USA > Michigan > Lenawee County > Illustrated history and biographical record of Lenawee County, Mich. > Part 26
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RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
(Waite) Brown, was born in the same place, June 25, 1797, and died in Adrian, Mich., May 26, 1888. Mr. and Mrs. Brown were de- scendants of the early Puritans of Massachusetts. The old homes and birthplaces of Mr. and Mrs. Brown are still standing in Hub- bardston. They are remarkably well preserved, and present in these "modern days" fine specimens of the architecture and building skill of the Revolutionary era.
DEACON ASAPH K. PORTER was born in Covert, Seneca County, N. Y., March 26, 1812, and is the only man in Fairfield township that still resides on the land he took up from the govern- ment in 1833, his deed for 160 acres on Section 7 being signed by President Andrew Jackson. Mr. Porter has lived continuously on this farm for seventy years, and now in his ninety-second year, is in
Asaph K. Porter.
Mrs. Rachel Porter.
good health and retains all his faculties to a remarkable degree. He sprung from hardy English stock. His great-grandfather, Joshua Porter, who came from England early in the 17th century, was a pioneer in Connecticut, where he raised a large family. In an In- dian conflict he was killed, and his body burned by the savages. His son, John Porter, grandfather of our subject, afterwards emigrated to Tompkins County, N. Y., where he was a pioneer, and raised a.
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ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
family of nine sons and three daughters. Lewis Porter, father of our subject, was a pioneer in Seneca County, N. Y., where he cleared up a farm, and had a family of twelve children. His oldest son, Asaph K., was a pioneer in Lenawee County, Mich., and had a fam- ily of nine children. This certainly shows a wonderful record of pioneer life, covering a period of over three centuries. Mr. Porter
Residence of Asaph K. Porter, Fairfield. This Photo taken in 1902. Notice cherry tree in fore- ground, set out in 1836.
has always been an active, energetic citizen, alive to the best inter- ests of the community, and while he was always ready to do battle for the material welfare of the early settlers, he never neglected the religious, moral and ethical side of life. He was instrumental in or- ganizing schools, churches and Sunday schools. A Baptist church was organized in 1838, and he gave an acre of land for the church building, besides assisting in its construction. The church is now known as the First Baptist church of Weston. It affords us great satisfaction to present the accompanying portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Porter, whose life work has been so much to descendants and many friends. We also show a fine picture of the comfortable home, erected in 1853, on the spot where the first log cabin stood. April 6, 1836, Mr. Porter was married to Miss Rachel Glazier, daughter of Walker and Cornelia Glazier, of Covert, Seneca County, N. Y., and nine children were born to them, as fol- lows: Edwin C., born February 24, 1837, a farmer of Fairfield;
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RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Walker G., born October 19, 1839, farmer of Fairfield, was a mem- ber of the 18th Michigan Infantry, and served for three years in the war of the Rebellion; James T., born December 12, 1841, died Octo- ber 7, 1851; Sarah C., born June 24, 1844, died September 26, 1851; Lewis T., born September 27, 1846, a resident of Morenci ; Emma L., born November 7, 1849, died February 3, 1850; Jane, born August 17, 1851, wife of M. L. Foster, of Frontier, Hillsdale County ; Ro- salia, born October 22, 1855, wife of E. C. Chandler, of Steubenville, Ohio; Ezra H., born January 31, 1859, always resided at the old home. Mrs. Rachel Porter was born in Peekskill, N. Y., May 10, 1818, and died at her home in Fairfield, January 29, 1894. Her father was born June 16, 1789, and died September 7, 1873. Her mother was born April 1, 1791, and died March 18, 1856.
DR. JAMES HENRY REYNOLDS was the son of Madison and Augusta (Moon) Reynolds, of Avon, Lorain County, Ohio, hav- ing settled there in 1810. Mrs. Reynolds father was the first settler of the town of Avon. Her people were originally from the Green Mountain State, while Mr. Reynolds', Sr., parents were from the Empire State. Our subject was born in Amherst, Lorain County, May 14, 1845. At the age of 6 years his parents moved to Peters- burg, Monroe County, where he resided until 1868. He was a stu- dent there in the public schools, and was prepared for college at the Ypsilanti Seminary. He served in the army about two years, and was mustered out May 7, 1865, before he was twenty years old. He was a member of Company G., Sixth Michigan Heavy Artillery, and performed the duties of hospital steward. On his return from the army Mr. Reynolds took up the study of medicine with Dr. D. W. Loree, of Ridgeway, this county. He attended medical lectures at the U. of M., and graduated from the Detroit Medical College in 1871. Dr. Reynolds practiced medicine in Palmyra for fifteen years, and removed to Adrian in 1883, where he remained in practice until 1895. On account of failing health he gave up his lucrative prac- tice and assisted in the organization of the Bond Steel Post Com- pany, and was made secretary and advertising agent, which he held for two and one-half years, when he disposed of his interests and accepted a position, October, 1897, with the Page Woven Wire Fence Company, as advertising manager, which he still retains, and it is an open secret that to him belongs no small share of the credit of the perfection to which this department has been brought. Dr. Reynolds is known as a man possessed of a large fund of information on this line, giving much study and care to the duties of his office. Dr. Reynolds makes all advertising contracts and supplies all the copy, sees to the novelties, and represents the company at the Na-
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tional Manufacturers' Associations. He is an honorary member of the National Agricultural Press League, treasurer of the Farmers' National Congress, and one of the committee on transportation. He is a student every day of his life, and is quite a traveler, having visited nearly every large city in the United States. Dr. Reynolds has always voted the Republican ticket, because they could not raise Democrats near Oberlin, O., where he was brought up. He held the office of super- intendent of schools of Pal- myra township in the days when that officer had to ex- amine teachers and visit the schools. He was twice elected Town Clerk and has. served as health officer many years. He was U. S. examining surgeon for pen- sions on the board at Adrian for six years, and for five years he was surgeon for the Lake Shore Railroad Company at this point. Dr. Reynolds dropped out of politics and had not at- tended a caucus for ten years, but in the spring of Dr. J. H. Reynolds. 1901 he was elected Mayor of the city of Adrian. It was mainly through his ef- forts that the city was bonded and given the start towards the im- provements which are now taking place. Also the settlement with the Lake Shore road about the Centre street bridge was left almost entirely to him, which every citizen realized was very favorable to our city. It was under his administration that the work was laid out and estimates agreed upon for the paving of North and South Main streets, East Church, Michigan and West Maumee streets, and the city bonded for $50,000 to pay for these improvements. October 21, 1869, Dr. Reynolds was married to Miss Margaretta V. Steele, of Palmyra. This union was blessed with two children, Miss Bertha L., now the wife of J. H. Early, of Rockford, Ill., and Miss Florence L., who resides at the homestead. In the Masonic bodies Dr. Reynolds has been worshipful master of Palmyra lodge, high priest of Blissfield Chapter, R. A. M., T. I. M. of Adrian Council of Royal and Select Masters, and eminent commander of Adrian Commandery, No. 4, K. T. He is past commander of Woodbury Post, G. A. R., and has held the office of esteemed lecturing knight of the Adrian Lodge of Elks, No. 429, for three years. Dr. Reynolds has done much towards
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RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
the advance and upbuilding of his adopted city, using his time and means. During the past few years he has erected one of the largest and finest business blocks in Adrian, situated on North Main street and known as the Reynolds Block. His home is pleasantly located at No. 7 Broad street.
CHARLES HAHN was born Mecklenberg, Germany, March 7, 1853, and came to the United States in 1870, first settling at Liberty Centre, Ohio. He resided there until 1876, when he removed to Ogden, this county, and soon after purchased a farm on Section 16. In 1884 he sold his first purchase, and bought the farm where he
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hahn, of Ogden.
now resides, on Section 10. Mr. Hahn came to this country when he was seventeen years old, with a brother and two sisters. The par- ents had died in Germany some years before. Since that time his remaining two sisters have come to this country. All his relatives reside in Ohio. He came to the United States penniless, and had
20
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ILLUSTRATED HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHICAL
agreed to pay for his passage after his arrival, which he did. He has been blessed with good health and a resolute purpose, and has succeeded remarkably well. After a struggle of thirty-three years he has reached a safe haven, and owns an Ogden farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres, with good buildings and comfortable surround- ings. He is engaged in general farming, and is a successful feeder of cattle and hogs. December 23, 1875, Charles Hahn married Miss Catherine Huttenlocker, daughter of Andrew and Mary Hutten- locker, of Huron, Ohio, and they are the parents of four children, as follows : Joseph A., born January 1, 1877 ; William F., born June 8, 1879, died April 25, 1901; Ezra A., born October 11, 1883; Lydia L., born January 16, 1888; Mrs. Catherine Hahn was born in Sandusky, Ohio, March 3, 1855. Her parents are natives of Wir- temberg, Germany, came to America about the year 1850, first set- tling in Sandusky, Ohio, where they resided for about two years, when a farm was purchased in Huron, Ohio, where Mr. Huttenlocker still resides. His wife died there December 23, 1894.
HUDSON W. CONKLING was born in Walkill, Orange County, N. Y., December 24, 1821, and came to Michigan with his parents in 1833. His father, Samuel G. Conkling, was born in Orange County, N. Y., April 11, 1797. [For his family record see Whitney & Bonner's History and Biographical Record of Lenawee County, Vol 1, page 111.] Hudson W. Conkling lived with his parents until he was about nineteen years old, when he went to learn the carpenter's trade with Alonzo Murray, one of the pioneer builders of Tecumseh. He fol- lowed carpentering and building for several years, when he went into the Anderson & Brewer foundry as pattern-maker. It was but a few years after this that he became a partner in the business, and continued there until 1889, when he disposed of his interest. Since that time he has devoted his time to his farming interests. Mr. Conkling well remembers the construction of the old horse railroad that run from Palmyra, where it connected with the Erie & Kalama- zoo Railroad that then run from Toledo to Adrian. The road was built from Palmyra to Clinton, and was first operated by horse power about 1839. The track of this road was made of 2x4 hard maple strips, laid upon larger timbers or stringers. The road was operated on this track until about 1842, when the iron strap rail was used and a small locomotive took the place of horses. Joseph Tucker was the engineer who run the first locomotive into Tecumseh. The Globe mills were built in 1836-7 by Stillman Blanchard and Mr. Gardner, of Troy, N. Y. After the county seat was removed to Adrian in 1836, the court house was at once utilized as a school house, and was called a "branch" of the Michigan University. Mr. Conk-
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RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ling's earliest recollection of the teachers in this school included Judge S. C. LeBaron, Perley Bills and Miss Brown, who afterwards became Mrs. Bills. Mr. Conkling remembers an oak tree that was cut on Section 12, in Raisin, that measured over eight feet in diam- eter, made many thousand staves of best cuts, besides three eleven foot rail cuts. December 31, 1842, Hudson W. Conkling married Miss Caroline Gray, daughter of Hugh and Mary (Sinclair) Gray, of Raisin, this county, and they have had four children, as follows : Frances Elmira, born in Tecumseh, July 23, 1843, married L. C. Blood, and resides in Lansing. She is the mother of four children, Dewitt C., born in Tecumseh, died at the age of five years; Henry C., died in infancy ; Sarah Jane, born in Tecumseh, November 11, 1864, married Joseph B. VanNess, was the mother of two children, Gertrude and Lester H. She died in Tecumseh, May 6, 1889. Mrs. Hudson W. Conkling was born in Livonia, Livingston County, N. Y., June 4, 1824, and came to Michigan with her parents in 1831. Her parents were natives of Ireland, and came to the United States with their parents when they were children, and settled in Northum- berland County, Pa.
DAVID METCALF was born in Davenport, Delaware County, N. Y., October, 21, 1827. His father, Ira Metcalf, was a native of Connecticut, and was born September 10, 1794. When a young man Ira Metcalf removed to Delaware County, N. Y., purchased a farm in Davenport township, and resided there until 1851. He then emi- grated to Fox Lake, Dodge County, Wis., where he purchased a large farm in the township of Trenton, and resided there until his death, which occurred at Fox Lake, Wis., August 24, 1875. October 28, 1816, Ira Metcalf married Miss Sarah Goodrich, daughter of Seth Goodrich, and they had five children, David being the third son and fourth child. Mrs. Sarah Metcalf was born in Delaware County, February 15, 1796, and died at Fox Lake, Wis., September 30, 1866. Her father, Seth Goodrich, was a very early settler in Delaware County, N. Y., raised a family of eleven children, and resided there until his death. David Metcalf, the subject of this sketch, lived with his parents on the farm in Delaware County, N. Y., until 1849, when he removed to Wisconsin, and settled on Fox River Reserva- tion, among the Indians. At that time the land had not been sur- veyed. He "squatted" on the land, where he built a log house, and other buildings. There were three families in the colony that Mr. Metcalf was a part of, but at the end of one year, Mr. Metcalf traded his chances on his claim for a surveyed tract near Fox Lake. After two years' hard work on this farm, his health failed him, and he engaged in merchandizing in Fox Lake village, where he remained until the spring of 1858. At that time he removed to Watertown, engaged in railroad-
-
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ing on the great thoroughfare now known as the Milwaukee & St. Paul Ralroad, and remained there until 1861, when he was ap- pointed mail agent, his route being between Milwaukee & La Crosse. He remained in the mail service for over three years, but owing to ill-health, resigned in favor of a veteran in the Rebellion. He after- wards returned to railroading and besides filling many other positions, was made purchasing agent of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, and remained in that capacity until 1871, when he was appointed by S. S. Mer- rill, General Manager, General Roadmaster of all the lines of the M. & S. P. Railroad, east of the Mississippi River. He laid the track now in use be- tween Chicago and Milwaukee, and completed the work in 1873. He continued in the service of the company in va- rious responsible and import- ant positions until 1882, when he resigned and moved to Michigan. On coming to David Metcalf. Michigan he settled in Adrian, and purchased a home on the corner of Clinton and Toledo streets, known as the Ira Buck home. In 1883 he engaged in the dry goods business in Adrian, the firm being Metcalf & Co., and remained in trade until 1889. He was one of the organizers, and is a stock- holder and director of the Commercial Savings Bank of Adrian, and has been con- nected with many other im- portant business enterprises of the city. He built a fine resi- dence on State street in 1889. For several years he was a trustee of the Bay View Camp Ground Association, and was its secretary for nine years. He is President of the Na- Mrs. Amelia Metcalf. tional Voting Machine Com-
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RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
pany of Adrian. He was for six years the resident member and treasurer of the State Industrial Home for Girls, at Adrian, serving from 1893 to 1900, and is also President of the Board of Trustees of Adrian College. He has been for several years a trustee of the
Residence of David Metcalf, No. 10 State Street, Adrian.
Young Men's Christian Association. March 26, 1849. David Met- calf married Miss Amelia G. Gibbs, daughter of Benjamin F. Gibbs, of Harpersfield, Delaware County, N. Y. Mrs. David Metcalf was born in Harpersfield, November 12, 1828.
DR. LUCIAN GREGORY NORTH was born in Tompkins County, N. Y., October 29, 1850. His father, John C. North, was born in Tompkins County, January 5, 1820, and was the son of Joshua and Jemima (Hedden) North, who were pioneers there, be- ing natives of Pennsylvania. They were married January 5, 1808, and at once took up a new farm in Tompkins County. John C. North was always a farmer, and was an unassuming, honorable and sincere man. His life was passed in doing his duty as he saw it,
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and he was respected in his community. In 1860 he came to Michi- gan with his family, and after spending two years in Delhi, Ingham County, he removed to Parma, Jackson County, where he resided five years, when, owing to declining health, he gave up farming, and removed to Tecumseh, where he died March 31, 1879. January 5, 1850, he married Miss Abbie Jane Gregory, daughter of Elijah and Amy (Ketchum) Gregory, of Tompkins County, and they had two children, Dr. Lucian G. being the oldest. The sec- ond child was a daughter, Amy, who died near Lansing, Mich., in 1861. Mrs. Abby Jane North was born in Tomp- kins County, N. Y., Septem- ber 27, 1824, and is still living in Tecumseh with her son. Dr. Lucian G. North followed farming until he was seven- teen years old. On coming to Tecumseh, in 1867, he attended the high school for two years. The next five years were passed in a sash, door and blind factory. In 1874 he took up the study of medicine with the late Dr. I. S. Hamilton, and graduated from the medi- cal department of Michigan Dr. L. G. North, Tecumseh. University in June, 1877. He then remained in Ann Arbor in post-graduate work for two years, during which time he was sec- retary of the Faculty of the Department of Medicine and Surgery. In June, 1879, he came to Tecumseh and formed a partnership with the late Dr. Hamilton for the practice of medicine and surgery, which continued for two years. He has occupied his present office since that time. For the past nineteen years he has been a member of the Tecumseh School Board, and for eighteen years its secretary. He has been a member of the Baptist church for twenty-five years, and was superintendent of the Sunday school for upwards of twenty years. During the first two or three years of his practice it was a hard struggle, but at this time he occupies a prominent place in the community. He is a member of the Lenawee County Medical So- ciety, the Michigan State Medical Society, and the American Medi- cal Association. He is the local surgeon for the following railroads : Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, the Detroit, Toledo & Milwaukee, and the Detroit Southern. September 3, 1878, Dr. North married Miss Ida M. Stevens, daughter of Asahel and Lucia (Bowen) Stev-
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RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
ens, of Tecumseh, and they have two children, as follows : Naomi S., born December 7, 1879, is a graduate of Kalamazoo College, and is now a teacher in Kalamazoo High School. Cuyler S., born Sep- tember 7, 1882, a student at Kalamazoo College. Killed by Michigan Central passenger train while on a visit to Albion, Mich., June 6, 1903. When they entered the first grade of the Tecumseh public schools their father was a member of the Board of Education, and at the close of a twelve years' course, representing the board, he had the satisfaction of presenting them with their diplomas., Mrs. Ida M. North was born at Cooperstown, N. Y., September 13, 1853. Her father, Asahel Stevens, was born in Springfield, N. Y., and he was the son of James and Rhoda (Parmelee) Stevens. Asahel Stevens was a seafaring man, and before his marriage had visited nearly every important seaport in the civilized world.
COSPER RORICK was born in Seneca, Lenawee County, Mich., October 8, 1838. His father, Estell Rorick, was born in Deckertown, Sussex County, N. J., April 21, 1809, where he lived until 1834. He was the son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Wilson) Rorick, natives of Sussex County. The Rorick ancestors were German, and the Wilsons were Irish. Estell Rorick was brought up a farmer, and always followed that calling. In 1837 he came to Michigan and purchased land on Section 7, in Seneca, this county, but subse- quently sold out and purchased land in Dover. After residing a few years in Dover he again removed to Seneca and purchased a farm on Sections 8 and 17, where he resided until his death, which oc- curred September 14, 1880. February 7, 1836, Estell Rorick married Miss Hannah Breese, daughter of Elias and Deborah (Bennett) Breese, of Horse Heads, N. Y., and they had four children : Cosper ; Deborah Ann, who married Philetus Spear; Lovina A., who married Dr. C. F. Bennett; Mary Melissa, who married Sylvester K. Por- ter. Mrs. Hannah (Breese) Rorick was born in Horse Heads, N. Y., January 1, 1804, and died in Seneca, October 30, 1896. Cosper Rorick, subject of this sketch, has always lived in Lenawee County, and was educated in the district schools of his township, Barrows' Academy in Medina, and at Oak Grove Academy, in Medina village. He has always lived on a farm, and followed that business until 1894, when he located in the village of Morenci, where he now re- sides. While engaged in active farming he was largely interested in dairying, and for twenty-five years had a cheese factory on his farm. He also handled considerable live stock (cattle and hogs) and fitted them for the market. At one time he owned seven hundred and sixty acres of land, nearly all in one body. He erected fine buildings, among the very best in the township, and has always
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Cosper Rorick, Morenci.
taken pride in keeping them in good repair. He erected a good res- idence in Morenci, where he lives and is now engaged in looking after his property interests. He is a Director and Vice President of the First National Bank of Morenci. He never took to politics, and never sought or held a political office. June 30, 1861, Cosper Rorick married Miss Alice Horton, daughter of Samuel and Lucina Horton, of Fairfield, and they have had four children, as follows: George Herbert, born June 28, 1864, married, September 17, 1885, Mary
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RECORD OF LENAWEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Edith Kennedy, has two children, and resides on the home farm in Seneca ; Horton C., born December 6, 1866, married Mary Edna Packard, September 17, 1891, has three children, and resides in Toledo, Ohio; Eva May, born July 28, 1873, married George H. Crane, September 16, 1897. They have one child, and reside in Mo- nessen, Pa .; Leila Estell, born June 5, 1880, married Albert V. Foster, September 16, 1903, and resides in Morenci. Mrs. Alice (Horton) Rorick, was born in Lafayette, Medina County, Ohio, March 26, 1842, and died May 19, 1891. [For her family history see Hon. George B. Horton's record, in this volume.] November 21, 1894, Mr. Rorick married Miss Amie C. Spaulding, daughter of Leonard L. and Cordelia (Jacobs) Spaulding, of Detroit, Mich. Her father, a native of Vermont, was born in 1809, and died in Jonesville, Mich., in 1884. Her mother was a native of London, Canada, born January 6, 1823, and died January 31, 1885.
ISAAC H. MOSHER was born in Raisin, this county, August 31, 1835. His father, Thomas Mosher, was born in Stanford, Dutchess County, N. Y., December 26, 1806, and was the son of Joshua and Sarah (Hoag) Mosher, who were also natives of Stanford. They were married about the year 1800, Sarah being the daughter of Paul Hoag, a birth-right Quaker. Joshua and Sarah Mosher became the parents of eleven children. In 1808 they removed to Laurens, Otsego County, N. Y., where they lived for several years, but finally settled on a farm near Skaneateles, where Sarah died in 1860, and Joshua in 1863. The ancestors of the Moshers and the Hoags were Quakers, and originally came from New England to the State of New York. Hugh Mosher came from England some time in 1600. Thomas Mosher lived with his parents until he was twenty-one years old, and became both miller and farmer. In 1827 he left home, and in 1828 he went to Niagara County, N. Y., and purchased sixty acres of land of the Holland Purchase Company. Here he made a home and lived until 1832, when he came to Michigan, arriving in Adrian in May. He at once took up 160 acres of land in Madison, about six miles south of Adrian, where he resided until 1851, when he sold to Elisha Hinsdale, soon after purchasing a farm in Raisin. of Noah Tindall. January 15, 1834, Thomas Mosher married Miss Lucy Baker, daughter of Moses Baker, a Quaker pioneer. They had two children, as follows: Isaac H., born in Raisin, August 31, 1835; Sarah, born in Raisin, and married Moses Comfort. Mrs. Lucy (Baker) Mosher was born in Macedon, Wayne County, N. Y., No- vember 25, 1809. She came to Michigan with her parents in the spring of 1832, and settled in Fairfield, this county. She died at the home of her son-in-law, Moses Comfort, in Raisin, in the 79th year
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