Biographical and historical memoirs of Muskingum County, Ohio. Embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the county and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy families and individuals, Part 102

Author:
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 642


USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Muskingum County, Ohio. Embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the county and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy families and individuals > Part 102


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543


HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.


pastor of the S. R. church at Cannonsburg, Penn., Ohio, November 3, 1820, and, like many of when he remained until 1855. He then received the old pioneers, received his education in the a call and acted as pastor at Mansfield, Ohio, from log schoolhouse, with split logs for seats, and April, 1857, until 1865. He was president of Mus- greased paper for window glass. He being kingum college from the last date until June, 1879. the eldest child at home, much of the hard work During that time he was pastor of Norwich church and responsibility of taking care of a large family from August 19, 1869, until January, 1872, and at fell upon his shoulders. He remained at home East Union from 1872 until 1876. On September until twenty-two years of age, and on the 17th of 19, 1876, he was installed pastor of the church at November, 1842, he was united in marriage to Miss New Concord, and since his resignation of the Rachel Thomas, a native of Loudoun county, presidency of Muskingum college has given his Va., born December 6, 1819. Mrs. Pletcher came entire attention to church work. He is greatly to Morgan county, Ohio, with her parents, who lo- interested in religious and educational matters, and cated on the farm now owned by Mr. Pletcher. has probably done more to further the interests of After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Pletcher rented land the same in Muskingum county than any other in different parts of Morgan county, but later they man. He is a man of superior natural mental bought sixty acres in Brush Creek township, on endowments, is eminently capable of filling any which he resided for nine years. Then selling out position, and is an intelligent and devoted Christian. he bought his present property, consisting of 144 In politics he is a republican. Mr. Paul was mar- acres, and is now classed among the thrifty and ried October 11, 1853, to Miss Sarah J. Russell, a industrious men of the county. He has, at differ- native of Washington county, Penn. She was the ent times, held a number of the township offices daughter of Reuben and Mary (Harper) Russell, and filled them in a very satisfactory manner. Po- born in 1834. She was the eldest of eight children litically he was formerly an old line whig, and to this -seven daughters and a son. Mr. and Mrs. Paul's day he supports its principles by voting the repub- union was blessed by the birth of seven children: lican ticket. He was at one time a member of the Mary A. (died at the age of sixteen years), Ella Lutheran, but of late years he has held membership (the wife of W. R. Harper of the Chicago univer- in the United Brethren church of Morgan county. sity), Lizzie J. (died when but one year old), During the war he did not serve but was held as a William W. (a traveling man), Anna L. (died at reserve by the government. His eldest son, Will- the age of one year), Blanche R. (also died when iam, was out in the 100 days' service. His children, about a year old), and Jessie L. (at home, attending eight in number, were named in the order of their school). Mr. Paul lost his devoted wife April 30, births as follows: William W., Mary E., Hiram A. 1891.


+


Susanna C., Levia L., John A., Phœbe A. and


Mrs.


Among the highly respected and much es- Sarah J. Mary and Sarah are deceased. teemed citizens of the community in which he lives Pletcher died on the 15th of Feburary, 1884.


is Andrew Pletcher, farmer, Deavertown, Ohio, a native of Morgan county, born November Henry Pletcher Sr., was the founder of the Pletcher family in the state of Ohio. He was prob- 3, 1820. He is the son of Samuel Pletcher ably born, reared and married in Loudoun county, and the grandson of Henry Pletcher. The former Va., from which place he came to this state, was born in Loudoun county, Va., and when settling in York township, Morgan county, at which when about twenty-one years of age he came with time his family consisted of the following children : his father to Ohio, driving a six horse team all the John, Samuel, Henry, Solomon, Jacob, Susannah way from his native state. They settled in York (wife of William Swingle and in her ninetieth year,) township, Morgan county, where the father tilled Mary (wife of Andrew Spring), Catherine. (wife of the soil for many years. Samuel P. was educated in John Weller). Elizabeth, (wife of Michael Stone- the German language in Virginia, and when twenty- burner), Sarah (wife of John Good). Mr. Pletcher two years of age he married Miss Anna M. Smith, was in affluent circumstances when he came to who was a native of the Keystone state, but who Ohio, having brought with him in cash $15,000, came to Morgan Ohio, with her parents a number which was considered a fine fortune in those days. of years previous to her marriage. Mr. Pletcher's After selling his land in Virginia for $100 per acre, father gave him 160 acres of land in Morgan county he, upon his arrival in Ohio, purchased 160 acres after his marriage, and on this he resided until his of land for each of his ten children. every one of death, on the 26th of February, 1882, when eighty- whom settled on the tract given them and lived on seven years of age. His wife died June 29, 1877, the same during their lives. They reared families at the age of seventy-seven years. Both were and were honored and respected wherever known. members of the Lutheran church and able sup- Mr. Pletcher died in the state of his adoption, af- porters of the same. Andrew Pletcher, sub- ter a life filled with kind and charitable deeds. ject of this sketch, was born in Morgan county, Houry Jr., his son, was born in Loudonn county,


544


HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.


Va, in 1804 and at the time of his arrival in the wife of Peter Bailey. All these children ac- Ohio, was fourteen years of age. In his native companied their father to Muskingum county, state he learned to read and write the German Ohio. He married his second wife in Pennsylvania language and after coming to Ohio he attended also, her name being Eva Catherine Leffler, a school and acquired a practical education in the daughter of Adam Leffler. Three children were English language. He was married to Jane, daugh- born to this union prior to their coming to this ter of Nicholas Deitrick, and to their union the fol- state: Adam, Frederick and John. Mr. Stam- lowing children were born: Sarah, wife of Isaac brook settled on 160 acres of wild land, heavily Cohagan (deceased), Susannah (deceased), Will- covered with timber, the same farm on which Fran- iam, Henry, Nicholas, Noah, Mary J. (widow of cis Swingle now lives, and while a cabin was being Harrison Turner), Hiram and George. On their constructed, the family lived in wagons, in which farm in Morgan county, Ohio, Mr. and Mrs. they had come to this region, and their sleep was Pletcher lived and died, the former departing his often disturbed by prowling animals which infested life February 4, 1884 and the latter August 17, the forest, or by the scream of a panther or the 1870, at the age of seventy-six years. Both were howl of a wolf. After reaching this state six members of the Lutheran church and lived in strict children were born to Mr. Stambrook and his sec- Christian conformity to the requirements of their ond wife: Mattie, who became the wife of Mat- religious faith. Mrs. Pletcher was noted far and thias Smith (deceased); Margaret is the widow of wide for her kindness in sickness and affliction and Peter Leffler; Solomon is deceased; Philip resides always gladly responded to the calls of those in in Morgan county; Sarah Ann is the wife of Will- distress. Through exposure from such labors she iam Pletcher of Brush creek, and James, who re- injured her health, which was the indirect cause of sides in Kansas. On the land on which they first her death. Mr. Pletcher was always an earnest settled, Mr. and Mrs. Stambrook lived out their worker in the church and was one of its prominent natural lives, . having enjoyed much prosperity. official members, never shirking a duty when work Mr. Stambrook held some minor offices and he and was imposed, but cheerfully performing every task his wife were members of the Lutheran church and assigned. William Pletcher, his son, was born in took an active interest in all religious and moral York township, Morgan county, Ohio, October 13, works. He was an exemplary man in every respect 1831, was reared on the home farm and obtained a and was a true type of the useful pioneer settler. fair education in the old time subscription schools. Politically he was a democrat.


He remained with his father until he attained his


Samuel R. Porter, farmer, Hopewell, Ohio, majority and on December 25, 1851. he was mar- whose success in life is mainly due to his industry ried to Miss Sarah Ann Stambrook, after which for one year, he lived on his father's homestead. He and perseverance, coupled with a pleasant, genial disposition, is a native of Hopewell township,


then rented the Stambrook farm for three years, Muskingum county, Ohio, born May 31, 1820. His after which he purchased a part of his present paternal grandfather, William Porter, was a native farm, which at the present time consists of 200 of the Emerald Isle, born October 20, 1753; acres. This land was quite heavily covered with landed in America August 24, 1773; was married timber, but he cleared it and erected thereon a January 31, 1775, and died April 17, 1821, in Erie commodious residence, 40x40 feet, which was un- county, Penn. His maternal grandfather, John fortunately destroyed by fire on June 17, 1888. Richey, was born in York county, Penn., July 8, On its site Mr. Pletcher has erected his present 1755. Mary Welch, John Richey's wife was born in well-appointed residence. He and his wife have the same state and county, May 23, 1760, and died six children born to them: James H., Winfield January 6, 1835, both dying in Muskingum county, S., Mary J. (wife of Jesse T. Baughman), Alice Ohio. Their family consisted of ten sons and four (wife of Albert Dozer), Elzina, Clara Elwilda. He daughters, one of the daughters, Mrs. Jennett and his wife have long been connected with the Null is still living in Muskingum county at the Lutheran church, in which he has held official po- age of ninety-five years. They had 120 grandchil- sition. Henry Stambrook, his father-in-law, was dren. William Porter Jr., came to Muskingum born in Pennsylvania, in which state his grand- county, Ohio, February, 1814, and located on what father settled on landing on the shores of this is now the Porter homestead, which still remains country, being afterward killed by the Indians. in the family, being owned by Joseph Porter. He Henry Stambrook was married twice; his first wife was married to Miss Mary in 1806, eight years bore him eight children, their names being: Abra- prior to their removal to Ohio. He followed agri- ham, Polly. wife of Philip Leffler, and the follow- cultural pursuits until his death, which occurred on ing who are deceased: Jacob, Peter, Henry, Susan, June 17, 1833, his wife having died on the 14th of who became the wife of Archie Mann, Katie, who same month, preceding him to the spirit land by married Samuel Leffler, and Elizabeth, who became three days and nine hours. Their family consisted


545


HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.


of thirteen children, twelve of whom reached ma- are engaged in the manufacture of woolen goods ture years, and eight of whom are now living. and are doing an exceedingly prosperous business. Samuel R., Joseph, and Mrs. Esther Starkey, of He was born in the present county of Noble (then · Hopewell, Muskingum county, Ohio, Mrs. Mary Monroe), Ohio, April 7, 1846, being a son of L. Colvin of Indianapolis, Mrs. Margaret Landes of A. and Mary (Shankland) Prettyman; the former Streator, Ill., Mrs. DeWoolf of Franklin county, of whom was born in Delaware in 1817 and died Mrs. Dr. Spencer of Newark, Ohio, and Solomon in Noble county, Ohio, in 1883. He was an honest S., of Bloomington, Ill. Samuel R. Porter, the "son of the soil " and was one of the substantial and subject of this sketch, spent his early life on his progressive residents of the section in which he re- father's farm in Hopewell township and attended sided. His widow was born in Ohio in 1826, and at school at very irregular intervals, most of his study- the present time makes her home in Dresden. J. S. ing was done while at work, and he thus received Prettyman is their only child and on his father's a very good practical education. When nineteen farm in Noble county he was brought up to a knowl- years of age he began teaching school and con- edge of agriculture. He was an attendant of the com- tinued to teach for about fifteen years, both in mon schools near his home in boyhood, and in 1867 Muskingum and Licking counties. On October 2, began life for himself as a clerk in a store, contin- 1858, he was examined as a candidate, both for uing until 1870. He then went to West Virginia, deacon's and elder's orders, was ordained on the and in connection with a Mr. Penn opened a mer- following day, was then admitted into the annual cantile establishment in that state, under the firm conference of the Methodist church, and stationed name of Penn & Prettyman. He remained at in Portsmouth, Ohio. He has filled a number of Cameron, W. Va., for two years, at the end of appointments and still loves to preach, which he which time he returned to Noble county, Ohio, often does when his health will permit. In 1844 he and still continued the mercantile business, pur- purchased his first piece of land, being a lot of chasing his partner's interest in 1876, after which fifty acres, but instead of moving to it he sold it he conducted affairs on his own responsibility un- and bought and removed to a farm in Licking til 1883. In November, 1887, he moved to Cald- county. He bought and sold not less than ten well, Ohio, and in January, 1888, began the man- separate pieces of land before purchasing the home ufacture of woolen goods, but the destruction of on which he now resides, a part of which was the mill by fire, January 12, 1889, put an end to bought in 1868, and the remainder in 1872. The the business for some time. On February 2 he farm consists of about 220 acres, with 175 acres went East to purchase new machinery for the mill under cultivation, about 100 acres of which is at Dresden, after having contracted to locate here underlaid with a fine vein of coal which in places on the first of that month. The mill was put in is six feet in thickness. Mr. Porter's son operates operation, April 15, 1889, and has been in active the mine. The coal is mostly used in the vicinity, operation ever since. It is well managed and the there being no railroad near. Mr. Porter has been product which is turned out has become well three times married, first to Miss Sarah Griffith, known for its excellence. Politically Mr. Pretty- June 6, 1844, a daughter of Daniel and Sarah man is a stanch republican and socially is a mem- Griffith, natives of Maryland; Mrs. Porter died in ber of the I. O. O. F. He belongs to the G. A. 1848, leaving one daughter, now Mrs. Edith Bell, R., having served in Company C, One Hundred living in Licking county. In 1852 Mr. Porter mar- and Sixty-first Volunteer infantry in the 100 ried Miss Emily M. Griffith, a sister of his former days' service. He is a member of the Methodist wife, who died in 1857, leaving two children, Ella Episcopal church. He has been married twice, and Charles Fremont, both living in Hopewell first, November 14, 1872, to Miss M. A. Penn, township. On December 29, 1875, Mr. Porter who died April 29, 1881, leaving two children: married Miss Rachel Henry, daughter of William Frank L. and W. P. (who has since died). His and Eunice (Carpenter) Henry, a distant relative second marriage was celebrated in 1885, Miss E. of Patrick Henry. To this union were born three E. Philpot, of Cedar Falls, Iowa, becoming his children, Jennie Florence, Emma Delia and one wife.


who died in infancy. He is always interested in educational matters. In politics he was an old was born in Rich Hill township, this county, and is line whig, but is now a republican. He has great a lady of more than ordinary culture and intelli- veneration for the Scriptures, which he reads and gence. Dr. Pringle was also a native of Muskin- studies by day and by night and talks of first and gum county, and was a prominent physician in the last, in public and private circles they are always same until his death. His Grandfather Pringle, uppermost with him. was born in London, England, but when a young


Mrs. Jane Pringle, relict of Dr. G. W. Pringle,


J. S. Prettyman is the senior member of the man went to Ireland and was married there to firm of Prettyman & Bush, of Dresden, Ohio, who Miss Elizabeth Whitside. After the first child


546


HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.


was born they crossed the ocean to America, and and Isabel (Moore) Drennan. Mrs. Pringle's father here the remainder of their children were born: and mother were born in the year 1793, and they John, William, Henry, Nancy, Sally and Betsy. were married in 1817. In 1818 they moved to Henry Pringle was the Doctor's father, and his Ohio, settled on a farm in Rich Hill township, where birth occurred on the 13th of June, 1770. He died they reared the following children: John, died of consumption on the 1st of November, 1823, when twenty-six years of age; James, died when aged fifty-three years. A strict member of the thirty-six years of age. The remainder are living: Baptist church, he was the first to establish the Thomas D., Jane F., Violet P., James, Martha D., same in Muskingum county. He married Miss Clarissa and Sarah D. Violet is Mrs. Thompson Mary Trumbo, who was born June 4, 1770, and Patterson, of Guernsey county. Martha is Mrs. who died January 10, 1856, when eighty-six years John Morehead. Clarissa is Mrs. George Miller. of age. Her grandfather came with a French colony Sarah D. married Moses L. Cherry, of Georgia. and settled in Hudson bay when George Trumbo, Mrs. Pringle received her education in the district her father, was quite small. From there he moved schools and later became one of the prominent to Richmond, Va., and there George grew to man- teachers of the county, teaching for six years in hood, married a German girl, Miss Margaret Oatts, Dresden. She has ever taken an interest in the and became the father of thirteen children-ten educational affairs of the county as well as all sons and three daughters, Mary, wife of Henry other enterprises of a worthy nature, and has been Pringle, being the eldest of this family. To Henry a church member since nineteen years of age, hold- Pringle and wife were born ten children: Peggy, ing membership in the Presbyterian church at the Elizabeth, Mary, William, Melenda, Penina, Jede- present time. Her husband was also a member of dah and Adaiah (twins), George W. and John, all that church.


deceased. Dr. George W. Pringle's first wife was Thomas D. Cooper, retired farmer, residing at Miss Margaret Wilson, and their nuptials were New Concord, Ohio, was born in Rich Hill town- celebrated September 7, 1843. She was born July ship, Muskingum county, Ohio, on May 27, 13, 1823, and was the daughter of Samuel and 1821, and is one of the esteemed citizens of that Margaret (Espy) Wilson. Samuel Wilson was the county.


He is a son of Judge William and son of William Wilson and was one of nine chil- Priscilla (Drennan) Cooper, the former a native of dren. To his marriage were born ten children: Westmoreland county, Penn., born in 1792, and William, Thomas, Mary, John, James, Samuel, the son of John Cooper who was of German Robert, Benjamin, Ann and Margaret. Samuel descent. Judge William Cooper was reared in his Wilson's second marriage was to Miss Hettie Higby native county and received a liberal education for and nine children were born to them: Margaret, that early day. He was married in his native Elizabeth, Hettie, Mary A., Louisa, Samuel, Jo- state and came to this county, where he located seph, Obediah and Narcissa. To Dr. Pringle's first and resided fifty years, on the same farm. His union were born six children: Henry C., Mary T., death occurred in January, 1867. He represented Hettie H., Samuel W., William W. and Margaret Muskingum county in the legislature in 1832-33 L. Margaret, Henry and William are deceased. and for twenty-one years was justice of the peace Henry was a minister in the Presbyterian church, for Rich Hall township. For six years he was also and in 1872 he married Miss Ella Clark, who bore probate judge of Muskingum county. He was a him two children. He died in 1885. Mary mar- prominent man in politics, and cast his vote with ried George L. Holliday, September 7, 1870, and the democratic party. His marriage resulted in now resides in Pittsburg. Hettie was married on the birth of eight children: John L., who died in the 22d of January, 1870, to Rev. McConkey, of 1845; Thomas D., (subject); Jane, wife of the late Grove City. Samuel is a minister of the Presby- Dr. G. W. Pringle; Violet P., wife of Thompson terian church at Mount Pleasant, Jefferson county, Patterson of Guernsey county; Martha married Ohio. William, a prominent M.D., died in 1881, John Morehead; Clarissa, is Mrs. George Miller, and Margaret married W. R. Hutchinson, on the and Sarah D., married Moses L. Cherry of Rome, 22d of January, 1887, and died in Broken Bow, Ga. The mother of these children died about Neb., in 1891. Dr. Pringle's first wife died in 1855. Thomas D. Cooper spent his early life on 1870, and the Doctor received his final summons a farm in Rich Hill township and made his home six years later. On the 15th of January, 1872, he with his father until after the Civil war. He sup- married Miss Jane Cooper, a native of Rich Hill plemented a district school education by a term at township, born in 1823, and the daughter of Will- Muskingum college. In the fall of 1863 he iam and Priscilla (Drennan) Cooper, natives of Al- enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Twenty- legheny county, Penn. William Cooper was the son Second Ohio Volunteer infantry, under Col. Ball of of John Cooper, and he was married in his native Zanesville, and saw thirty-two months' service. county to Miss Drennan, a daughter of Thomas One of the principal battles in which he engaged


547


HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.


was the Wilderness, where he received a gun shot Ohio, by the court of common pleas and probate, on wound in the leg below the knee, and was on December 23, 1803. Some time after his death detached duty the rest of the time. He.saw much the family moved to the farm now occupied by hard service, and since the war has been obliged to Charles Riley, in Muskingum township. The land abandon farming on account of his wound which was entered by Barbara Prior in 1813. George troubles him a great deal. He receives a pension. Prior, son of Timothy and the father of our subject, Returning home after the war he married Mrs. was born December 23, 1785. The other children Mary E. Van Pelt of Washington city, born about were born as follows: John, October 21, 1783; 1829, and the daughter of James Moore, who Frederick, born October 19, 1787; Catharine, born resided near Zanesville. He followed farming up May 15, 1794; Joseph, October 17, 1796; Mary, to 1873, and since then he has been a resident of born September 4, 1799, and Barbara, born Febru- the different towns of the county. He is a demo- ary 8, 1803. George Prior had little education, crat and is interested in politics. He and Mrs. could read and write, but he was a natural mathe- Cooper are members of the Presbyterian church of matician and could solve the most intricate prob- Zanesville, and are classed among the best citizens lems mentally. He was a noted hunter, killed of the county. many a deer, and had many encounters with black


Alexander Prior, Nashport, Ohio. Among the bear, with which the country abounded. He was very early settlers of Muskingum county, Ohio, an excellent marksman. He married Miss Rachel came Timothy Prior, who was a native of Green Wood of a Virginia family, and a native of Pendle- county, Penn., born January 8, 1761, and of Welsh ton county. She was of English descent. Mr. descent. He was married November 5, 1782, to and Mrs. George Prior's marriage resulted in the Miss Barbara Harter, who was born March 17, birth of five children: Isaac W., William H., 1759, and who was of German descent, and the George W., Alexander and Louisa. Shortly after fruits of this union were seven children: John, his marriage Mr. Prior settled on the farm now George, Frederick, Joseph, Catharine, Barbara and occupied by his grandson, Lewis C., and there he Mary. Mr. Prior was one of the pioneer settlers resided the remainder of his days, his death occur- and experienced all the privations incident to ring at the age of seventy-eight years. In politics early settlers. The family brought their goods on he was a stanch democrat. He was trustee of the horseback and some members of the family walked, Baptist church, in which he and wife both held driving hogs, horses and cattle through the snow membership. He accumulated considerable prop- in the winter of 1799. They settled on the Mus- erty and left at his death 300 acres. His son, kingum river, Muskingum county, near Ellis sta- Alexander Prior, subject of this memoir, was born tion on the C. & M. V. R. R., on land now owned January 3, 1821, and on account of being obliged by heirs of Elias Ellis, and at a time when there to assist on the farm as soon as large enough. were very few settlers, the Blounts, Bainters and received but a limited education. On November Spurgeons being their neighbors. The entire 22, 1842, he married Miss Elizabeth Cole, daugh- county was a wilderness, and wild animals of all ter of Samuel and Rachel (Welsh) Cole. Mr. Cole kinds abounded. Mr. Prior built a log cabin was originally from Pennsylvania, was an old with a pole roof, covered with clapboards split pioneer, and the father of nineteen children, all of split from logs, and the floor was of split logs whom lived, and seventeen of whom grew to ma- called "puncheon." The windows were sometimes turity and married: James, Moses, Aaron, Mar- covered with a kind of greased paper when the garet, George, Nancy, Jane, Rachel, Andrew, frontiersman was fortunate enough to have paper. Sarah, Elizabeth, Mary A., Harmon, Benjamin, Mr. Prior, assisted by his sons, cleared a piece of John, Hannah and Jemima. Samuel Cole lived to land and went to farming. Here he passed the be seventy-five years of age and died on his farm remainder of his days. He died about 1802. He was in Muskingum county. He left a fine estate. He a member of the Baptist church, and in politics was a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. was strictly democratic. He received a letter of and Mrs. Alexander Prior settled on part of the dismission from the Church of Christ of that home place and there resided until 1887. He ill- county, which states that "Inasmuch as our es- herited 120 acres, to which he added from time to teemcd brother, Timothy Pryor, is in Providence time until he owned 368 acres, and he now resides about removing to some distant parts, desires a on a part of this. His marriage was blessed by letter of dismission from us. This is to certify the birth of five children: Rachel, George W., that he is a member in full communion with us," Lewis C., Allen and Howard. Mr. Prior lost his etc. This letter is dated May 24, 1800, and signed wife on May 16, 1854, and September 14, 1SS1, "Thomas Wright, clk." Letters of administra- he married Miss Ruth M. Simpson, daughter of tion on the estate of Timothy Pryor were granted George and Ruth (Wood) Simpson. Mr. Simpson to Isaac Prior, of Newtown, Washington county, came from Bucks county, Penn., in 1817, and set-




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