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 30
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 30
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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 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
Miss Nancy A. Russell, a daughter of one of the prominent citizens of Wells County. They have four children-Hugh, Edmond, Grace and Arthur.
DONIRAM JUDSON IIILL was born in Herkimer, Herkimer County, New York, October 9, 1832. His edneation was obtained in the common and select schools and completed by an academic course at Lit- tle Falls, New York. In the winter of 1848-'49 he emigrated with his father and family to Virginia, settling in the Shenan- doah Valley, near Front Royal, where he re- mained until he attained his majority. In the fall of 1852 he came to Indiana and set- tled in Adams County, which has since been his home. In the spring of 1859 he pur- chased a half interest in the Decatur Eagle, and a little later the entire interest in the paper, which he conducted until the fall of 1862, when he enlisted in the Eighty-ninth Indiana Volunteers and was elected Captain of Company IT. He took with him the en- tire force of the office, including "the devil" for a drummer boy. Ile continued in com- mand of the company until the fall of 1864, when his health failed; and he returned home in January, 1865. A draft was pending in the county at the time, which was soon wiped out by the enlistment of some sixty volun- teers by his personal exertion, which filled all demands made by the President for troops during the war. After this he resumed his old position on the Eagle, the office having been rented during his absence in the army. At the solicitation of John McConnell, then clerk of the Adams Circuit Court, he was made his deputy in the spring of 1865, and at the October election, 1857, was elected Mr. McConnell's successor. Four years after he
was re-elected, thus serving two terms. Ilis first presidential vote was east for James Buchanan, and he has always been active in the interests of the Democratic party, having been chairman of its central committee for some ten years. In the fall of 1874 he dis- posed of his interest in the Eagle to Joseph MeGonagle and opened a notion store. In Angust, 1881, he re-purchased the Eagle (meanwhile changed to the Democrat) of S. Ray Williams, and conducted it two years, when it was sold to Roth & Cummings. Since that time ill health, the result of ex- posure in the army, has kept him from any active business pursuits.
EORGE PONTIUS, one of the pros- perous farmers of Hartford Township, residing on section 26, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, February 23, 1827, a son of John and Julia A. (Critz) Pontius, who were natives of the same county as our subject, their parents being of Pennsylvania origin. They immigrated to Adams County, Indiana, in 1854, settling in Hartford Town- ship, on section 25, where they lived till their death, the mother dying March 1, and the father March 31, 1859, aged respectively fifty-four and fifty-three years. They were of German descent. Both were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. The father was a staunch Democrat in poli- tics, and during his life held many local offices of trust and responsibility. IIis father, George Pontius, was a soldier in the war of 1812. He died in Pickaway County, Ohio. George Pontius, the subject of this sketch, was reared to manhood on the home farm, and in his youth attended the common schools of his neighborhood, where he re- ceived but a limited education, but later in
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life received a good practical education, which has well fitted him for the duties of life. Ile remained at home till his marriage, May 13. 1850, to Miss Emily Shoemaker, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, January 12, 1832, a daughter of Daniel Shoemaker, a native of Pennsylvania, and an early settler of Fairfield County. Mr. Shoemaker came with his family to Indiana about 1855, first settling in Hartford Township, Adams County, and two years later removed to Newville, now Vera Cruz, in Wells County, where he bought a farm and saw and grist-mill, ope- rating the mill, in connection with his farm- ing pursuits, until his death in 1857. He was twice married, his first wife being Sophia Marks, a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, by whom he had four sons and two daughters. She died in February, 1832. She was a member of the German Lutheran church. For his second wife Mr. Shoemaker married Elizabeth Baker, and to this nnion were born five sons and two daughters. She died Sep- tember 28, 1855, at the advanced age of eighty-three years. She was a member of the German Reformed church. To Mr. and Mrs. Pontius have been born ten children- Mary Jane (deceased), Daniel, Sylvester, Clin- ton, Albert, Edward, Charles, Osaetta, George F. and John. After his marriage, in 1850, Mr. Pontius came to Adams County, Indiana, and settled on land given him by his father, located on the northwest quarter of seetion 26, Hartford Township, which was then unimproved and covered over with a heavy growth of timber. His first house here was made of hewed logs, 18 x 28 feet in size, and in this house he lived till 1871, when he built his present large and commodious resi- denee. It is built of briek and cost 84,000, and is one of the finest residences in this part of the township. His farm buildings for his stock are also noticeably good. Ile |
has a fine frame barn 45 x 108 feet, ereeted in 1873 at a cost of $3,000, and from a small beginning he has aeeumulated a large prop- erty, owning yet 240 acres after giving liber- ally to hischildren. He has experienced many of the hardships and privations ineident to pio- neer life, coming to Hartford Township among the early settlers, where he worked hard at chopping wood and e'earing land for 50 cents a day, his present prosperous condition having been gained by persevering industry and good management. In politics, like his father, he affiliates with the Democratic party. In November, 1886, he was elected commis- sioner of the Third Congressional District of Adams County, receiving a total of 2,012 votes, a majority of 748 votes over the Re- publican nominee. Both Mr. and Mrs. Pontius are members of the Methodist Epis- copal church. Their postoffice is Geneva, Indiana.
FRED. PYLE, a popular and snc- cessful teacher, residing at Geneva, is the eldest son of Andrew J. and Mary A. Pyle, who were among the early settlers of Wabash Township, and was born November 22, 185S. He remained at home with his parents till attaining his majority, receiving in his youth the benefits of the common schools of Adams County. In 1879- 'SO he attended the Northern Indiana Nor- mal School at, Valparaiso, Indiana, after which he engaged in teaching, which he fol- lowed till 1883. He then entered the Eastern Normal School at Portland, in Jay County, graduating from that institution in 1884, since which he has been engaged in teaching school during the winter term, and reading law under the preceptorship of William Drew at Geneva, and at present is teaching
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HISTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY.
in District 9, Wabash Township. November 1, 1885, he was united in marriage to Miss Clara Veley, a native of De Kalb County, Indiana, born October 27, 1867. They have an infant son, born April 22, 1887.
EV. FREDERICK BERG, pastor of the German Lutheran church in Root Township, was born in Logans- port, Indiana, March 20, 1856, where he re- mained until fourteen years of age, then went to Concordia College, at Fort Wayne, gradu- ating in 1875. Hle then went to Concordia Seminary, at St. Louis, Missouri, graduating there in 1578. He then became a missionary to the colored people at Little Rock, Arkan- sas, where he organized the first Lutheran church for colored people in the United States. He remained there until he came to his present pastorate. The membership is seventy-five aetive, voting members, and 379 souls in the congregation, with 235 commun- ieants. In Decatur he has an organized congregation with eight voting members, fif- teen communicants and twenty-four members of the congregation. The schools number sixty-five pupils. In this school all the com- mon branches are taught, and by rule of the church pupils are obliged to attend until fourteen years of age. They are then con- firmed as communicants, and the males at twenty-one become voting members. The parents of Mr. Berg were born in Prussia, Germany. The father came to America in 1853 or 1854 and settled in Logansport, In- diana, where he died October 23, 1856, aged twenty-eight years. The mother is still liv- ing in Logansport with a half-sister, Mrs. Augusta Smith. Mr. Berg was married July 10, 1879, to Miss Augusta Jox, who was born in Jackson County, Wisconsin, Angust
10, 1859, where she lived until five years of age. She then removed with her parents to Logansport, where her father has since resided, as pastor of the German Intheran church. Both her parents were born in Ger- many. They were married in this country. The father was educated at Fort Wayne Sem- inary. The history of the Lutheran church in this place is as follows: There were two men, named Clamor Fuelling and Dietrich Gerke, who, in 1841, sold five aeres cach to the congregation for church purposes, about three-eighths of a mile southeast of the pres- ent site of the beantiful Lutheran church, consideration 830. On this site they erected a log church in which there was a parochial school. The first missionary in this locality was Frederick Wyneken, who preached in barns. The next was Rev. Knape, who re- sided in Preble Township. In the meantime there was a school taught by Messrs. Sehlat- ermund, G. Il. Jaebker and Rennicke. Mr. Jaebker afterward became the pastor of the Preble Township Lutheran church. The log church was built in 1841. The church was regularly organized in 1843, and had a deacon by the name of Frederick Christianer, and also owned property. F. Hussman succeeded Rev. Knape, who, in turn, was sueceeded by Andrew Fritze, who had charge of this con- gregation twenty-eight years, and lived in the present parsonage twenty-three years. He died here March 28, 1877. He was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, October 11, 1816. He came to America a single man, and was educated at Fort Wayne, at the Lutheran Seminary. The second church (frame build- ing) was built in 1851, and is now used for school purposes. It was built during the ministry of Rev. Fritze, who was sneceeded by Theodore Halin, who came here in 1877 and remained until the summer of 1851. During his ministry, in 1879, the present
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briek church was erected at a cost of over 86,000. It is 42 × 72 feet in size, and the ground consists of the ten aeres previously mentioned. The church has an organ, a bell and a beautiful cemetery. The present pas- tor, Rev. Frederick Berg, came to this field in November, 1881.
EORGE FRANK, a farmer of Washing- ton Township, was born in Northumber- land County, Pennsylvania, November 7, 1815, son of Peter and Magdalena Frank, natives also of Pennsylvania, and of German ancestry. When seventeen years of age he emigrated with his parents to Darke County, Ohio, and there they resided five years. Ile received a rudimentary education in the dis- triet schools, and being a great reader, las become a well-informed man on the general topics of the day. In 1838 he came to Adams County, and entered eighty aeres of land in Blne Creek Township, where he settled in a log cabin and lived nineteen years. Ile has experienced all the hardships of pioneer life. Ilis family subsisted on wild game for their meat many years. He subsequently removed to Washington Township. He was married September 29, 1839, in Adams County, to Nancy Saekett, born August 14, 1823, in Greene County, Ohio, daughter of Samnel and Isabel Sackett, natives of Ohio. Her parents eame to Adams County in the fall of 1837, settling in Blue Creek Township, and were among the early pioneers. Mr. and Mrs. Frank have had seven children, three of whom survive-Peter, Samuel, and Elezan, wife of Joel Roe, St. Mary's Township. Mr. Frank in an early day served as elerk of Blue Creek Township, also as justice of the peace for several years. In 1848 he was elected county assessor. At that time there were
no township assessors. In 1858 he was elected sheriff, served one term and was re- elected. lle was subsequently appointed to fill a vacaney in the board of county com- missioners, and after his appointment expired he was elected to that office. lle was serving the county when the court-house was built, and was one of its strongest advocates. It was built largely through his influence. He owns a good farm of eighty aeres on section 14, in good cultivation. When he first eame to this county he had only six dollars in cash and the clothes he wore on his baek. The remainder of his possessions was done np in a "eotton trunk." Ile is a member of the Masonie fraternity at Decatur, and in polities is a Democrat.
¿BRAHAM McWILLIAM BOLLMAN, recorder of Adams County, Indiana, was born near Dalton, Wayne County, Ohio, March 6, 1845. llis father, Abraham Boll- man, was a native of Bedford County, Penn- sylvania, of German parentage, and when a young man left his native State and located in Wayne County, Ohio, where in 1829 he married Christiann Cook, a native of Ohio. In 1852 he came to Adams County, Indiana, and was engaged in the dry goods business at Deeatur until his death, which occurred in Angust, 1873, aged nearly seventy-three years. lle was in polities a Democrat, and during Buchanan's administration served as postmaster at Deeatnr. He also held the offices of trustee and treasurer of Deeatur several terms. Ilis widow survived him until June 7, 1885, being at her death nearly seventy-five years old. They were members of the Presbyterian church for a number of years. They had a family of thirteen ehil- dren, all of whom save one lived till maturity,
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and eight are still living, four in Adams County, two in Miami County, one in Jay County, Indiana, and one in Reno County, Kansas. A. MeW. Bolhnan accompanied his parents to Adams County in 1852, and was here reared, receiving his education in the schools of Decatur. When seventeen years old he began teaching, and taught three win- ter terms in Adams, and seven in Miami County, Indiana. In April, 1873, he was deputized county recorder by Captain J. J. Chubb, and again by his successor, John Schurger, holding the position six years. In July, 1879, he was appointed deputy cireuit clerk by B. II. Dent, and in 1881 by Captain Norval Blackburn, serving over four years. In October, 1882, he was elected county re- corder, assuming the duties of his office in 1883, and was re-elected to the same office in November, 1886. In 1873 he made the first abstract of title of Adams County, and in 1876-'77 made the first complete abstract of records and titles of the county, and at pres- ent is at work on a condensed index of all the titles in the county. Mr. Bollman was married October 22, 1874, at Bunker Hill, Indiana, to Elsie E. Keegan, a native of Natick, Massachusetts, daughter of Peter and Bridget (Killiam) Keegan, natives of Ireland. They have four children -Jennie, Arthur MeW., Frances L. and Maggie. Mrs. Boll- man is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
ANDREW J. PYLE, one of the old pio- neers of Adams County, Indiana, resid- ing on section 34, Wabash Township, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 8, 1829, a son of Robert and Mary Ann (Les- lie) Pyle. ITis father was a native of New Jer- sey and was of Engish descent, his ancestors
coming to America with William Penn. The mother was also born in the State of Pennsyl- vania, living there till after her marriage. They removed to Wayne County, Ohio, abont 1531, and in 1837 came to Jay County, Indiana, and settled in Wabash Township, where the father entered land, which he sold in 1850. He then purchased 300 acres of land in Wabash Township, Adams County, on which he resided until 1860. In that year he sold his Adams County property and removed to Rock Creek Township, Wells County, Indi- ana, where both parents died, the father in 1865, aged sixty-five years, and the mother in 1871, aged sixty-eight years. They had a family of six children, four sons and two daughters. They were members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church. The father was a carpenter and mill-wright by trade, at which he worked in connection with his farming pursuits. Politically he was first a Democrat, afterward an old-line Whig, and subsequent- ly affiliated with the Republican party. Andrew Jackson Pyle, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the home farm, receiving bnt limited educational advantages. Ile learned the carpenter's trade from his father, which he followed till thirty years of age, and superintended the erection of Liber College, in Jay County, Indiana. After giving up his trade he engaged in farming and dealing in stock, which he still follows. For a time he followed mercantile pursuits at Jay City. August 19, 1855, he was married to Mary A. Sivbry, a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, born February 25, 1837, a daughter of William and Mary A. (Kraner) Sivbry, natives of Maryland, her mother born in 1803. Her parents were married in Fairfield County, Ohio, remaining there till 1839, when they came to Indiana and settled in Bear Creek Township, Jay County, residing there till their death, the father dying April 29
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1866, aged sixty-six years, and the mother Jannary 26, 1873. They had a family of six children, four sons and two daughters. Mr. Sivbry was a minister in the United Brethren church, and traveled as a cireuit preacher for several years. He was of Irish descent. Mr. and Mrs. Pyle are the parents of tive children -- Martha A., born June 8, 1856, died Deeem- ber 14, 1859; William F., born November 22, 1858; Harvey E., born September 3, 1861; Jenette, born March 29, 1867; and Clara S., born Angust 20, 1877. Mr. Pyle has pros- pered in his agricultural pursuits, and has now a farm of 185 aeres, 120 being under excellent enltivation, with a good comfortable residenee and farm buildings for his stock. In politics he is a Republican with Prohibition senti- inents. Mr. Pyle remembers of riding on the first railway cars, from Philadelphia to Bloomington, Pennsylvania, in 1833, the ears being drawn by horses. He is said to have killed the largest deer killed in Jay County, Indiana, using an old flint-lock musket which had been carried by his unele in the Revolutionary war. Ilis grandfather was a soldier in the same war. - Both Mr. and Mrs. Pyle are members of the United Brethren church.
AMUEL L. RUGG was an carly settler of Adams County. He was born in Oneida County, New York, August 28, 1805, where he passed his early life. lle prepared himself for college at Waterville, in his native county, but his father dying about this time he was obliged to modify his plans. It became necessary for him to make his own living, and, being a natural meehanie, he ob- tained employment in a blacksmith shop, in his native village. lIere he worked and studied, and developed into a man of rare
business capacity, which was recognized by his employers. In 1825 the Erie Canal was opened, and there was an immense immigra- tion westward. During this year he went to Cincinnati, where he was employed in a large eotton-thread factory. He was a thorough machinist, a good salesman and a skillful ae- conntant. In 1832 he left the factory and eame to Indiana, where he entered a traet of land in Allen County, near the okl fort, and commeneed at onee to improve his land. In 1836 he petitioned to the General Assembly for a new county. Adams County was then set off and organized. Decatur being chosen as the county seat. He was elected the first county elerk and reeorder, and held the office eighteen years. The office of recorder was soon after separated from that of county elerk. Mr. Rugg was popular in the county, being known as a man of honesty, generosity and public spirit. In 1854 he was nominated by the Democratic party for State Senator, and was elected. Ile filled the position with great satisfaction to his constituents. In 1858 he was nominated for the office of superintend- ent of public instruction, and was elected by a large majority. Ile entered upon the duties of his office in February, 1859, on the retirement of Dr. Larrabee. Mr. Rugg was the third superintendent of the State. At this time the school monies were dis- tribnted among the different counties, and the ottieers had made proper returns to the State. Every county had been provided for but his own. Mr. Rugg recovered for the use of the publie sehools 8750,000, which placed them on a good footing. In 1860 he was defeated by Mr. Miles Fletcher, who died before the expiration of his term of office. Another eleetion was ordered, and Mr. Rugg was elected, serving until 1864. Ile died at Nashville Mareh 28, 1871, and his remains were brought baek to his old home at De-
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eatur for interment. As a publie man Mr. Rugg was the promoter of the Fort Wayne & Richmond Railroad, and the organizer of the Fort Wayne & Decatur Plank-road Com- pany. Ile exhausted all of his own resources in the construction of the two roads, and he was left in very poor circumstances. He was a kind husband and father, a devoted friend, and left behind him a large eirele of friends to mourn his loss. The first land he entered in Indiana was one-half mile north of De- eatur, now known as the Tonallie farm. Mr. Rngg lived on this farm when Adams County was set off from Allen County. He was first married in Cincinnati, living with his wife only a few years, when she died, leaving a young child that soon followed its mother. It was after this that Mr. Rugg resolved to come to the wilds of Indiana. He went to Piqua, Ohio, by eanal, and bought an ox team, loading his effects on a stone-boat made of planks. It was very innddy and the boat would slide over the mud; in this way he came to the farm. He was again married to Miss Susan Ball, who died leaving fonr ehil- dren-J. Kirkland, Dewitt Clinton, Julius and Cornelia. All are living. Ilis third wife, whom he married June 8, 1847, was Catherine Biggs, who was born in Pennsyl- vania January 22, 1822, and died Angust 7, 1853, leaving three children-Jay; Jessie, born April 3, 1851, and died October 12, 1853, and Indiana, who was born August 2, 1853, and died in eleven days. The father was formerly a Methodist, but in later life was a Presbyterian. The mother was also a Methodist. Mr. Rugg owned and platted Decatur, then afterward sold the north part to Mr. Reynolds. He donated a lot to the Methodist, Presbyterian, Catholic, Baptist and German Reformed churches, and also donated the public square on which the court- house was built. lle set apart five acres for
a park, and gave the fair grounds. At one time he engaged in the agrienltural imple- ment business, but it failed. He was more successful in cotton growing.
AMUEL WELDY, farmer, section 22, Kirkland Township, was born Septem- ber 29, 1818, in Fairfield County, Ohio, the eldest child of Peter and Susannah Weldy. Ile grew to manhood on his father's farm in his native county, receiving such education as the distriet schools of that early day afforded. Ile was first married October 20, 1542, to Martha Kennedy, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, April 3, 1823, but reared till her marriage in Perry County, a daughter of William and Sarah (Henry) Kennedy, who were of Irish and German deseent respective- ly. ller parents died in Perry County. They were members of the Presbyterian church. They had a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters. To Mr. and Mrs. Weldy were born seven children-Ka- ehel E. (deceased), l'eter II., William T. (deceased), Joseph P., Sarah C., Myron (deceased), Peter II. (deceased). After his marriage Mr. Weldy rented his father's farm, which he farmed for ten years. Ile came to Adams County, Indiana, in October, 1857, and settled on section 1, Kirkland Township, which he subsequently sold, and removed to section 12. In the fall of 1867 he settled on his present farm, which contains eighty aeres of choice land. When he settled on this farm about sixteen aeres had been eleared and a small log cabin built, He has his entire farin now under fine cultivation, with a good residence and comfortable farm build- ings. Ile was a Union man during the war of the Rebellion, and was enrolling officer of his township. He was bereaved by the death
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of his wife July 25, 1883, and July 5, 1884, he was again married, to Mrs. Susannah Milligen. Mr. Weldy takes an active inter- est in any enterprises which he deems for the advancement of his township or county, and has filled acceptably several local offices. In polities he is a staunch Republican.
ICHAEL N. KRANER, deceased, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, November 26, 1809, a son of John M. and Susannah (Wise) Kraner, natives of Maryland, the father born near Baltimore. His parents subsequently settled in Fairfield County, Ohio, where they made their home till death. The grandfather of our subject, Michael Kraner, was a native of Germany, where he lived for several years after his mar- riage. His wife died in that country, after which he immigrated with his four children to America. He died in Fairfield County, Ohio. By trade he was a carpenter. Michael N., our subject, was about seven years old when he was brought by his parents to Fair- field County, and there he was reared to manhood on the home farm. Ile was mar- ried June 11, 1829, to Catherine Minehart, who was born in Mifflin County, Pennsyl- vania, September 22, 1809, a daughter of George and Catherine (Roads) Minehart, the father born in York County, Pennsylvania, December 11, 1777, and the mother being a native of the same State and of German deseent. Iler parents had a family of six children, one son and five daughters. Her father was bnt a chikl when he was taken by his parents to Mittlin County, Pennsylvania, where he was reared. Ilis parents were resi- dents of Fairfield County, Ohio, at the time of their death. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kraner-Saluda J.,
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