USA > Nebraska > Seward County > History of Seward County, Nebraska, and reminiscenses of territorial history > Part 45
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She was born February 23, 1845, at Warrentown. They had born to them seven children, viz: Charles E., Edward H., Ellen M., Adolph H., Arthur F., Otto, died in infancy ; Minnie M., now Mrs. H. Spear. In the spring of 1870 the young couple came to the wild hills of Middle Creek and homesteaded land in section 24, in "H" precinct, here he broke the first sod in that locality. Mr. Koch is a very quiet, nnassum- ing citizen, but for all that he has made his mark in his adopted home where he has raised a large and intelligent family. One of his boys born on our own soil, Edward H. Koch, is now serving the people the second term as superintendent of public instruction.
Mr. Koch served as supervisor six years and as assessor for his pre- cinct four years. Before coming to this country he served in the German army over three years in the German and Austrian war. He is a member of the society of Koeniggratz. Mr. Koch is an all around, first class German-American citizen.
EDWARD H. KOCH
A Seward County lad born among the hills southeast of German- town, March 25, 1887. Went to the common school and helped his father on the farm but developed a keen desire to make something of himself. took a course in the Lincoln Normal and in 1895 commenced teaching, and his success was such as to attract general attention and in 1890 he was elected superintendent of public instruction for Seward County. But prior to this, August 30, 1899, he captured the heart and hand of Miss Grace, daughter of our old pioneer friend, Charles Lyon another child of the frontier, born April 1875, and for years one of the noble band of Seward Connty teachers. They have one little son, Carl Lee.
Mr. Koch is a little bashful and forbids the author to say that as an educator and high school officer he is a success but we will say this, the people passed judgment on his case by re-electing him in 1903. We trust that a big future is before this Seward County boy that had the nerve to forge to the front, by dint of his own indomitable will.
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
CALR F. KROEGER
The owner of the oldest boot and shoe house in the county. Was born June 17, 1849, in Germany. Came to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1865 and to Seward in 1871, where he has stitched and pegged away since for years until now he owns a very fine store full of first class goods. In 1870 he found just the right girl in Miss Sophia Rost at Cleveland, and they were married in that city in 1853. They have nine living chil- dren, viz; Louisa, Carl, Jr., Edward, Lucreta, now Mrs. Chris May- land; Gertrude, Paul, Oscar, Clara and Pauline. The church home is with the Lutherans.
Mr. Kroeger is an energetic business man and a splendid type of German-American citizenship ..
HENRY W. KRUEGER
Was a native of the sucker state, born at Lake Zurich, Lake County, March 27, 1859. He found his way to Iowa and May 17, 1888, he won the hand and heart of Miss Mary Schuknecht. She was born in Bramer County, June 19, 1867. They have five children, viz: Martha, Edward, Arthur, and a pair of twins, Martin and Manda. Came to York County in 1888 and to Seward County in 1895 and now owns the old Beaty farm one mile northeast of Seward. Has a most beautiful home. He is a great admirer of red pigs and has a very fine herd of them.
SOLOMON D. LANCE
A pioneer of "N" township who has grown up with the country that has come forward by leaps and bounds but Mr. Lance has kept pace with the land of his adoption. He and his good wife pulled out of the mud and brush of old Fulton County, Illinois, with a team, and came all the weary way across Iowa, with a steady eye fixed on Seward County where they landed and set their stakes at the now beautiful home on section 21 in "N" precinct in the spring of 1874 and got ready to welcome the grasshoppers in the following summer.
Mr. Lance was born July 24, 1849, and was raised a farmer boy. Somehow Solomon strayed away to Aurora, Illinois, and found the young Miss Elizabeth E. Beebe, to whom he proposed in due time and September 14, 1873, they were married at Aurora. She was born in Kane County, Illinois, October 20, 1850. Their children are not yet named. Mr. Lance owns a first class farm of three hundred twenty acres, well improved, with a beautiful dwelling. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. Church home of the family is with the Christian church.
HARRY D. LANDES
Here is a young man that has lived so nearly all his life in Seward County that we can claim him as a product of our own soil, as he was transplanted from Sterling, Illinois, when one year old. Was born
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July 17, 1878, and came with his parents to Milford in 1879, where the lad grew to manhood. His father was for many years a merchant in Milford. The boy attended the village school and later he completed a course in the high school of Lincoln and graduated with honors, after which in 1899, he graduated from the university of Nebraska and re- ceived the degree of B. S. In 1901 ne took the law degree of LL. D. and was admitted to practice in all the courts of Nebraska. He imme- diately came to Seward and opened an office under the firm name of Landes and Schick where it seems a bright future is before him.
Mr. Landes served as deputy clerk of the supreme court of Nebraska with much credit for six months. He is a member of the Masonic order and also an active member of the Sons of Herman. We are always glad to see our Seward County boys come to the front and here is one that we will more than probably hear from in the years to come.
JAMES T. LOGAN
Son of Hugh Logan and grandson of J. H. Betzer, our veteran editor. Was in California during the Philippine war and enlisted in the regular army August 14, 1900. Was sent to Manilla and assigned to Company L, 20th U. S. infantry, where he served till March 1902, as corporal. Was then at Fort Sheridan until November, 1902, when he was discharged, but would not stay discharged. Re-enlisted in Com- pany S. 20th U. S. infantry, February 10, 1903, and returned to the Philippines with his regiment and was detailed as clerk in the Adju- tant's office. The regiment is yet at the post of duty in our far away islands.
HUGH LOGAN
Born in Ayrshire, Scotland, August 10, 1848, and transplanted to our more fertile and genial soil in 1869, by the banks of the "father of waters" at Keokuk, Iowa. He found Seward in 1880, where a Seward girl attracted his attention and September 2, 1880, he married Miss America A., daughter of our veteran editor, J. H. Betzer.
She was born in Marion County, Iowa, March 27, 1859. They have four boys and an adopted daughter : James T., William R., Welby H. Donald F., and Alpha M.
Mr. Logan is a carpenter and builder. Has by industry and fru gality built a nice home. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and the M. W. A. A very trustworthy and respected citizen.
BENJAMIN LAUBER
An Illinois boy born in Livingston County, April 5, 1871. He found Nebraska at eleven and found a home in west "O" precinct where he has grown up to manhood and May 21, 1895, he won the hand and heart of Miss Phoebe Stauffer and was married at the Amish church.
She was born in Livingston County, Illinois, April 15, 1876. They
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have six children, viz: Adaline, May, David, now dead ; Daniel, Mattie and Joseph.
Mr. Lauber was raised a farmer boy and continues in that honora- ble calling with success. He is located in that splendid settlement west of Milford. Church home is with the Amish Menonite people.
REV. FREDERIC W. LEAVITT
Pastor in charge of the Congregational church of Seward. Was born at Monticello, Iowa, February 11, 1873. Was the son of a Congre- gational minister. When six years old the parents made Nebraska their home and sojourned at Ashland, here Fred commenced his studies.
At thirteen we find him in the Norfolk high school. He graduated in the class of 1895 at Doane College and in 1896 was assistant principal in the high school at Crete. Next we find him at Audover Seminary three years, where he graduated in 1899. Just then, in August he mar- ried Miss Jessie B. McGrew, of Geneva, Nebraska. She was born at Wyoming, Iowa, October 22, 1875. They have one babe, Carolyn.
Rev. Leavitt was pastor four years at West Point, Nebraska, and was called to Seward in 1903.
THEODORE LEGER
Was born in old Normandy in France, March 2, 1833. Took a nor- mal conise of study in Paris, commencing at sixteen and graduating at eighteen. Then commenced his career as teacher in the south of France. Married to Miss Augustine Chostel September 6, 1860. Five children, all yet living, were born to them as follows: Theodore A .. now a minister in Idaho; Eva, now Mrs. Baros; Bertha, now Mrs. Rum- mell ; Paul H., and Manrice V.
Mrs. Leger died at the family home in "I" precinct. December I7, 1879. Mr. Leger came to this country in 1866 and made his home in Illinois and came to Seward County in 1873. Married to Mrs. Grace Winhouse in 1883. Five children were born to them, viz: Edgar M., Ida R., Grace X., Robert and Alphonso. The church house of the family is with the French Evangelical Presbyterians.
Has beautifully improved the farm and has a nice home with fruit, flowers and shrubery.
A. LEAVENS
The present probate judge of Seward County. Was born Jannary 16, 1851, at Bethel, Ohio, but did most of his growing in Illinois and Iowa. April 20, 1874, he married Miss Maggie E. Skinner in Bell Plains, Iowa. She was born at Portage, Wisconsin, April 20, 1859. They have three children, viz: Mae E. Casler ; Nellie Rutledge and Mande, J. Leavens, who died March 16, 1892, aged thirteen years.
Mr. Leavens came to Utica in 1888, October 13. Was raised a farmer boy, and at twenty learned the blacksmith trade, but got very
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
tired pounding hot iron and read law with J. J. Mosnat at Bell Plain and was admitted to the bar of Iowa, December 1883, at Vinton. Was appointed judge of Seward County, March 15. 1902, and elected in No- vember 1902, re-elected 1903. He is a stalwart democrat and belongs to I. O. O. F., M. W. A. Church home is Presbyterians.
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Dr. W. K. Louhriuge's Hospital, Milford
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
DR. WILLIAM K. LOUHRIDGE
A young but successful man in his honored profession. Was born among the rugged and rocky hills at Wilksbarre, Pennsylvania, March 24, 1874. Somehow he found the western trail when but five years old and his first home on Nebraska soil was at Plattsmouth, the place looking most like the old home of any to be found in the west.
Was educated there in the high school. Took a medical course at Cotner university. Then in the Chicago Homeopath College, and at Rush and later at Medico Chirngal at Philadelphia Commenced prac- tice at Pleasant Dale, Nebraska in 1894, but came to Milford and estab- lished the hospital in 1900, where his success is phenominal. Doctor is a 32nd degree Mason. Is an Odd Fellow in high standing. A member of the A. O. U. W., M. W. A., K. O. T. M., Highlanders, Sons and Daughters of Protection and Royal Neighbors, and is the Examining Physician in all these orders. We are not advised what other orders he contemplates joining.
This boy raised in Nebraska is a success anyway. In beautiful Milford he owns a splendid hospital equipped with all modern appli- ances, where the sick may have the best of attention. The building is situated in a well kept park, embowered with shady shrubs and flowers.
CHARLES LEIBROCK
One of the first born boys of "H" precinct. Came to brighten the frontier home of his parents March 7,1870, near the old stone church on section 28 "H" town.
Charley was a child of the wilderness and here among the rolling hills and flowing brooks he has spent his life as a farmer boy and still, makes his home with his widowed mother at the old home to which the family came in 1866 when only two other families lived in all that region, the Grotz family and the Brant family. Charley is a good, faithful boy and is deserving of a good prosperous life and a good wife.
SAMUEL LONG (Deceased. )
Was born April 30, 1811, in Virginia and there remained till grown, when he went to Indiana where he married Miss Permelia Rogers, March 1, 1843. She was born about 1820 in Kentucky. They raised six children, viz : Elinyra E., now dead ; Levina now Mrs. Snow ; Elva S. now, Mrs. William Wait; Simeon A., Loila, now Mrs. F. Gowey and Luena C., now Mrs. I. Neff.
The old people came to Seward County and located on the farm now owned and occupied by the widow about the 10th of June 1863. Mrs. Long is one of the three oldest living residents of the county that were grown when they arrived. The other two are Mrs. W. J. Thomp- son of Beaver Crossing and Job Reynolds of Ruby.
At eighty-four the old lady seems in good health and spirits and yet able to do much housework.
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
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Mrs. Sam'l Long
Samuel Long
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
CHARLES L. LYON
One of the very first to break the sod on the great plain between Seward and where Germantown now stands. Was born in DuPage County, Illinois, May 10, 1846. In his young manhood he caught sight of the bright western star and like the "other wise" men he fol- lowed it and found the goal of his ambition in our goodly land, where he found a homestead on section 12, in "G" town, in February, 1868. He was a lone bachelor and his only neighbors were Daddy Cooper, Cyrus Fetterman, a colony of prairie dogs and plenty of Coyotes.
Charley used to go to the little village of Lincoln occasionally and somehow he caught sight of Miss Sarah Davison and she took a liking to Charley and wanted to have an interest in that homestead. They were married February 6, 1872.
She was born July 12, 1848, in Vermillion County, Illinois. They have four children and have lost three, viz: Grace A., now Mrs. E. H. Koch ; Delbert H., the next died in early infancy, Nellie A., Mabel E., died in February 1894: Chester C., and G. Eva.
Mr. Lyon enlisted in the 17th Illinois cavalry and put in his time chasing bushwhackers in Missouri. He is a member of the Seward G. A. R. Post. The church home is with the Presbyterians. Mr. Lyon owns one of the most beautiful arms in the county. Everything is 1 up-to-date on that farm
JOHN LUSHER
Was born March, 1856, in Boone County, Illinois, and was raised there and married Miss Rosanna Kreighaum in April, 1876, in Living- ston County, Illinois.
She was born in 1858 in Tazwell County, Illinois. They have five children, viz : Julia L .. now Mrs. Parish ; Lewis, Walter, Elmer, and Ros- anna. They settled in "A" precinct in 1880, on a farm.
MARTIN MADSON
One of Denmarks best men, who saw the bright star in the western world in his young manhood in 1867, and located in Wisconsin, but soon again took the trail that led to "K" precinct, and landed on the wild prairie homestead an old bachelor in August. 1879. First in a dugout, then a soddie. In 1877, November 12. the best girl that he had left behind him, came to claim her own Martin, and Miss Carrie Petersen changed her name. She was born in Denmark, August 21, 1846. These good people have three children, viz: Martin, Bertha L., now one of our teachers, and Christeen B.
Mr. Madison was born September 29, 1837. He owns a most beau- tiful home near the village of Goebner. Was one of the first to break the sod in his precinct and knows all about pioneer life. Church home is with the Presbyterians.
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
DR. FRANKLIN A. MARSH
One of Seward County's eminent physicians. Was born at Quincy, Illinois, September 14, 1856, when he commenced his education in the city schools.
Dr. F. A. Marsh's Dwelling
He studied and practiced pharmacy for seven years, and thus pre- pared the way for a more successful course in medicine at the Iowa university, where he graduated in the class of 1889 in the Homeopathy medical department and immediately commenced his professional career at Malvern, Iowa.
Somehow the doctor, before he was vet a doctor, won the heart and hand of Miss Martha Ward of La Prairie, Illinois, and was married December 25. 1877.
She was a native of Arcadia, Illinois, born November 6, 1858. Mrs. Marsh has proven a valuable helpmeet to the doctor in his life work, always ready and willing to lend a helping hand in relieving anyone in distress. She is wonderfully gifted in music and renders the church valuable service.
They have one daughter, Mabel, yet at home. In 1891 they made their home in Seward where the doctor soon took a high rank in the noble profession.
The family church home is with the M. E. people. The doctor is
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a member of the pension board. He belongs to the I. O. O. F., the Modern Woodmen, the A. O. U. W., Royal Highlanders, Degree of Honor and Royal Neighbors and is medical examiner for each of then and also for several old line companies. He is a direct descendant of Captain Ebenezer Marsh of the battle of Lexington, being a great grandson.
CHARLES F. MATZKE
Came to our good land when a yearling and has snuffed the breezes of our prairie about all his life. Was born in the Badger state in Green County, September 13, 1873, and came to Milford in 1874, and when he came to the proper age he captured a Seward County girl, Miss Elorrie Fosler, March 1. 1894, at Seward. She was born at Milford August 19, 1874. They have two children : Stanley A., and Goldie E.
Charles was raised on a farm on section 30, northeast of Milford in "I" precinct. Commenced the mercantile business at Goehner in 1902, and seems to make a success of it. He is now the postmaster there. Is a member of K. O. T. M. Church home is with the Evangelical Association.
JOHN MAUER
Was born in Alsace, France, and his parents came to Iowa when he was a lad of six years. John was born March 13, 1846. Was raised . in Davis County, Iowa. John lived a bachelor until thirty-two when he married Miss Leah Bender, January 29, 1878, in Henry County, Iowa.
She was born in Ontario, Oxford County. April 27, 1864. They have four children, viz: Amanda D., Elmer, Emma and Edward J.
Mr. Mauer came to the present home on section 11, "N" town in 1892. Mrs. Mauer died at the family home June 5, 1901.
Mr. Mauer is a first class farmer. Church home is with the Amish people
CHRIS MAYLAND
One of the bright boys born on the frontier that started out in life with a purpose to accomplish something. Was born on the father's homestead on Lincoln Creek December 22, 1870, and was one of the first white children born in "F" precinct. Educated in the common frontier schools. Married October 14, 1902, to a Seward born girl, Miss Licettic B. Kroger. She was born Feb. 20, 1881, and educated in the schools of Seward Mr. Mayland commenced in the stock trade at twenty-three and has stuck to the text until today he ranks with the best stockmen of the county. Owns a splenid farm only a mile out of the city. Full of energy and business.
HENRY MAYLAND
A Seward County boy. Was one of the first born boys of "H" pre- cinct. April 5, 1873, Henry came to light and life. He has grown up
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among us and served his time as a farmer boy. February 26, 1897, was married to Miss Annie Imig at Seward, . She was born at Mineer, Illinois, January 1, 1877, and came to Seward County in her early child- hood. They have one child, Alma. The young people now live in "J" precinct. The church home is with the Lutherans.
REV. WALTER D. MORGAN
Is truly a child of the frontier and if his birth had been postponed a little over two years we might have claimed him as a Seward County boy. Was born in Otoe County, January 27, 1858, and his father, mother and grandparents came to Blue river just near where Ruby station now stands, in the spring of 1861, where his younger sister, Ellen, the first white child of the county, was born the same year.
Walter grew to manhood in this wilderness and was nearly grown before the cars reached Seward. With very meager opportunities for an education yet he was of good mettle, and determined to make a man of himself, anl he did. June 27, 1882, he married a lady who came from Augusta, Maine, Miss Rebecca Perkins. She was born April 2. 1863, and came to Nebraska twenty-eight years ago. There have been born to them : Bertha, now Mrs. S. B. Cox; Ethel, Firman V., Grace I., and Leroy.
Mr. Morgan studied for the ministry and commenced preaching in 1892 and is a very successful and eloquent preacher. At present pastor of the United Brethren church and also preacher at the soldiers' home and at the industrial home.
This is another fine instance of what the children of the wilderness can do where there is a determined will. With scarcely any opportun- ity for mental training or classic education he stands erect as a valu- able teacher of the people, loved and honored by his church and the community.
THOMAS MORTON
Was born in the Badger state in Green County, January 10, 1867, and came to Seward County in early childhood and helped his father, Mr. Frank Morton, open a farm upon south east of Seward in "J" precinct. Thomas married Miss Emma Scheerer July 19, 1892, at Seward.
She was born February 15, 1871, in Illinois. They have five child- ren, viz : Clee R., Abraham J., Herchell B., Gladys I., and Barbara F.
Mr. Mortin lives in Seward and is an employee of the city at this time. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. The Morton family came to the county in 1873.
JOHN W. MCCAULEY
One of the first settlers of "M" town. Was born in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, in 1835. His parents moved to Ohio in 1832,
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but the old folks were not satisfied and as the new state of Iowa was waiting to welcome people in 1851, they came west where Mr. Mc- Cauley remained till a new attack of western fever landed him in Seward County in 1869.
Was married to Miss E. Huffman in Clark County, Ohio, where she was born April 30, 1829. They were the parents of twelve children, viz : Harvey W., Mary C., now dead, was the wife of D. F. Haney ; Florence A., now Mrs. N. A. Wilsie; Sheldon B., David S .. Fred N., Elmer E., Roy R., Porter W., Guy S., and Anna M.
Mrs. McCauley died October 27, 1898. She was a member of the Evangelical church. Mr. McCauley has retired from farm work on ac- count of advanced age. Was a soldier in the Mexican war under Gen- eral Scott. Was wounded in both legs at Cerogordo but no bones were broken. Received his discharge at the city of Mexico. He saw the battles at the city gates and the surrender of the city, also saw the battle of Chepultapec, but could not participate. Although disabled, he stood for the draft in Iowa for the war of the rebellion. When Mr. McCauley came to Beaver Crossing and took his homestead there were only a very few settlers. He remembers Chris Clark, Phillip Michael and Isaiah Michael, Daniel Millspaugh, John Osborne and Ross Nichols who came at about the same time. These were settlers in "M" pre- cinct. These people suffered many hardships in the pioneer days.
JOHN H. MERRILL
An English born boy with many experiences. The parents came to Painesville, Ohio, when John was six months old, but they took a notion to try Canada. They soon took the backward track and made a permanent home in Ohio. John was born in Cheshire, England, July 27, 1854. He married Miss Catherine Shields, June 22, 1874. She was born in County Gray, Ontario, February 29. 1855. There were horn to them two boys, Wilber and Edgar.
Mrs. Merrill died, date unknown. September 14, 1886, Mr. Merrill married Miss Lucy A. Caruthers. She was born at Tecumseh, Canada, November 19, 1863. Three children were born to them. viz : Ethel, Hazel and Lucy. Mrs Merrill died December 6, 1894 at Pleasant Dale.
January 22, 1896 Mr. Merrill married his wife's sister, Miss Belle Caruthers, also a native of Ontario, horn October 22, 1865.
To this union were born two children, Arthur and Wiston. The family came to Pleasant Dale in February 1880 and located in "P" precinct. He owned part of the land on which the village is built, and which he platted as a town site, and from that day to this he has with might and main struggled to help his town to the front. He now owns and is president of the bank and is proprietor of a large hardware and implement house. Is one of Nebraska's builders and a valuable business man and citizen. The family church home is with the M. E. church. He is a leading member of the time honored A. F. and A. M. and also of the Modern Woodmen and a member of the school board. They say he keeps his end up in all public enterprises.
HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
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Mrs. Geo. C. Mckay
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Geo. C. Mckay
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HISTORY OF SEWARD COUNTY, NEBRASKA
GEORGE C. MCKAY
The founder of Staplehurst and one among the first that broke the sod on the great prairie in "C" precinct. Was born among the rocky hills of York state September 14, 1807, and there remained during his boyhood. In 1839, July 13. Mr. Mckay married Miss Melissa Knapp at Charleston, Ohio. Two children were born to them, viz: Manning and Mrs. Wadsworth. Mrs. McKay died some years later. Mr. Mckay was married the second time in 1845 to Mrs. Rachel Hathaway in Ohio. She was born October 23, 1810, in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. They had four children, viz: Mrs. A. A. Weaver, D. C. Mckay, Homer M. and Albert A.
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