USA > Indiana > Adams County > Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana : Containing portraits of all the Presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each : a condensed history of the state of Indiana : portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Adams and Wells counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families, and a concise history of the counties and their cities and villages, pt. 1 > Part 29
USA > Indiana > Wells County > Biographical and historical record of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana : Containing portraits of all the Presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each : a condensed history of the state of Indiana : portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Adams and Wells counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families, and a concise history of the counties and their cities and villages, pt. 1 > Part 29
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
Mr. Weldy's residence is built was burned on his own farm. Mr. Weldy is a member of the Odd Fellows order, belonging to St. Mary's Lodge, No. 167, at Decatur, Indiana.
OHN E. AND MONROE ROSE, man- agers of the drug and grocery business of lloffman & Gottschalk, at Berne, are natives of Wells County, Indiana, born in Nottingham Township; the former March 1, 1858, and the latter January 29, 1861, and are sons of Peter and Mary (Gottschalk) Rose. The father was a farmer by oceupa- tion. IIe enlisted in Wells County during the war of the Rebellion, went South, and died in a hospital at Nashville, Tennessee. The mother was a native of Wurtemberg, Ger- many, coming to America with her parents when but three years old, they settling in Wells County, Indiana, in an early day. The parents were married in Wells County, and to them were born five children, all sons but the youngest child. They were among the early settlers of Adams County, coming here when it was quite new, the land on which they settled being covered with a heavy growth of timber. Here the father erected a humble log cabin with puncheon floor and elapboard roof. lle was a member of the Evangelical ehnrel. The mother of our sub- jeets still resides on the old homestead. After her husband's death she subsequently married John Shigley, one of the prominent farmers of Nottingham Township, who had been previously married and had a family of several children. Both Mr. and Mrs. Shigley are church members, the former being a Dunkard, and the latter a member of the Evangelical Association. The brothers whose names head this sketeh were reared to agri- cultural pursuits on their father's farm, and
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received their education in the common schools of their neighborhood. At the age of nineteen years John E. began working for himself, finding employment among the neighboring farmers until September 8, 1879, when he entered the store of Iloffinan & Gottschalk. lle was married April 4, 1886, to Miss Lizzie Bebont, who was born in Adams County, Indiana, January 16, 1868. In January, 1882, Monroe Rose engaged in his present ocenpation in the store of Iloff- man & Gottschalk. This firm was established in 1873, their building being owned by Mr. Iloffinan. They carry a well-selected stoek valued at abont $5,000, and do an extensive trade.
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ANDREW J. BYRD, of Wabash Town- ship, where he is engaged in farming on seetion 33, is a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, the date of his birth being February 24, 1834. His parents, Thomas and Mary (Bowers) Byrd, were natives of the State of Virginia. They removed to Fairfield County, Ohio, about 1818, being among thie first settlers of that county. In 1858 they settled in Jay County, Indiana, remaining there until 1864, when they came with their family to Adams County, locating on the farm which is now occupied by the subject of this sketch. Here both died, the mother in1868, in her sixty-sixth year, and the father in 1878, aged seventy-eight years. The father was a miller by trade, but after coming to Adams County followed agricultural pur- suits. Both were members of the Protestant Methodist church at the time of their death, Unt in early life belonged to the United Brethren church. Andrew J., our subject, grew to manhood on the home farm in Adams County, receiving but limited educa-
tional advantages. He has always followed the avocation of a farmer, and since fifteen years of age he has run a threshing machine with the exception of a few falls. Ile re- mained at home until thirty-two years of age, when he was married to Caroline Lehr. She was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, Febru- ary 21, 1847, coming to Indiana with her parents when young. To this union were born four children-Mary Etta, Rufus M., James Wilkinson and Susan A. E. Mrs. Byrd died May 18, 1875. She was a member of the United Brethren church. Mr. Byrd is a member of the same denomination. In poli- ties he is a Democrat, and has filled the office of assessor of his township to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. Ilis farm contains forty acres of land, which is well im- proved and under good cultivation.
HAMON HEDINGTON, farmer and stock-dealer, residing on section 32, Blue Creek Township, is a native of Adams County, Indiana, born in Monroe Township, April 2, 1846, a son of Labon Hedington. Hle grew to manhood on his father's farm in Monroe Township, his youth being spent in assisting his father with the work of the farm and in attending the schools of his district, where he obtained a common-school eduea- tion. Ile was married August 1, 1867, to Mary Smith, who was born in Adams County, Indiana, July 2, 1848, a daughter of Morgan Smith, one of the pioneers of the county, who is now deceased. They are the parents of six children, whose names are-Carrie, Thomas, Rufus, Ilarry, Lucy and Homer. After his marriage Mr. Hedington settled on the farm where he now resides, which con- tains seventy-two acres of choice land. IIe has been engaged in buying and shipping
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stock for ten years, buying the first ear-load that was shipped from Berne, for David Crabbs. Politically Mr. Iledington affiliates with the Democratic party. Ile was a can- didate for sheriff in 1877, and eame within fifty-four votes of being nominated. IIe is an active, public-spirited citizen, and in all enterprises for the advancement of his town- ship or county he takes an active interest.
OHN DEAM HALE, clerk of the circuit court of Adams County, was born in Bluffton, Wells County, Indiana, De- eember 27, 1842. He lived in his native place till fourteen years of age, when his parents removed to a farm in the vicinity of Bluffton. He remained on the farm till attaining the age of eighteen years, receiving his education in the public schools of Bluff- ton and vicinity. August 15, 1862, he eu- listed in Company B, One Hundred and First Indiana Infantry, under Captain Peter Studa- baker, his regiment being assigned first to Tyrrell's Brigade, Jackson's Division, Army of the Ohio, afterward to the Second Brigade, Third Division of the Fourteenth Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland. On the organization of his company he was chosen Corporal. He participated in all the battles of the Army of the Cumberland until No- vember 25, 1863, when he was severely wounded at the battle of Missionary Ridge, the ball passing through his left side and perforating his left lung. 1Ie lay on the field on the summit of the ridge, about one-fourth of a mile north from Bragg's headquarters, from 4 p. M. until about 9 p. M., when he was found by comrades who were searching for the dead and wounded. He was then taken to the hospital at Chattanooga, where he lay unconscious for weeks, and remained there
until about February 1. It having been re- ported that he was dead, his father went to Chattanooga, expecting to take the remains home, and then remained and nursed him in the hospital from January 15 until February 1, when he received a sixty days' furlough. After sufficiently recovering from his wound he rejoined his regiment at Marietta, Geor- gia, when he took part in the battle of Peach Tree Creek, siege of Atlanta, battle of Jones- boro, was with Sherman on his march to the sea and through the Carolinas, and also at the battle of Bentonville, and was at the grand review at Washington, D. C., at the close of the war. He received an honorable discharge at Indianapolis, June 24, 1865, by general order of the War Department and the close of the war. Ile then returned to his father's farm in Wells County, where he worked during the summers, and in the win- ter months taught school, until October, 1867, when he engaged in business at Bluff- ton. Ile was married September 8, 1869, at Camden, Schuyler County, Illinois, to Miss Caroline Holmes, who was born in Hartford Township, Adams County. In her sixth year she removed with her parents to Wells County, Indiana, and at the time of her mar- riage was a teacher at Camden, Schuyler County, Illinois. Mr. and Mrs. Hale are the parents of four children-Ethelyn, Olive Leone, Sarah Blanch and Genevieve, all living at home. In 1868 Mr. Ilale engaged in the dry goods business at Bluffton, in company with A. Deam, with whom he was associated under the firm name of A. Deam & Co., until January, 1872, when he removed to Geneva, Adams County, and formed a partnership with his brother, S. W. Hale, with whom he has since been associated in the grain business under the firm name of S. W. Hale & Brother. March 1, 1872, he was appointed the first agent at Geneva, and
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served as station and express agent until May 1, 1876, when he resigned his position in favor of his brother, S. W. Hale. In 1882 he was elected clerk of the circuit court, being re-elected to the same office in 1886. Ile was one of the pioneers of Geneva, and to his efforts it owes much of its present prosperity. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hale are active members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Decatur. Mr. Hale is a son of Bowen and Mary Ann (Deam) Hale, who were among the earliest pioncers of Wells County, Indiana.
HRISTIAN F. BLAKEY, a farmer residing on section 21, Union Township, owns 400 acres of land in Adams County. He came to the county November 27, 1840, with his parents, who settled on the farm now owned by our subject. His father, John Il. Blakey, was born in Prussia, No- vember 3, 1797, and died March 8, 1883. The mother, Christina (Schwer) Blakey, was also born in Prussia, May 11, 1798. She died March 6. 1869. In 1835 the mother came to America with six children, the father having preceded them in the fall of 1834. They landed in Baltimore, and went directly to West Virginia, where they met the father, who was working by the month among the farmers. Here the family lived two years, then removed to Cincinnati, where they lived three and a half years, where both old and young members of the family worked at any- thing they could find to do. In the fall of 1838 the father came to Adams County, and after looking around, borrowed some purchase money from a friend and entered the north- west quarter of section 21, Union Township. Returning to Cincinnati, he remained there until the fall of 1840, when, with one horse
and an ox team, accompanied by his family, he started to make a permanent home in Adams County. The roads were so muddy, and utterly impassable, that they were obliged to leave a portion of their household goods at New Bremen, Ohio. They impro- vised a eart upon which they packed the most necessary articles, and again started for their Indiana home, the mother and children walking. In this way they made about five miles a day, camping ont at night, and landed in their new home the 27th day of November. They cut two crotchet poles, set them on the ground, connected them with a pole, and stretched the wagon cover over it. In this way they lived until they could eonstrnet a rough log house, moving into it the 24th day of the following December, without root or floor. They lived in this house until 1852, when they built the house that Christian now occupies. They came to the county with only a few dollars, and, as has been stated, in debt for a portion of the purchase money of the land first entered. Christian found work on the Manmee and Erie Canal, where he in part supported the family and assisted in paying the borrowed money. Mr. Blakey was born in Prussia, May 7, 1821, and was four- teen years old when his parents came to America. He was married in 1849 to Miss Lonisa Falsing, who was also born in Prussia, in 1833. She came to America in 1842, with her parents, Frederick and Louisa Falsing, who settled in Preble Township, this county. Mrs. Blakey died in 1856, and in 1858 Mr. Blakey married Mary A. Rupp, who was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in 1833, daughter of George and Amanda Rupp. By the first marriage there were three children -Mary, Sophia and John II. By the second marriage were ten children, eight of whom are living-Eliza, Charles, Frederick, Martin, Theodore, Edward, Matilda and Otto. The
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deceased are-Christian and Christine, who died in infancy.
EIIU SMITH was born in St. Mary's Township, this county, October 12, 1838. Ilis father, Robert Smith, was born in Ohio in 1810. His mother, Mary (Ray) Smith, was a native of Pennsylvania. Ilis paternal grandparents, Alexander and Mar- garet (Mock) Smith, were natives of Vir- ginia. The grandfather removed to St. Mary's Township in the fall of 1832 and entered 610 acres of land, upon which he removed his family the following spring. His son Robert was married soon after and settled upon 140 aeres, a gift from his father. The land was unimproved, bnt soon a log house with elapboard roof and the conventional punch- eon floor was finished, and thus comfortably situated, the parents of our subject began their home life. Aere after acre was cleared and improvements were made until the for- est was converted into a valuable and pro- duetive homestead. - Jehu's mother died here in October, 1866. The parents had six sons -Alexander, Jehu, Samuel, Archibald, Rob- ert and William. They also had one dangh- ter -- Naney Jane. After the death of his wife, Robert moved upon a sixty-acre traet south of the St. Mary's River. In 1879 the father died, and his son William inherited the farm. The father was of Dutch ancestry and the mother of Irish. They were pioneers in the township, and were land-owners. Jehu and Mary Ann Peterson were united in marriage April 19, 1867. Mrs. Smith was born July 26, 1848. Iler father, who is still an active citizen of St. Mary's Township, is J. W. Peterson, and was born March 29, 1819. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have had five children, four of whom are living-Louisa G.,
born February 22, 1868; Sylvester, born November 13, 1872; Robert F., born Jam- ary 8, 1875; John W., born February 28, 1879. Mrs. Smith's mother was formerly Hannah Smith, who was born November 20, 1821, and died July 1, 1857. Iler paternal grandfather was William Peterson, and her grandmother was Jane White, born January 1, 1800. Jehu rented a farm of his aunt, upon which he lived about two years. lle then moved upon his present farm, consisting of sixty aeres, lying south of St. Mary's River. There were only ten aeres cleared, and a log cabin and log stable had been built. Hle now resides in a neat and commodious frame dwelling, and the farm has fifty aeres cleared; it is conceded to be one of the finest farms in the township. Jehu's father had one brother, Samnel Smith, who married Nancy Ray, and is now deceased. lle had eight sisters, two of whom are living - Louisa and Margaret. His mother's living brothers are-Robert, Archibald, Elias and Smith. Her sisters are-Elsie, Elizabeth and Jane. J. W. Peterson has six brothers living-David, Isaac, James, Jacob, Lafay- ette and Cyrus; Henry is deceased, dying in the United States service during the war of the Rebellion. His sisters were-Hannah, Laura Jane, Mary Ann, Isabella and Eliza- beth, the latter of whom is deceased. Alex- ander Smith was in the war of 1812, and received an honorable discharge and a land- warrant. His wife received a pension. Mrs. Smith's brothers were-Henry Clay, Robert S., Sylvester W. Two of the brothers served in the war of the Rebellion, Henry Clay in Company I, Eighty-ninth Indiana Infantry, and Robert S. served in the Thirteenth Cav- alry. Our subject had four brothers who gave honorable service to their country during the war-Samuel, who died during the siege of Vieksburg, was a member of the Forty-
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seventh Indiana Infantry; Robert, who was a member of the Eleventh Indiana Cavalry, died while in the service; Archibald, who was a member of the Thirteenth Infantry, was captured at Antietam and died in prison. William was also a soldier for the Union. Jchu first enlisted in Company 1, Eighty-ninth Indiana Infantry, Captain Ban- ta being his first commander, and Murray being his Colonel. After being mustered in at Wabash, the regiment was ordered to In- dianapolis, thence to Louisville, thenee to Munfordville, Kentucky, where the entire command was captured, September, 1863, by General Bragg. then commanding the Con- federate forces. The regiment was paroled the following day and ordered to Indianapo- lis, where Jeho received a furlough of twenty days. When he returned he was transferred to Company D, Eleventh United States Reg- ulars, Captain Chipman, aud Colonel Jones. Jehin was ordered to report at the head- quarters of the Eleventh, which was at Bos- ton, Massachusetts. In April, 1863, the regiment, under Burnside, who was then in command of the Army of the Potomac, un- dertook to cross the Rappahannock River, which effort proved unsuecessful, the artil- lery being swamped in the mud. General Lee took great pains to inform his followers of this incident by putting up sign-boards on trees which read, " Burnside's army is stuck in the mud." The artillery, however, was soon taken out of the mud, by the boys, and General Burnside being relieved, General Hooker took command in May, 1863. IIe then crossed the river, taking first his cav- alry, next his infantry, and lastly his artillery, and attacked General Lee, who showed great resistance; but after two days of desperate and bloody contest, the rebels were forced to retreat; then began the historieal pursuit of " Hooker after Lee," through Maryland to
Pennsylvania, where Lee made the famous stand July 1, 1863, at Gettysburg, with his entire armny. In this, the greatest battle fought during the war, Jehu participated with his regiment, fighting continuously un- til the third day, when Lee retreated. Mr. Smith's regiment entered the fight with 600 men, out of which 300 were killed and many others wounded. It had made a forced march of sixty miles, marching the entire night and during the following day just previous to the battle, and on the eve'of July 2, at + o'clock, entered the engagement. After this memorable battle the Eleventh Regulars crossed the Potomac River into Virginia, July 10, 1863, when Mr. Smith was taken siek and was sent to Washington, where he remained about two months. From there he was sent to Fort Independence, Massachu- setts, to the headquarters of the Eleventh, and remained there until May 2, 1864, when he was discharged for honorable, faithful service. His family has a good army record, from the war of 1812 to the war of the Rebellion. He is a worthy member of the Willshire Post, No. 351, G. A. R.
RAYTON M. AYERS, an old settler of Adams County, was born in Madison County, New York, December 28, 1815, son of John W. and Catherine Ayers, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of Massachusetts. Mr. Ayers' father was a surgeon in the war of 1812. His parents emigrated to Warren County, Pennsylvania, where they lived several years, then removed to Belinont County, Ohio, where his father practiced medieine about twenty years, after which he removed to Medina County, Ohio, and there died. Mr. Ayers' parents had six children, of whom two are living-Mary J.
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and Drayton M. He received a common- school education, and his early life was spent in various oceupations. He was married in Richland County, Ohio, February 9, 1843, to Elizabeth Z. Crabs, born March 30, 1823, in that county. They had ten children, of whom six survive-Nathan, Perry, Walter, Ida, wife of Samuel Teeple, Albert and Melvin. In 1853 our subject, with his family, imini- grated to Adams County, Indiana, settling in Washington Township, where they have seen much of pioneer life. His wife died Jannary 2, 1878. She was a kind and loving wife and mother, and is greatly missed. by the surviving members of her family. Mr. Ayers is a member of the Baptist church, and for several years has officiated as deaeon. In polities he is a Prohibitionist. He owns 200 acres of excellent land, and has been a suc- cessful farmer. All he has he has earned by honest industry and good management. In his younger years he worked at the cabinet maker's trade for some years.
ORVAL BLACKBURN, publisher of the Democrat, is a son of Thomas K. and Anna Blackburn, natives of Penn- sylvania. They were married there, removed to Holmes County, Ohio, in 1833, to Stark County, same State, in 1849, and in 1850 to Indiana, settling in Adams County. They resided here, engaged in farming, until 1865, since when they have lived on a farm in Newton County, this State. They reared a large family; Norval was the fifth child, and is the third of those now living. He was born Jannary 16, 1843, and lived with his parents on the farm until twenty years old, receiving a common-school education. In September, 1863, he enlisted as a private in Company C, Eleventh Cavalry, One Hundred
and Twenty-sixth Regiment Indiana Volun- teers, and he was afterward promoted sue- eessively to Second Lieutenant, First Lienten- ant and Captain. He was mustered ont Sep- tember 19, 1865. During the next nine years he was successively engaged in several pursuits in Adams County. In December, 1874, he was appointed deputy sheriff, which office he filled for four years. In 1878 he was elected clerk of the court, which office he entered November 1, 1879, and vacated November 1, 1883. A few weeks after the latter date he bought a half interest in the Democrat, and in February following he be- eame sole proprietor. May 14, 1885, he was appointed postmaster of Decatur, and between the postoffice and the conduet of the official newspaper of Adams County, Mr. Blackburn is a very busy man. Ilis long service as a public official has made him universally known in the county, and he is always spoken of as a liberal, popular citizen. Ile is a member of the Masonic order and of the Grand Army of the Republic. Mr. Black- burn was nnited in marriage August 21, 1869, with Sarah J. Stoops, daughter of James Stoops, of Decatur. They have been given four children; of these, two, Nellie and Hattie, are living.
W. PRUDEN, a prosperous agrienlt- urist of Adams County, engaged in farming and stock-raising on seetion 29, Blne Creek Township, was born in Shelby County, Ohio, October 29, 1834, a son of Peter and Christiana (Amos) Pruden, the father a native of New Jersey and the mother of Kentneky, and of English and German descent. He was reared to the avocation of a farmer, which he has made his life-work. IIe was married near Piqua, Miami County,
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Ohio, February 12, 1861, to Miss Minerva S. Frost, who was born in that county in 1840, and was a daughter of Ebenezer and Nancy (MeReynolds) Frost. Of the eight children born to this union seven are living- William C. married Fanny A. Kitchen, of Piqua, Ohio; Frost, Nannie A., George H., James, Clara A. and Alfred. Mr. Proden enlisted in the war of the Rebellion in 1862, and was assigned to Company F. Eighty- third Illinois Infantry. He participated in the two battles of Donnelson, and was inus- tered ont at Nashville, Tennessee. Ile then went to Chicago, Illinois, and from there returned to his home in Ohio. In 1872 he came with his family to Adams County, In- diana, and settled where he has since resided in Blue Creek Township. He purchased 200 acres of uneultivated land here, which he has converted into a fine farm, and is elassed among the well-to-do farmers of his town- ship. He had bnt 8300 when he left the army, and from this small beginning he has acquired his present fine property, the result of persevering energy and good management.
EWIS CASS MILLER, auditor of Adams Connty, is one of the prominent citizens of the county, and one of her most popular native-born children. IIe was born in Hartford Township, February 19, 1846, a son of Daniel and Elizabeth (Dougherty) Miller. His father was an ardent supporter of Democracy, and named his son in honor of the statesman and Democratic candidate for the presidency, Lewis Cass. IIe was a native of Ohio, of German ancestry. When a young man he entered Government land in Adams County, and in 1839 removed with his fam- ily to his newly entered land and went bravely to work to make a home in the wilderness of 20
Eastern Indiana. He was a resident of Adams County over forty-two years, and died on the homestead, in Hartford Township, in August, 1881, aged seventy years. Ile was a member of no church, and although influential in publie eireles was no aspirant for office, the only one he ever held being town-hip trus- tee. The mother of Lewis Ca-s Miller was a native of Ireland, but was brought by her parents to America when two years of age, and was reared in Westmoreland County, Penn- sylvania. She was married to Mr. Miller about 1836, in Darke County, Ohio, where her parents had removed a few years before. She survives her husband, and is now living with a daughter in Hartford Township. She is a member of the Christian church. Mr. Miller was reared on the homestead in Hart- ford Township, where, when not in school, he assisted in the work of the farm. He was educated in the schools of Adams County, and when nineteen years of age began teach- ing in the district schools. Ile tanght eight winters, devoting his summers to farming. In the meantime he was married, and settled on a farm in his native township, which con- tinned his home until 1883, when, having been elected county auditor, he removed to Decatur to assume the duties of his office. He has proved an efficient and trustworthy officer, and is popular with his constituents. Reared in the Democratic school of politics, he has always been allied with that party, and is a staunch advocate of its principles. Ile is a member of the Adams County Dem- ocratic Central Committee. Ile served HIart- ford Township as trustee two terms of two years eael. lle is a member of no religious denomination, but is an attendant of the Bap- tist church, of which his wife is a member. He is a member of St. Mary's Lodge, No. 167, I. O. O. F. Mr. Miller was married September 14, 1871, at Bluffton, Indiana, to
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