordingly he ; returning with General Thomas and fought engaged in farming. In isti he returned , at Nashville and Franklin and in other en- to WVill County, Illinois, and lived on the home farm until after the death of his
gagements, being under fire 167 days, and traveling over 11,000 miles while in the
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
service. He was promoted to Sergeant while in the service, and received an hon- orable discharge. He located in Keokuk County, Iowa, in the fall of 1865, and in the fall of isto became a resident of Ringgold County. He settled on his present farm in April, 1883, where he owns 200 acres of ' well-cultivated land, and is engaged in general farming and stock-raising, making a specialty of Poland-China hogs. Mrs. McAninch is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
EORGE D. FULLERTON. one of the active and enterprising farmers of Tingley Township, residing on sec- tion S, is a native of Indiana, born in Mon- roe County, near Bloomington, November 5, 18.45, a son of John and Mary Fullerton, his father being a native of Tennessee. His mother, whose maiden name was Mary Daugherty, was twice married, marrying for her first husband a man named Rob- crts. She was a native of Kentucky. The parents were among the early settlers of Indiana. They had a family of seven sons of whom five are yet living, our subject being the fifth child born to them. When he was eight years old his parents moved to Monroe County, Iowa, and settled on a farm near Albia, where they still make their home, the father being now seventy- six years of age, and the mother in her eightieth year. George D. Fullerton was reared to manhool on a farm in Monroe County, lowa, receiving a common- school education in the schools of the district. He enlisted in the late war, at the age of eight-
1 een years, a member of the Third Iowa Battery. Ile was in the service about two years, most of the the being on garrison duty, and was mustered out at D. venport, lowa, in November. 1865. After his dis- charge he returned to his home in Monroe
County, and was engaged in farming with his father for two years. He was then married, in 1867, to Miss Martha E. Mc- Gaw of Monroe County, who was born and reared in Coshocton County, Ohio, a daughter of John McGaw. Mrs. Fullerton was left an orphan when quite young, her mother dying when she was four years old, and her father when she was eleven years, after which she lived at the home of her uncle. Mr. and Mis. Fullerton have five children -- Cart C., John. Burt, Inez and Dwight. After his marriage Mr. Ful- lerton rented a farm on which he lived till 1870, when he came to Ringgold County, locating on his present farm, where he has 160 acres of choice land under good culti- vation, and has since been successfully ch- gaged in raising grain and stock. Mr. Fullerton has held the office of trustee of Tingley Township for six years. Both he and his wife are worthy members of the United Presbyterian church, of which he is a trustee. He has also been acting as superintendent of the Sabbath-school.
- B. FISHIER resides on section 1, Clin- ton Township, and is one of the Icading citizens of Ringgold County. Ile was born in Mercer County, Kentucky, July 15, 1831, son of James and Elizabeth (Brisco) Fisher, natives also of Kentucky. J. B. was the third of a family of seven children. When he was two years old his parents removed to Vermillion County, Indiana, and were among the pioneers of that county. His early life was spent at farm work and in attending the common schools. At the age of twenty-two he was married to Miss Mary Ann Wilkinson. : native of Vermillion County, and daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Tipton) Wilkinson. In 1855 he removed to Marion County. Iowa, where he resided two years, in
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HISTORY OF RINGGOLD COUNTY.
proving a piece of wild land. He then removed to Worth County, Missouri, where he improved a farm and resided un- til 1864, then came to his present farm in Clinton Township, which was then partly acres of well-cultivated and well-improved land. He has a comfortable, well-furnished house, surrounded with shade trees, an or- chard of 200 trees, and a good barn and out- buildings for feeding stock. He was married improved. Thirty acres were in cultiva- , September 29, 1867, to Miss Mary Jane tion and a small house had been built. He Shambaugh, danghter of C. D. and Sarah Shambaugh, and they have five children- Sarah Lena, Charles Walter, Cora Pearl, John William, and Avis Maud. Mr. Sho- walter has served as township trustee and as member of the School Board. He is a worthy and consistent member of the Christian church, and in politics is a Dem- ocrat. He is classed among the leading citizens of his township. Postoffice, Red- ding. has added to the improvements until the Fisher farm is known as one of the best farms in the township. He has 330 acres, a good story-and-a-half house, modern style, surrounded with shade trees, out- buildings for stock, and a fine orchard. A wind-mill furnishes the stock with pure water, and he has every convenience for stock-raising and feeding. Mr. and Mrs. Fisher have three children-James R., who resides in Benton Township ; Sarah, now Mrs. J. C. Abarr, residing in Nebraska, and George, who resides at home. Mr. Fisher is a member of the Masonic order, Mt. Ayr Lodge. No. 179, and in politics is a Democrat. Postoffice, Redding.
H. SHOWALTER, residing on sec- tion 7, Middle Fork Township, has been identified with the interests of Ringgold County over twenty years. Hc was born in Augusta County, Virginia, April 1, 1843, son of Nimrod and Sarah (Shambough) Showalter, natives of the same State. He was the third of a family of ten children. When three years of age his parents removed to Putnam County, Indiana, where he passed his early life as- sisting on the farm andl attending the com- mon schools. In 1863 he removed to Fayette County, Iowa, where he resided three years, then returned to Putnam County for a short time, and the stane year came to his present home in Middle Fork Township. He purchased 120 acres of wild land, and has since added to his orig. inal purchase until he has a farin of 200
FOSTER, proprietor of the Foster House, and also of a harness shop, Caledonia, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, October 16, 1842, son of James and Anna (Burgess) Foster. He was the second of a family of six children. When two years of age his parents re- moved to Holmes County, Ohio, where he was reared and educated. At fourteen he commenced work at harness-making, serv- ing an apprenticeship of three years. He then learned ornamental painting, and af- terward, boot and shoe-making. February 29, 1864, he enlisted in Company B, Six- tieth Ohio Infantry. His regiment was af- tached to the Army of the Potomac. In the engagement before Petersburg, Au- gust 17, he was wounded and taken pris- oner, and was held the greater part of the time at Andersonville. He was paroled November 26, 1864, and held at Parole Camp until honorably discharged May 8, 1865, at Camp Chase, Ohio, then returned to Holmes County. In 18;2 he removed to Ringgold County, locating at Caledonia, and engaged in the manufacture of harnesses. Hle keeps a good assortment, and sells at
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
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reasonable prices. He also manufactures boots and shoes. The Foster House is truly a place where the weary traveler can find food and rest. Mr. Foster is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge 293, Caledonia, and also of the Christian church. He was married February 7, 1864, to Miss Sarah Ellen McLain, and they have five children -Deanna, George William C., Margaret Emma, Etta Elmina, and Orpha Adella. Mrs. Foster died June 5, 1880, and August 1, 1881, Mr. Foster was, married to Loretta Small, of Harrison County, Missouri. Their two children are-Florence Edith and Rachel Ellen.
JOHN C. McCLURG, recorder of Ring- gold County, Iowa, is a native of Car- roll County, Indiana, born November 22, 1840, a son of A. J. and Isabel (Cham- bers) MeClurg, his father a native of Cumberland County, Tennessee, and his mother of Ohio, a daughter of John Cham- bers. His father was one of the first grand- jurors of Ringgold County, lowa. The parents moved to Monroe County, Iowa, where the mother died, in the spring of 1855, and the father subsequently moved to Ring- gold County and located on a farm in Washington Township, where he died in 1879. The family consisted of four children, John C. being the eldest son. When thirteen years old he was afflicted with bone crysip- elas, which destroyed the bone in the up- per part of his right arm, leaving about four inches entirely boneless. When sev- enteen years old he began working on a farm, and followed that vocation until 1882, when he was elected to his present office 'and moved to Mt. Ayr, assuming the duties of his office January 1, 1883. He was re- elected to the same office in 1884, having proved himself a reliable and efficient pub-
lic servant. He has served seven years as justice of the peace of Riley Township. October 22, 1864, Mr. McClurg was mar- ried to Mary J., eldest daughter of Abraham and Lucinda Johnson. They have a family of seven children-one son and six dangh- ters. Mr. McClurg is a member of Mt. Ayr Lodge, No. 169, I. O. O. F. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
ACOB A. SAVILLE, farmer, section 9, Middle Fork Township, was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia, January 17, 1841, son of John and Sarah (Shaffer) Saville, natives of Virginia. He was the fifth of a family of nine children, and his early life was spent on the farm and in at- tending the common schools. When fif- teen years of age his parents removed to East Tennessee, Knox County, where he lived until 1864, when he removed to Greene County, Ohio, thence to Cass Coun- ty, Illinois, thence to Morgan County, same State. Ile was married October 18, 18C6, to Mary E. Henderson. In the fall of 1871 he came to Ringgold County, and resided a few months at Mt. Ayr. In February. 1872, he settled upon a portion of his pres- ent farm. His first purchase was forty acres. A rude log cabin had been built and two or three acres had been broken and fenced. He has improved and added to his farm until he now has 120 acres in excellent condition. He has a good one-and-a-half story residence, modern style and well furnished, surrounded with shade trees, native oaks, a good orchard, barn, out- buildings for stock, and everything about the place indicates the thrift of the owner. Mr. and Mrs. Saville are the parents of nine children-Sarah Etta, Joseph H., John S., Jacob, George, Blanchie, Elmer, Bolle and Guy. Mr. Saville has been a worthy
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HISTORY OF RINGGOLD COUNTY.
member of the Methodist Episcopal church over twenty-two years, and a local preacher of that church for several years. He is an active worker in the cause of religion and temperance. Politically he is a Demo- crat of an independent order. Postoffice, Ingart.
out-buildings for stock, and is engaged in general farming, stock-raising and feeding. He is a Republican and has served as coro- ner two years, member of the School Board, and is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church ; has served as class-leader and steward about fifteen years. Mr. Millsap was married to Miss Oglesby, a native of Kentucky, and reared in Indiana. They are the parents of eight children-Eliza- beth M., Isaac M., Thomas J., Anna A., Mary Ann and William E. (twins), Alex- ander H. and Hattie B. Ferdinand, Alonzo P. and Willie A. are deceased ..
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