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 33
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 33
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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
ON. JAMES ROLLIN BOBO, an act- ive and enterprising citizen of Decatur, who is prominently identified with the bar of Adams County, was born in the city of Athens, Athens County, Ohio, Jime 4, 1839. ITis parents, Townshend Garnier Bobo and Hanna Almira (Gorslene) Bobo, having been born in the same State. In 1851 the family moved to Crown Point, Lake County, Indiana, where the father died in 1853, leav- his widow and five children, Anna Maria, James Rollin, Caroline A., Helen M. and Almira T., all of whom are now married and living in Indiana. In 1854 the family re- moved from Lake County to Adams County, where they, except Caroline and Maria, have since resided. James R. Bobo received a fair common-school education in his youth,
attending the school at Crown Point for three school years between 1851 and 1854, when he accompanied his family to Adams County. From 1854 util 1857 he worked as a farm laborer during the summer months and in the winter attended the district schools, and in the winter of 1857 he taught in the dis- triet where he had formerly attended as a pupil. In 1558 he commeneed the study of law with Judge David Studabaker, of Deca- tur, who was an able, kind and appreciative preceptor, and being a zealous student he made rapid progress in his studies. During the years 1858-'59 and '60 he studied law and attended school at Decatur, and part of this time taught in the publie schools of this place, at the same time pursuing his law studies, and August 8, 1860, he was admitted in the Adams Cirenit Court to practice law. September 22, 1861, he was united in mar- riage to Miss Almira Cayton, daughter of William and Maria Cayton. They are the parents of eleven children-Mrs. Minnie E. Eson, living in Kingman, Kansas; Howard C. Bobo, deceased; Rollin T., Jessie P., Ger- trude R. F., Helen E., Benjamin E., Bere- nice E., Eugene I., Erin and James W. In September, 1862, the board of commissioners of Adams County appointed Judge Bobo superintendent of the publie schools, which position he filled until September, 1866. At the October election of 1566 he was elected to represent Adams County in the Indiana State Legislature, and in 1868 he was elected to represent Adams and Wells counties in the State Legislature, and in 1870 he was elected to the State Senate from the district composed of Adams, Wells and Allen coun- ties. At the expiration of his Senatorial term he returned to his home in Deeatur, and has since devoted his entire attention to the practice of law, establishing a large and lucrative practice. In 1876 he was elected
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Judge of the Twenty-sixth Judicial Circuit, and was re-elected to the same office in 1882. In every enterprise of progress and improve- ment in his locality Judge Bobo has given his aid and encouragement, and as a citizen he is highly respected by all who know him. We trust there are yet before him many years of labor and usefulness.
ILLIAM DANIEL DRUMMOND, superintendent of the lumber yard of Goodsell & Christen, at Deeatur, is a native of Adams County, Indiana, born in Root Township, November 23, 1843. His parents, Robert and Mary (Rains) Drum- mond, were natives of Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, and Ohio, respectively, the mother being of German and Scotch ancestry. The father was reared in Ohio and came to Adams County, Indiana, in 1836, locating on a farm in Root Township, where he lived until his death in 1874, at the age of sixty-four years. Ile was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Ilis widow still survives, and is living on their old homestead in Root Township, at the age of sixty-seven years. W. D. Drum- mond, the subject of this sketch, was reared to the avocation of a farmer on his father's farm in Root Township, receiving in his youth a common-sehool education. When fourteen years old, though yet making his home with his parents, he began working for himself, being employed by the neighboring farmers. When eighteen years old, in November, 1862, he enlisted as a private in Company I, Eighty-ninth Indiana Infantry, to serve three years or during the war. Ile participated in many engagements, including the battles of Munfordville, Kentucky, Nashville, Ten- nessee, and Fort De Russy, Yellow Bayou, Pleasant Hill and Markville Prairie, Louisi-
ana, and Tupelo, Mississippi. He served until July, 1865, when he was discharged at Fort Blakely, near Mobile, Alabama, at the close of the war. He then returned to Adams County, and November 1, 1866, he was mar- ried to Miss Martha Bevard, who was for- merly of Grant County, Indiana. They are the parents of two children-Ulysses S. and Robert Clinton. In 1871 Mr. Drummond removed to Decatur, and was varionsly em- ployed until 1881, when he accepted the position of superintendent of the lumber yard of Goodsell & Christen, which he has since filled to the entire satisfastion of his employers. In politics Mr. Drummond affil- iates with the Democratic party.
EORGE CLINE, farmer, section 36, Root Township, is the owner of 135 acres of land. ITe came to Adams Connty in the fall of 1840, with his old neighbors, the Kings. Ile engaged in farm work, taking contracts, and one summer he worked in Fort Wayne in a boat yard to run on the canal. While in Ohio he worked at the earpenter's trade, and followed the same trade to some extent in this county. The second year he was here he bought forty acres of land, having earned enough to make the first payment. After working along awhile longer he was able to buy twenty-five acres more. Ile sold this farm and bought eighty-three acres where he now lives, and soon afterward bought twenty acres more. He has continued to add to this land until he now has 137 acres. He came here with a three-year old colt, a rifle and an ax. Money was very scaree. Ile sold his eolt for $60, bought him some clothes, and the following fall made a visit to his parents in Ohio. The latter, Jonas and Elizabeth Cline, were na-
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tives of Pennsylvania, and were probably born in Somerset County. The mother died when George was between two and three years old. She died in Tusearawas County, Ohio, in the winter of 1820. The father died before the war, probably in 1859 or 1860, and was eighty-two years of age. He died in St. Joseph County, Indiana. George was married in June, 1844, to Miss Marga- ret Crosier, who was born in Northern Ohio, and who was a little younger than her hus- band. She died in July, 1845, leaving no children. She was a daughter of Samuel Crosier. August 9, 1846, Mr. Cline was married to Elizabeth McConnehey, who was born in Tusearawas County, Ohio, September 7, 1825, and died May 7, 1871. She is buried at Alpha cemetery. Her parents were William and Catherine (Clever) MeCon- nehey, natives of Pennsylvania, the father of Irish ancestry and the mother of German origin. The father died in 1851, and the mother in 1876. Both died in this county and are buried in Alpha cemetery. Mrs. Cline left four children, three of whom are living-Sarah C., born July 17, 1850, wife of A. R. Wolf; Mary A., born November 30, 1852, wife of William Spuler; Barbara A., born November 23, 1854, died February 5, 1887, and is buried in Alpha cemetery; George B., born Angust 13, 1858, died Jnne 5, 1877. August 12, 1877, Mr. Cline was married to Rebecca Van Buskirk, widow of James Van Buskirk, who came to this comity from Ohio. She was first married to Green- bury Baxter, who died leaving seven chil- dren, only four of whom are living. By her second marriage there were two children; one living. Mr. and Mrs. Cline are members of the United Brethren church, and Mr. Cline is a Republican. Ilis grandfather Cline was American born. His grandmother Cline died at the age of over one hundred years. Mrs.
Cline was born in Carroll County, Ohio, March 22, 1825. She came to this county with her parents when she was about teu years of age. They settled near Monmonth, Root Township, being among the early set- tlers of Adams County. Her parents were William and Mary (Baxter) Pillers. Her father died in Root Township in 1863, and the mother died before the war. Both are buried in Alpha cemetery.
ENRY DERKES, one of the old and honored pioneers of Adams County, is a native of Ilanover, Prussia, born 30th of October, 1808. 1Ie grew to manhood in his native country, being reared to the avoca- tion of a farmer, which he has followed the greater part of his life. At the age of twenty years he with Antoin Kohan sailed for Ameri- ca, landing in New York City May 4, 1835. Ile remained in New York two years, work- ing in a sugar refinery, and subsequently went to Boston, Massachusetts, where he found employment until February, 1837. He was married in February, 1837, to Miss Wilhelmina Kohne, who was born in Ilan- over, Prussia, and shortly after his marriage he started with his wife for Chicago, Illinois, but the steamer in which they took passage becoming impeded by ice after leaving Buffa- lo, they were obliged to return to the latter place. They then traveled from Buffalo to Toledo, Ohio, by team, thence by boat np the Maumee River to Fort Wayne, where he heard of the vacant lands in Adams County, Indiana, whence he proceeded after a few weeks rest. Ilere he purchased a traet of land near the present site of Deeatur, which lie improved and cultivated, living on this farın till 1851. He then became a resident of Decatur and began speculating in lands
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and lots, and during his residence at this place built several business houses and resi- dences, many of which he still owns, renting them out to tenants. Mr. Derkes has gained an enviable reputation, by strict integrity and honorable dealings, being trusted by all who know him, and in any public enterprise he takes an active interest in helping the good citizens of his eounty. Mrs. Derkes died in Decatur, Angust 2, 1882, at the age of seventy-three years. She was a life-long Catholic, and at the time of her death was a member of St. Mary's Church at Deeatur. Mr. Derkes was reared in the Lutheran faith, but in 1844, through the influence of Mr. Kohan, who was a life-long friend, united with the Roman Catholic church at Decatur, of which he is still a worthy member.
HARLES DORWIN PORTER, drng- gist, Geneva, was born in Decatur, this county, April 3, 1850, the eldest son of Dr. John Pomeroy Porter. He remained at home and attended the common school until sixteen years of age, then engaged in the drug trade at Fort Wayne, remaining in the business a few months, and removed to De- eatur, where he remained until 1872. He then came to Geneva and established the first drug store in the place. Ile started with limited means, but by good management and economy he is able to carry a stock of $6,000. Mr. Porter is a staunch Republican, and has been a member of the county central commit- tee six years; has also served as treasurer of Geneva three years; is a member of the Ma- sonic order, and of the Sons of Veterans, being a member of McPherson Camp, No. 11, Geneva, the G. A. R. post being named for his father, who was killed in the war. Mr. Porter was married April 21, 1886, to
Geneva Stratton, a daughter of Mark and Mary Stratton, of Wabash, Indiana. She was born on a farm near North Manchester, in Angust, 1863; is a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal church.
ILI ZIMMERMAN, one of the prosper- ous and enterprising agriculturists of Washington Township, is a native of Adams County, Indiana, born October 23, 1842, a son of Eli and Polly Zimmerman, the father born near Harper's Ferry, Mary- land, and the mother a native of Fayette County, Ohio. They were the parents of eight children, and of this number five are living-Nancy, Jane, Polly, Eli and Eliza- beth. The father was one of the early pio- neers of Washington Township, settling on section 2, where he entered a seetion of land on which he first erected a log cabin, and the first season raised four acres of corn. Year by year he, by persevering industry, cleared his land until 400 acres had been cleared and improved. Ile then removed to Deeatnr, settling on the St. Mary's River when there were but three log houses in Decatur, and here he made his home until his death, which occurred October 29, 1878, his wife dying Mareh 24, 1871. In his death Adams County lost one of her oldest pioneers and a most respected citizen. Ile had, like all pioneers, to undergo many hardships and privations, but he lived to enjoy the fruits of his years of toil, and by his honorable dealings and strict integrity he gained the confidence of the entire community. Ile was a member of the Masonie fraternity. In his religions faith he was a Presbyterian. Eli Zimmer- man, whose name heads this sketeh, was reared amid pioneer scenes on his father's farm in Washington Township. His educa-
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tional advantages were very limited, his youth being spent in working on the farm. As a farmer he has met with excellent success, having accumulated his present fine property in Washington Township, which consists of about 935 acres of choice land. January 7, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Me- linda Drayer, a native of Pennsylvania. Of the three children born to Mr. and Mrs. Zim- merman two are living-Isaac W. and George W. In his political affiliations Mr. Zimmer- man is a Democrat.
YLVANUS WOOD, section 22, Blue Creek Township, is a native of Harri- son County, Ohio, born August 22, 1825, a son of Benjamin and Esther Wood. Ile was reared to manhood in his native county, receiving but limited educational ad- vantages, as at that time there were no free schools, and his father being a poor man could not afford him the advantages he de- sired. After reaching manhood he deter- mined to try his fortunes in a new country, and accordingly came to Adams County, In- diana, and settled on a tract of heavily-tim- hered land. This he has by hard work and perseverance improved, and now has one of the best farms in the township, his home- stead containing 119 aeres of land, and his residence and farm buildings being comino- dions and convenient. IIe is a representa- tive man of the township, and has served efficiently in several official positions of trust and responsibility. In politics he is a Re- publiean. Ile was married November 26, 1846, to Sarah Warford, and to them were born five children; but three are living- Adoniram J., Elizabeth J. and Mary E. His wife died, and in April, 1861, he married Eva A. Deaver, widow of George Deaver,
and daughter of William and Mary A. Bryan. They have had six children, five of whom are living-Adolphus M., Joseph M., George R., Charles M. and Harvey F. Mr. and Mrs. Wood are members of the Baptist church.
OIIN CLEM, farmer, section 4, Union Township, was born in Monroe Town- ship, Allen County, Indiana, July 13, 1849. Ile was reared on his father's farm, and has always been a farmer. ITis father, Noah Clem, was born in the Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, September 27, 1809, where he was reared and married. Soon after his marriage he removed to Champaign County, Ohio, where he rented a farm. Ile also worked at the shoemaker's trade. IIe eame to Allen County, this State, in 1840, with wife and five children, and settled on seetion 33, Monroe Township, where he is still living. IIe entered the land in the fall of 1839, put up a log cabin and returned for his family, who came the following spring. He has seen the country grow from a wilderness to a cul- tivated, flourishing county. There was a bounty on wolves in Allen County. Noah Clem eanght one in Adams County, but dare not kill it in that county. So he dragged it to his home in Allen County alive and killed him so that he could get his bounty. John's mother, Mary M. (Ridenour) Clem, was born in Shenandoah County, Virginia, August 18, 1813, where she was reared and married. She died September 27, 1885, leaving her husband and eleven children, two having died previously-Alfred died in Monroe Township, in childhood; Benjamin; Mary, wife of Elias Barkley; Margaret, wife of Eli Need; Nancy, who became the wife of Rodney Graham; Jacob, living in Oregon: Susanna, wife of Simon Baker; Noah who died at the age of
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six years; Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Morton; John, our subject: Isabella, keeping house for her father; Joseph and Joshua. John was married November 18, 1875, to Miss Minnie A. Taggart, who was born in Wauke- gan, Illinois, April 22, 1853, and when fifteen years of age went to Van Wert County, Ohio, with her parents, where she taught school several terins. Her father, William M. Taggart, was born in Newark, Licking Coun- ty, Ohio, December 29, 1819, where he was reared, and was married in Richland County, same State, to Mary A. Brown, November 1, 1842. Four years later they removed to Waukegan, Illinois, where they lived until 1868, thence to Van Wert County, Ohio, and is still living on the land he entered from the Government before removing to Illinois. The mother was born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, January 9, 1821, where she lived until eight or nine years old, when her own father died. She taught school in Rich- land County several years, and was then married. There were six children in the father's family -- Adaline B., wife of Jerry Swigert; Sarah E., a school teacher; Ellen II., widow of Charles Hoeken; George B .; Minnie A., wife of our subjeet, and William E., living in Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Clem have two children-Alice I., born April 4, 1877, and Inez G., born April 17, 1850. Mr. Clem was elected assessor of Monroe Township in the spring of 1875. Mr. Clem's paternal grand- father, David Clem, was born in Powell's Fort, Shenandoah County, Virginia, a son of Zetric Clem, who came from Germany when a boy, and made his home in Virginia. ITis maternal grandfather was Adam Ridenonr, also a native of Virginia, a son of Adam Ridenonr. Mrs. Clem's paternal grandparents were Jonathan and Elizabeth (Moody) Taggart. The former was a native of Winchester, Virginia, a son of Franeis Taggart, who came
to America from the north of Ireland prior to the Revolution. The latter was a native of Bowling Green, Licking County, Ohio, a daughter of William and Mary (Stadden) Moody, natives of Pennsylvania. Her ma- ternal grandparents were Thompson and Sarah (Alspaugh) Brown, the former of Eng- lish descent, and the latter a native of Cum- berland County, Pennsylvania, a daughter of George and Marie (Keller) AAlspaugh, natives of Germany, the father of Baden and the mother of Westphalia, coming to America in their youth. George Alspaugh served as a soldier through the war of the Revolution.
EWIS MATTAX, deceased, who was one of the early pioneers of Adams County, was born in Greene County, Pennsylvania, January 22, 1811, a son of John Mattax, Sr., who was a native of New Jersey. The parents were married in New Jersey, and afterward removed to Pennsyl- vania, settling in Greene County, where they lived till their death. Lewis Mattax grew to manhood on a farm in his native county, re- ceiving as good an education as could be ob- tained in the schools of that early day. On attaining his majority he went to Knox County, Ohio, and opened a cooper shop at Martinsburgh, where he followed that trade till he came to Adams County, Indiana, in the fall of 1840. He entered 200 acres of land in Monroe Township, settling on seetion 26. He came to the county by team, and lived in a tent made of his wagon cover while his log cabin was being built. He lived with his family several years in this pioneer cabin, when he built a more commodious frame house. In the first years of their residence in the county the family passed through many of the hardships and privations which
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usually fall to the lot of a pioneer. Game of various kinds was in abundance, and was about the only meat that could be obtained by the first settlers. Mr. Mattax took an active interest in the public affairs of his township, and for several years served etti- ciently as justice of the peace. Ile was also postinaster for several years, the postoffice being kept at his house. In politics he affiliated with the Demoeratie party. Ile was also agent for the swamp lands of his county, and took charge of the ditehing for several years. He was a man of mueh nat- ural ability, and could turn his hand to almost anything. Mr. Mattax was married August 28, 1835, to Anna Stephenson, who was born in Knox County, Ohio, July 24, 1815, and to them were born five children- Laban, William Lee, Davidson, Mary E. and Ruth, the latter now deceased. Both Mr. and Mrs. Mattax were members of the Pres- byterian church, of which he was an elder, and was also superintendent of the Sabbath- school.
ETER B. MANLEY, an attorney at law at Geneva, is a native of Jay County, Indi- ana, born August 4, 1854, a son of Jere- miah L. and Mary A. (Beckler) Manley. He received his education in the common schools, and also attended Liber College, near Port- land, in his native county. He studied law with his father and was admitted to the bar, at Decatur, Indiana, in 1879, Judge Bobo presiding. After this event he formed a partnership with his father, under the firm name of Manley & Son. This partnership continued until the death of the father, and our subject took charge of the business and has since conducted it alone. Mr. Man- ley is a Republican in politics, has held the
office of village elerk, and was a candidate for proseenting attorney for the Twenty-sixth Judicial Distriet, and though the distriet was largely Democratic, and he made no effort whatever to seeure his own election, he re- duced the majority of his opponent several hundred. He was married June 17, 1880, to Miss Dora MeKaig, who was born in March, 1858, in Mercer County, Ohio, and died in 1884. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
AMUEL FETTERS, farmer, Jefferson Township, was born in Stark County, Ohio, May 24, 1847, a son of John W. and Elizabeth (Gross) Fetters. In his third year he was brought by his parents to Adams County, Indiana, where he was reared to manhood on the home farm in Jefferson Town- ship. March 23, 1865, he enlisted in Com- pany E, One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Indiana Infantry, and was discharged at Dover, Dela- ware, Angust 24, 1865, when he returned to his home in Adams County. He was united in marriage July 30, 1871, to Miss Lavina Woodward, who was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, March 3, 1855, a daughter of William and Lucinda (Rash) Woodward, who were also natives of the same State. They came to Adams County, Indiana, in 1863, where the father still lives. The mother died in Jefferson Township in February, 1877. They had a family of eleven children, six sons and five daughters. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Fetters-Frank R., Charles M., James F., Harry HI. and Emma C. Mr. Fetters has always followed agricultural pursuits, and is a thoroughi, practical farmer. He settled on his present farm in the fall of 1874, which contains eighty acres of choice land under a
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fine state of cultivation. In politics Mr. Fetters is a Democrat. He has served eight years as justice of the peace and is now serv- ing his first term as township trustee, having been elected to that office in the spring of 1886. Ile is a comrade of John P. Porter Post, No, 83, G. A. R. John W. Fetter, the father of our subject, was a native of Stark County, Ohio, born March 14, 1818, a son of Philip Fetters, who was born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, of German descent, and died in Ohio. Jolin W. Fetters grew to manhood in Stark County, and was there married, in 1840, to Elizabeth Gross, a na- tive of New York City, her parents being natives of Germany. To this union were born seven children, four sons and three daughters. The parents were members of the Lutheran church. The father exchanged eighty acres of land in Stark County for three eiglity-acre tracts in Adams County, Indiana, loeating here in the fall of 1849, and made his home on seetion 21, Jefferson Township, till his death. He was very sne- eessful in his farming operations, and added to his land till he had almost 400 aeres. In polities he was a stauneh Democrat. IIe took an active interest in publie affairs, and held the office of justice of the peace for a period of twenty-four years, and also served as town- ship clerk during the old township organiza- tion, and was a prominent eitizen.
EREMIAII L. MANLEY, deceased, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, No- vember 15, 1826, son of Robert and Margaret (Lasure) Manley, early settlers of that county, where they lived until their de- eease. Ile remained at home during his youth, attending the common school, and also attended school at Zanesville, Ohio, and
studied law there. Ile married Mary A. Beekler, September 2, 1849, a native of Athens County, Ohio, after which he moved to Jay County, Indiana, where he practiced law, coming to this county in 1874, and opened an office at Geneva, where he prac- ticed until his death, December 6, 1SS0. In politics he was a Republican, and held the office of justice of the peace, besides other local offices. He was a member of the village school board, and was formerly a member of the United Brethren ehnreh, but afterward nnited with the Methodist Episcopal chureli. Mr. and Mrs. Manley were the parents of eight children-Delilah B., Robert J. G., Peter B., John C. F., Benjamin F., Maude M., Thomas B. and Jennie F. Mrs. Manley married a second time, and resides in Wood County, Ohio. Mr. Manley was a man of strong temperance principles, was opposed to secret societies, was an active member of the church, and was generally snecessful in his praetiee-a good reasoner and a foreible speaker.
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