USA > Michigan > Hillsdale County > History of Hillsdale county. Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 70
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In the settlement of the town the north part was first settled, because it was nearer the old Chicago road, and the Territorial road ran through it. It was also good timber land, and attractive to settlers for that reason. The settlement rapidly extended south and west, however, and clearings were begun in almost every section within five years of the arrival of the first settler. The land entered for speculative purposes by non-resident capitalists was mostly situated in the southwest part, and was not generally transferred into the hands of actual settlers until from ten to fifteen years afterwards.
The early pioneers had many hardships and dangers to encounter, wolves and bears being quite numerous and troublesome, and for a few years provisions and clothing were both scarce and costly. Flour and meal had often to be brought from a distance, and other supplies too, while meat had to be furnished by hunting or trade with the In- dians. But this state of affairs did not long exist, for as fast as the land was cleared crops were planted, and the area of tillable lands constantly increasing furnished an abundance of the fruits of the earth. Orchards were started, often from seeds brought with them by the emi- grants, but it was necessarily several years before they came into bearing, and meantime fruit, especially apples, was scarce. Now all is changed, and fruitful fields and orchards occupy the site of the ancient forest, testifying to the bene- ficence of the Creator and the sturdy toil and ceaseless care of the tillers of the soil. What a grand testimonial to the physical and mental domination of the human race over all other animate or inanimate nature !
The project of building a railroad by aid from the State was being urged at the time of the settlement, and the work was undertaken in the fall of 1838 and continued until it was completed to Hillsdale in 1843. This enter- prise furnished considerable employment to the settlers
along the line, who engaged in cutting and hauling lumber and ties, building trestles and bridges, and took contracts for grading portions of the road-bed. A station was estab- lished at Osseo, which village had been laid out in 1840, and trains began running through the town in October, 1843. The highest point reached by the Michigan Southern Railroad is in this town.
This town was set off from Adams by a special act of the Legislature of 1837. It was the practice among the early settlers to allow the first settler to give the town in which he lived a name. In this town that honor was, how- ever, conferred upon William Duryea, and he chose to name it Florida, after the town of Florida, in Montgomery Co., N. Y., where his former home was. It continued to bear that name until the year 1850, when, at the instigation of Warren Thompson, it was changed to Jefferson, in honor of the illustrious framer of the immortal Declaration of Inde- pendence. The desire to change the name is said to have grown out of the use of a teasing expression by the citizens of Hillsdale and Jonesville, who called the citizens of this town " Florida Indians," much to their dissatisfaction.
The first town-meeting was held at the log house of Wil- liam Duryea, on the 3d day of April, 1837. The following is a copy of the record of that meeting :
"Florida, April 3, 1837 .- At the first township-meeting of the electors of the town of Florida, Hillsdale County, State of Michigan, held at the house of William Duryea, in said town, the house was called to order by H. Hadley, Esq., Chauncey Leonard chosen Moderator, and Henry P. Adams, Clerk for the day. William Duryea, Perez Dim- mick, and Rowland Bird constitute the Board of inspectors of Election, and chose by Ballot the following Persons to fill the Several town offices as follows : Supervisor, Henry P. Adams; Town Clerk, Chauncey Leonard ; Assessors, James Bullard, William Hecox, Alonzo McNeal; Collector, John M. Duryea; Directors of Poor, Horatio Hadley, Michael B. Howell; Commissioners of Highways, Orrin Anderson, Frederick Duryea, Robert McNeal, Jr. ; Con- stables, John M. Duryea, Orrin Anderson ; School Inspec- tors, Wate Chapin, William Scoon, John Perrin, Jr .; Jus- tices of the Peace, Horatio Hadley, Henry P. Adams, William Scoon, William Duryea.
" WILLIAM DURYEA, " PEREZ DIMMICK, " ROWLAND BIRD, "Inspectors of Election."
After the election, Henry P. Adams refused to serve either as supervisor or justice of the peace, and a special election was held at " the house of Adams and Ambler," on the 4th of May following, at which Jacob Ambler was chosen to both positions. The following list shows all the principal officers of the town from its organization to the present time :
CIVIL LIST OF THE TOWN OF JEFFERSON.
SUPERVISORS.
1837-39. Jacob Ambler. 1840. William Hecox. 1841. William Duryea. 1842. Chauncey Leonard.
1843. William Hecox.
1844. Chauncey Leonard. 1845-46. James H. Thorn.
1847-48. Warren Thompson.
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HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
1849-50. James H. Thorn. 1851-62. Charles D. Luce. 1853. William Hecox. 1854. James H. Thorn. 1855-56. Henry F. Sutton. 1857. Moses Rumsey. 1858-59. Henry F. Sutton. 1860. Charles D. Luce. 1861. Joseph Slaght.
1862. Silas A. Wade. 1863-64. James Leonardson. 1865. Moses Rumsey.
1866-68. James Leonardson. 1869-71. Charles D. Luce. 1872. Moses Rumsey. 1873. James Leonardson. 1874-77. Charles D. Luce. 1878. Andrew L. Davis.
TOWN CLERKS.
1837-39. Chauncey Leonard. 1840. Warren Thompson. 1841-42. Erasmus D. Ambler. 1843. Chauncey Leonard. 1844-45. Isaiah Green. 1846. Stephen L. Gilbert. 1847-50. Isaiah Green. 1851. William Messenger. 1852. James D. Salisbury. 1853. William D. Jones.
1857. William D. Jones (ap- pointed to fill vacancy). 1858-59. Nelson W. Thompson. 1860. Isaiah Green.
1861. Nelson W. Thompson.
1862-64. William W. Green.
1865. Jonathan Green.
1866. Isaac N. Green.
1847. Hiram Howe. Robert J. Nichols. James H. Thorn. 1848. Joseph Slaght.
1849. Israel S. Hodges.
1850. M. D. Black. 1851. George Duryea, f. t. Hiram Howe, v.
1852. Adin T. Ayres, f. t. Warren Thompson, v. 1853. Clarkson Soper. 1854. Elijah Perrin, f. t. George W. Densmore, 2 yrs. Isaiah Green, 1 year. 1855. Chauncey Leonard. 1856. James Leonardson. 1857. Daniel B. Woodward. 1858. Michael B. Howell. 1859. James Leonardson. 1860. Daniel B. Woodward.
1844. Stephen W. Perrin. William Duryea. John Paterson.
1845. Joseph Bailey. Almon Bird. Alanson Driscoll.
1862. Elihu Hubbard. 1863. Anthony Van Arsdale.
1864. William Trivett. 1865. David Green. 1866. James A. Cole. 1867. Charles D. Luce. 1868. Robert J. Nichols. 1869. James A. Cole. 1870. Charles Mulikin. 1871. William C. Howell.
1872-77. James A. Cole. 1878. Peter Schneider.
TOWN TREASURERS.
1839. William Hecox.
1840. William Duryea.
1841. Peter Failing.
1842-50. Robert McNeal. 1851. George Jenkins.
1852-54. Chauncey Leonard.
1855. Moses Rumsey.
1856. Jeremiah Odell.
1857. Alanson Driscoll.
1858-59. Charles D. Luce. 1860. Harrison Van Akin. 1861. Hiram Decker.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1837. William Duryea, 4 years. William Scoon, 3 years. Jacob Ambler, 2 years. Horatio Hadley, 1 year. 1838. Rowland Bird, f. t. James H. Thorn, v.
1839. James H. Thorn.
1840. Perez Dimmick, f. t. Chauncey Leonard, v.
1841. Warren Thompson.
1842. Chauncey Leonard, f. t. Aaron W. Nichols, v. 1843. James H. Thorn. 1844. Aaron W. Nichols. 1845. Warren Thompson. 1846. E. K. Parmelee. 1847. Stephen W. Perrin. 1848. Aaron W. Nichols. 1849. Warren Thompson. 1850. E. K. Parmelee. 1851. Stephen W. Perrin. 1852. Aaron W. Nichols. 1853. E. C. Adams.
1854. Charles D. Luce.
1855. James H. Thorn, f. t.
1855. Adin T. Ayres, 3 years. Warren Thompson, 2 years.
1856. Robert J. Nichols.
1857. Warren Thompson.
1858. Daniel B. Woodward.
1859. Silas A. Wade. 1860. Robert J. Nichols. 1861. Chauncey Leonard.
1862. Daniel B. Woodward.
1863. Serring N. Wade. 1864. Charles H. Smith. 1865. William W. Green. 1866. Hiram Decker. 1867. Daniel B. Woodward. 1868. Moses Rumsey. 1869. Jonas B. Cooper. 1870. Hiram Decker. 1871. Daniel B. Woodward.
1872. Serring N. Wade. 1873. Seth D. MeNeal. 1874. Henry Decker. 1875. Daniel B. Woodward. 1876. Moses Rumsey. 1877. William H. Kimball.
1878. William D. Jones.
COMMISSIONERS OF HIGHWAYS.
1837. Orrin Anderson.
Frederick Duryea. Robert McNeal, Jr. 1838. Owen B. Coffin. Erasmus D. Ambler. Rowland Bird.
1839. William D. Stout. Michael B. Howell. Israel S. Hodges. 1840. Alanson Driscoll. Finley McArthur. James H. Thorn.
COLLECTORS.
1837. Peter Failing. 1838. Orrin Anderson. 1839. Erasmus D. Ambler.
1847. Joseph Bailey.
1838. Horatio Hadley. Wait Chapin.
Michael B. Howell.
1849. George Jenkins. Owen B. Coffin.
1839. Horatio Hadley. Wait Chapin.
1850. Wait Chapin. James H. Thorn.
1840. Perez Dimmick. Wait Chapin.
1851. William P. Darrow. Ely Pettis.
1841. William Green. Wait Chapin.
1842. William Hecox. Wait Chapin. 1843. Chauncey Leonard. Warren Thompson.
1853. Warren Thompson. Chauncey Leonard. 1854. William Hecox. Aaron W. Nichols.
1844. Chauncey Leonard. Warren Thompson. 1845. Isaac Doty. Ely Farnsworth. John W. Merriott.
1855. Alanson Driscoll. Stephen W. Perrin. 1856. Alanson Driscoll. Ransom Cole.
1857. Silas A. Wade.
1858. Jehiel H. Lockwood. George L. Monroe.
ASSESSORS.
1837. James Bullard.
1843. Isaac Doty.
William Hecox. Alonzo McNeal.
Almon Bird.
1844. John Perrin.
1838. William Hecox. Almon Bird.
Peter Failing.
1845. Erastus K. Parmelee. George L. Monroe.
Perez Dimmick.
1839. William Hecox.
Perez Dimmick. Matthew Armstrong.
1840. Erastus C. Decker.
James HI. Thorn. William Duryea.
1850. James H. Lewis. Owen B. Coffin.
1852. Alanson Driscoll. William P. Darrow.
1853. Moses Rumsey. Robert J. Nichols."
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR.
1837. Horatio Hadley. Michael B. Howell. 1848. Chauncey Leonard.
1846. Marquis E. French. George L. Monroe.
1849. Owen B. Coffin. Robert J. Nichols.
1841. Chauncey Leonard. Aaron W. Nichols. William Hecox.
1842. Stephen W. Perrin. Hiram Howe.
1841. John Bullard. George Jenkins. Henry Trumans. 1842. George Jenkins. John Perrin. Erasmus D. Ambler. 1843. Julius Richards. William Green. Hiram Howe.
1846. Robert J. Nichols. Stephen W. Perrin. Hiram Howe.
1867. C. B. Wiley. 1868-70. George W. Cooper. 1871. Zelora Phillips.
1854. Ebenezer Hunt.
1855. William D. Jones.
1872. William W. Green, Jr. 1873-78. J. H. Mann.
1856. Charles Bullard. 1857. S. P. Van Akin.
1862. James H. Davis. 1863-64. David Wines.
1865-66. Charles D. Luce.
1867. Ebenezer Hunt. 1868-69. Morris Lamb. 1870. Francis M. Hunt. 1871-72. Isaac N. Green. 1873. Robert J. Nichols.
1874-75. Zela Hadley. 1876-77. Dexter Hadley. 1878. Aaron Bush.
1852. Warren Thompson. Chauncey Leonard.
1846. Owen B. Coffin. Chauncey Leonard. 1847. Ely Farnsworth.
1840. Alanson Driscoll. 1841. Robert McNeal, Jr.
1861. Albert B. Loomis.
OLD HOME IN SUMMERSET, ENGLAND.
RESIDENCE OF THOMAS HUTCHINGS, JEFFERSON , HILLSDALE CO MICH
279
HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
The town is now and has for many years been Repub- lican in politics. The elections are held at Osseo.
The first post-office was established Aug. 20, 1839, through the efforts of Warren Thompson, who circulated a petition, obtained a number of signatures, forwarded it to the Department, and was commissioned as postmaster on the date above mentioned. He retained this position nearly twenty-two years, although the office was kept several years by deputies appointed by him. Upon the election of Abra- ham Lincoln to the presidency, Mr. Thompson was removed and Ebenezer Hunt appointed in his stead. During the administration of Andrew Johnson the office was transferred into the hands of Isaac N. Green, who held it until the winter of 1873-74, when William H. Kimball superseded him. In 1875, William R. Davis was appointed, and held it for eight months, and was succeeded by the present in- cumbent, L. H. Elliott, who was appointed in the summer of 1876. At first the office was a station on the Hillsdale and Maumee post-route, and was kept at Mr. Thompson's log house. Soon after the completion of the railroad it was changed to Osseo village, and was first kept in the tavern of Isaiah Green. It was first known as Florida post-office until the name of the town was changed, and then it was called Osseo. Another post-office was established in the south part of the town, six or seven years ago. It is called South Jefferson post-office, and is kept at the house of the postmaster, Mr. A. Van Arsdale.
The village of Osseo lies in the north centre of the town, or portions of sections 4 and 9. At the time of the build- ing of the railroad Jonesville was the county-seat, and the citizens of Hillsdale were making an effort to have the county-seat removed to their village, claiming that it was nearer the centre of the county and more convenient to the whole population. This movement was seen to be gaining strength, and a few of the citizens of Jonesville conceived the idea of starting a village nearer the centre of the county, to contest with Hillsdale the possession of the county seat, and thus, by dividing the forces of the oppo- sition, to keep things as they were.
In pursuance of this scheme, " The Osseo Village Com- pany" was formed, and purchased a tract of land of 130 acres, on which they surveyed a village plat of about 6 acres, which was recorded in the register's office March 11, 1840. So sanguine were the people of this vicinity that the county-seat would be removed to this village that the sites of the county buildings were selected, and prepara- tions made to build. But when they found out the ruse of the Jonesville people, they sided with the citizens of Hills- dale, and assisted in changing the county-seat to that place.
The original proprietors of the plat were Hervey Smith, James K. Kinman, William W. Murphy, Benjamin F. Smith, and George C. Munro. An addition was made to the village August 2, 1866, by Warren Thompson, Jona- than Silcox, Francis Ogden, and three others who owned lots at the northeast of the village.
The name " Osseo" is of Indian origin, said to mean " fiery plumes," and was derived from the appearance of the marshes and woods when the annual burning of them ook place.
The first building erected in Osseo was the tavern of
Isaiah Green, which still stands on the northwest corner of Monroe Avenue and McClelland Street. It was also the first frame building in the township. Wm. Hecox had previously erected a frame addition to his log house, but this was the first built entirely of framed timbers. It is now used as a store. The succeeding summer Mr. Green erected a small building on the opposite corner, which he rented for store purposes to Philo A. Wells, who kept a small grocery there. A short time after, this building was sold to Thomas Silver, who moved it to the south side of the railroad, where Hunt's store now stands. In 1857, Silver sold the building to Ebenezer Hunt, from whose hands it passed into the possession of Fred Silver, and lastly into the hands of Thomas Porter, the present owner. Mr. Green, in a short time after the removal of this build- ing, put up another small store on the same site, which he occupied as a dry-goods and grocery-store. This is now owned by William D. Jones and used for a dwelling. About a year later, in 1843, a warehouse was built at the east side of the railroad crossing, which was afterwards fitted up for a store and occupied by Isaiah Green. Two or three years later it was removed to its present site, just east of the hotel. The first dwelling-house in the village was in the west part, and was built by Peter Conrad.
From this small commencement Osseo has grown to its present size. The growth has been slow and steady up to the panic of 1873, since which time it has, as in nearly all other villages, practically ceased. At present, indications of renewed activity in building are making their appear- ance. Of the business places opened at a later day than those already mentioned, we name a few. Ebenezer Hunt opened a store here in 1854, and in 1859-60 he put up the building he now occupies. He has been connected in busi- ness partnerships with other persons a part of the time, and John N. Miner is now a partner in the business. The first blacksmith-shop was that of William S. Leonard, standing north of the old tavern. In 1853, Isaiah Green erected a new hotel opposite the old one, which was converted into a store, and is still keeping a public-house there. He has been the only innkeeper in the town from the time of set- tlement, a period of 43 years, and is now completing his 25th year in the present house. The first hardware-store and tin-shop was opened in 1868, by George W. Cooper. J. H. Mann is the present merchant in that line of trade. The first, and at present the only brick business block, was erected in 1863, by Zelora and Dorr Phillips, and is used as a drug-store. The second story is occupied by the Masons as their lodge-room. A brick-yard was started by Phillips Brothers about 1863. The first church in the village was the Methodist church, built in 1860. The second, a brick structure, was built by the Free Baptists in 1873.
At present the village contains about 60 dwellings, one dry-goods and grocery-store, two drug- and grocery-stores, one hardware-store and tin-shop, one boot- and shoe-shop, two carriage- and blacksmith-shops, one blacksmith-shop, one brick and tile-factory, one hotel, a fine brick school- house, two churches, and the depot and warehouse of the L. S. & M. S. Railroad Co. Its population is about 350.
A small portion of the village of Pittsford, containing the Christian Church, lies in this town. The history of
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HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
that village will be found in connection with that of the town of Pittsford.
We have heretofore made mention of the first school in the town, kept by Sarah Bullard in 1839. As the town became settled more thickly, new districts were organized, until at present there are 10 whole and 2 joint districts in the town. These schools are all maintained on a liberal footing, and are furnishing educational facilities of no mean character to the children of the town. In District No. 2 is a school and building of which the citizens of Osseo may well be proud. It was changed from a common to a graded school in December, 1867, upon the completion of the new house, and commenced at that time under the charge of George W. Thompson and Adaline G. Darrow. The present teachers are C. B. Derthick and Alice Darrow. The build- ing was erected in 1867, at a cost of about $4000. It is 30 by 50 feet, and built of brick, and, standing as it does on an eminence in the east part of the village, presents a pleasant and attractive appearance, adding very much to the looks of the village. There are about 90 pupils in attendance, and the school census of 1878 shows that there are but 103 persons of school age (between five and twenty years) residing in the district, demonstrating the fact that nearly 90 per cent. of the children are in school.
The following is a list of the first and also of the present officers of the district, viz. :
First Officers .- Moderator, H. H. Harring; Director, F. W. Thompson ; Assessor, G. W. Cooper; Trustees, Ebenezer Hunt, F. W. Thompson, Morris Lamb, James King, H. H. Harring, Joseph Slaght.
Present Officers .- Moderator, A. R. Whitney ; Director, Dorr Phillips ; Assessor, James King; Trustees, L. H. Elliott, William E. Burnett, James Rose.
Aside from agriculture and the usual mechanical pur- suits, the business of the town is limited. There are two saw-mills and two grist-mills now in operation, and these, with those already mentioned, complete the list of mills and factories. One enterprise we wish, however, to make a more special mention of, and that is the
OSSEO BRICK AND DRAIN-TILE WORKS.
About fourteen years ago, while the citizens were im- proving the grade of the road leading south from the vil- lage, they cut through the surface soil of sand and gravel, and struck a vein of clay that looked as if it might be ex- cellent for the purpose of manufacturing brick. Subse- quently, by the digging of wells at different places along the hill, it was discovered that the clay formed an extensive bed, underlying the whole hill on which the village stands. Phillips Brothers established a brick-yard soon after this, and about 1869 added the manufacture of drain-tile on a small scale.
The business constantly increased, as the tough and durable nature of the tile became recognized, and in 1873 the premises and business was purchased by William H. Kimball, who, in the spring of 1878, sold a half-interest to Dexter Hadley. The bed of clay is seemingly almost in- exhaustible and of a very superior quality, being plastic and easily worked and remarkably free from impurities. It is well adapted to the manufacture of coarse pottery if not
for the finer grades, and that branch is soon to be added to the manufactures of the company. It is the largest and best tile-factory in the county, and ranks well with any in the State. During the past year the works have turned off 225,000 tile and have employed on an average eight men. The Tiffany Tile-Machine is used, and the capacity is about 300,000 a year. A 25 horse-power steam-engine is used to run the works.
A serious railroad accident occurred at Osseo, about the 20th of December, 1864, by which three persons lost their lives and many others were more or less injured. It was in the early morning. A freight-train had passed through in the night and the switch-tender had depended on the con- ductor of that train to close the switch after he had passed, but this was not done, and when the express-train came dashing along at a high rate of speed it was thrown from the track and badly wrecked, and the unsuspecting passen- gers were hurled into a promiscuous heap, from which they were rescued as speedily as possible and received the care and attention of the villagers. The three who were killed were buried here, until their friends came and removed them. The switchman and the conductor of the freight- train immediately fled, and were never called to account for their criminal negligence.
The Masonic fraternity has an organization in this town. It is known as
STAR LODGE, NO. 93, F. AND A. M.
It was instituted on the 16th day of January, 1857, under the auspices of Fidelity Lodge, No. 32, F. and A. M., of Hillsdale, with ten members. Their names were Lewis Hagadorn, Chauncey Leonard, Samuel P. Vanakin, Wil- liam M. Clark, Samuel B. Paylor, Abel Wolcott, Horatio W. Bates, Marvin W. Thatcher, Milo Bell, and Ichabod Steadman.
The first officers were installed Jan. 29, 1857, as fol- lows, viz .: Lewis Hagadorn, W. M. ; Chauncey Leonard, S. W .; Samuel P. Vanakin, J. W .; M. W. Thatcher, S. D ; H. W. Gere, J. D .; Alanson Driscoll, Treas .; William M. Clark, Sec .; Samuel B. Paylor, Tyler. The installa- tion ceremonies were conducted by Franklin French, W. M. of Fidelity Lodge, of Hillsdale.
The Masters of the lodge in the order of their service have been Lewis Hagadorn, David H. Lord, Chauncey Leonard, Francis W. Thompson, Samuel S. Hinkle, Zelora Phillips, Caleb Green, N. W. Thompson, S. M. Huntington, Samuel S. Hinkle, and William E. Burnett. The membership at present is about 60.
The lodge owns the hall, in the second story of the Phillips block, and have fitted it up in handsome style. The entire expense of hall and furniture has been about $1500. The present officers are William E. Burnett, W. M .; Guy Kingsley, S. W .; Sanford Leonardson, J. W. ; Thomas Porter, S. D .; A. G. Mosher, J. D .; George W. Rumsey, Treas .; Sanford F. Greene, Sec .; H. H. Harring, Tyler.
Living in the north part of the town is an aged couple seventy-eight years of age, both born on the same day, and who have been living in the relation of husband and wife upwards of fifty years. It is remarkable as a coincidence
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HISTORY OF HILLSDALE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
of ages, as an instance of longevity, and as a more than usu- ally prolonged term of wedded life. This worthy couple, who are held in high esteem by all who know them, are Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Knight.
The churches of this town are four in number: two of them, the Methodist Episcopal and Free Baptist churches, at Osseo; another, the Adventist church, in the south part ; and the last, the Christian church, at Pittsford. We have obtained as full histories of each of them as we were able to, which we here present.
OSSEO METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The first service held in connection with the organization of this society was a sermon preached at the house of Horatio Hadley in 1836. The congregation consisted of five persons, and the minister, Rev. Mr. Wilcox, received for his services a " five-dollar gold-piece." In 1837 a class was formed, consisting of thirteen persons, and the society was attached to Bean Creek Mission. It was afterwards changed to the Hillsdale Circuit, and some years later was established as a separate charge.
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