USA > Ohio > Lake County > History of Geauga and Lake Counties, Ohio > Part 98
USA > Ohio > Geauga County > History of Geauga and Lake Counties, Ohio > Part 98
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On the captain's farm lived the first white man who died in Mentor. His name was Phelps, and he was buried a short distance to the southeast of Mr. Burridge's residence.
Mr. Burridge lacks nothing to make life pleasant. His it is to enjoy a beautiful home, living in the midst of those who are devoted to him, and to whom he is as strongly attached. Loved by his family, esteemed by his neighbors, abundantly blessed with landed possessions, with pleasant recollections of the past and bright anticipations of the future, life for him is indeed as a beautiful stream, whose waters, with a deep, strong current, flow peacefully on towards the vast and boundless ocean.
JAMES LAPHAM.
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TENANT HOUSE.
LITH. BY L. H. EVERTS, PHILA, PA.
"HOME FARM". RESIDENCE OF GEO. A.BAKER, WILLOUGHBY TE, LAKE CO. O.
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WILLOUGHBY TOWNSHIP.
THIS township, which is number nine of the first range, was at the drawing of the Connecticut Land Company, disposed of by tracts. The first title we find applied to it was that of Charlton. This was, however, changed to Chagrin prior to the organization of the township, and was known by that name until 1834, when it was given its present title in honor of Prof. Willoughby, of Herkimer county, New York.
The southern portion of the township is hilly, and the soil clay principally; from the centre to the lake there is a gradual descent; level in its features, with a Bandy soil predominant. The Chagrin river is the only stream of water in the township of any importance. The east branch of the stream has its rise in Chardon, Geauga County, and taking a westerly direction, crosses the east line of Willoughby a short distance south of the centre, and thence northeasterly, reaching the lake perhaps two miles west of the Mentor line. The west branch flows from a small body of water known as Munson pond, or Bass lake. Southwest, entering Cuya- hoga county at the village of Chagrin Falls; thence north, entering Willoughby on the south a short distance from Kirtland line. From here the course is north- erly, making many devious turnings, forming a junction with the east branch per- haps one-fourth of a mile from the township line. Upon this stream are two im- proved mill privileges. Other smaller streams are tributary, but are unimportant.
SETTLEMENT.
David Abbott, of Brookfield, Massachusetts, was the first permanent white settler in the township. From Howe's " Historical Collections" we learn that he was educated at Yale College, came to Ohio and located in Willoughby in the year 1798. Prior to this, however, he read law ; Wus sheriff of Trumbull county when the entire " Reserve" was embraced within its limits; was a member of the con- vention for the formation of the constitution of the State, prior to its admission in 1802, and a presidential elector in 1812. In 1800, as sheriff of Trumbull county, Mr. Abbott presided at the first election held on the Reserve. The election was held to select some one to represent Trumbull county in the Territorial legislature. There were forty-two votes cast, of which number General Edward Paine received thirty-eight, and was declared elected.
William Jones came from Middlesex county, Connecticut, and made his location in Willoughby in about the year 1817. Mr. Jones died in 1827. His widow still survives, and occupies the old homestead. She is now ninety years of age.
In 1809, Noah Worden came to the township from New York, and located where his sons, Joseph and James, reside. Worden died about the year 1863. Of his seven children four survive. Holly resides in Wisconsin, Joseph and James on the homestead, and Rachel (now the wife of Dr. J. W. Hamilton) in Columbus. Dr. Hamilton occupies one of the professorships in the medical col- lege there.
Among the early settlers of Willoughby who made their location on what was then called the Genesee ridge we have been able to obtain the following names : Charles Worallo, Joseph Waldo, Lewis Miller (who afterwards moved to Paines- ville and there died), Elisha Abbott, Orman Butler, Luke Covert, Titus Freer, Abel Nash, Josiah Grant, Hezekiah Ferguson, John L. Ferguson, Thomas Fer- guson, Silas Parker, and Peter Keezler.
Nicholas Cottrell settled on this ridge in October, 1823. He was a native of Worthington, Hampshire county, Massachusetts, and was born August 17, 1766. Pending a proposition from the agent of the Connecticut Land Company to ex- change certain lands on the Reserve for their Massachusetts farmns, he and Azariah Lyman came into the then western wilderness on a tour of observation, walking the entire distance, except from Buffalo to Dunkirk, New York. Liking the country, they returned to their native State and made an exchange, Cottrell receiv- ing some eleven hundred acres and a sum of money for his farm of one hundred acres in Massachusetts. His western lands lay in Willoughby and Warrensville, Cuyahoga county ; Chester, Geauga County ; and Northampton, Portage county. The exchange of property took place in June, 1823, and in the fall of that year he settled in Willoughby, as stated. He married Nabby Warner, and became the father of a family of eight children, four of whom are living, M. W., in Chester (see Chester) ; Addison and Eunice (now Mrs. Charles Curtis), reside in Vassar, Tuscola county, Michigan ; and Norman, in Mason City, Mason county, Illinois.
Holly Tanner removed from New York State in the fall of 1800, locating in
this township up the river from the village, on the farm now owned by E. S. Bownell. His family at that time consisted of a wife and three children. James, the third child, is the only surviving member of this family, and is living in the township of Kirtland.
In 1802, Charles Parker, a surveyor, became a resident of the township. The two subsequent years we find, as settlers, the names of John Miller, Christopher Colson, and James Lewis. After these came Joseph and Thomas Card, Peter French, Jacob West, Elisha Graham, Ebenezer Smith, Samuel Wilson, Rufus Sharp, Richard Woolsey, Ellsworth Judd, Hiram Brown, and Simeon Hall.
In the year 1796, Charles Parker, who was then in the employ of the Con- necticut Land Company as surveyor, erected a house at the mouth of the river, and a number of huts for the use of the company. This house was the first erected in the township, and also the first in the county.
We have experienced much difficulty in obtaining the data requisite to a com- plete list of the pioneers, although we have used our best endeavors.
CHURCHES.
Without doubt the first church organized within the limits of Willoughby township was of the Methodist denomination. This class was formed in 1816, by the Rev. Ira Eddy. Among the first members we find the Rev. Henry Woolsey and wife, Benjamin and Richard Woolsey, and their respective wives. A class was also formed on the ridge in the fall of 1821, consisting of seventeen mem- bers. This church is still in active operation, the pulpit being supplied by the pastor of the village church. In 1822 we find the village class largely augmented in numbers. Rev. Elijah Ward, who will be remembered as a man who, although somewhat eccentric, yet was a forcible speaker and a very successful minister, became a member of this class this year. In 1834 this society erected a church, the first on the site now occupied by their present elegant brick one. Work was begun on this church in April, 1874, and under the efficient management of Messrs. G. W. Clement, J. H. Boyce, J. W. Penfield, and T. H. Burr, as a build- ing committee, the work was pushed vigorously forward to completion. October 17, 1874, the church was dedicated by the Rev. Dr. McCabe, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It is of brick, forty by seventy-five feet square, surmounted by a spire towering one hundred and twenty-five feet heavenward. Inside, the church is elegantly finished and furnished throughout. The fine organ is from the manu- factory of Messrs. Steer & Turner, of Westfield, Massachusetts; cost eighteen hundred dollars. The church is lighted by gas, and warmed by furnaces. Esti- mated cost of church entire, eighteen thousand dollars. Trustees, G. W. Clement, J. H. Boyce, J. W. Penfield, T. H. Burr, W. H. Brown, S. H. Miner, E. M. Wing, Hiram Brown, and N. C. Smith. Present pastor, Ezra Hingeley. Mem- bership, one hundred and twenty; average attendance at Sabbath-school, one hundred ; superintendent, T. H. Burr.
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The organization of this society was effected on the 15th day of April, in the year 1833, by Revs. Chester Chapin and Truman Coe. The following are the original members: Ebenezer Abbott, Robert Gough, Hugh and Mrs. Gordon, Aaron and Mrs. Allen, Sarah Shepherd, Mary E. Chapin, and Annis Bates. Services were held each Sabbath afternoon in a school-house, then standing on the site now occupied by the town hall. Rev. Chester Chapin, first pastor, was succeeded in 1835 by Rev. Benjamin S. Paige; 1836, Rev. R. Stone; 1837, Rev. Truman Coe; 1839, Rev. E. Adams ; 1840, Rev. H. S. Clark ; 1846, Rev. Darius Morris; 1847, Rev. Alvin Nash ; 1849, Rev. C. H. Taylor ; 1852, Rev. Andrew Sharp; 1854, Rev. E. G. Moore; 1855, Rev. G. A. Adams; 1857, Rev. J. E. Vance; 1861, Rev. Joseph E. Tinker; 1867, Rev. D. K. Steele. In May, 1875, Rev. W. A. Robinson became pastor in charge, and is present pastor. In the spring of 1836 Samuel Wilson donated a piece of ground upon which to build a church, and the present edifice was erected thereon as soon thereafter as was practicable. The dedication occurred February 9, 1837. Entire cost of structure, six thousand dollars. This building has since been entirely remodeled, at a cost of seventeen hundred dollars. The first election of officers occurred Oc- tober 31, 1845, as follows : Elijah Murray, Asa Young, and L. P. Bates, elders. Oficers for 1878: Samuel Taylor, Laselle Birg, and Orrin B. Gridley, elders;
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HISTORY OF GEAUGA AND LAKE COUNTIES, OHIO.
L. P. Bates and N. B. Davis, deacons; Samuel Taylor, A. B. Gridley, Hon. H. G. Tryon, A. B. Northop, and Titus S. Harbech, trustees. Present member- ship, one hundred and twenty-four. Services morning and evening of each Sab- bath. Sabbath-school the entire year, with an average attendance of eighty chil- dren. Superintendent, Prof. W. W. Gist. The organization of Grace church (Episcopal) is of recent date, viz., May 18, 1870. The officers of the church are Andrew Houliston, S. W .; J. B. Brown, J. W .; vestry, S. W. Smart, George Viall, A. Y. Austin, Samuel Phipps, and John S. Ellew. Services were con- ducted by lay readers and deacons until 1877, when the Rev. W. H. Capens be- came rector. He continued in charge until June, 1878. Membership, two hundred and ten.
THE DISCIPLE CHURCH
was organized November 16, 1873, by Reverend A. B. Green. William A. Lillie, elder ; H. H. Hall and H. J. Randall, deacons. These persons still occupy the same positions. There was at this time a class of thirty-eight persons. Services were held in the Universalist building until the completion of their own church edifice. This was dedicated by Reverend R. Moffett, in December, 1875. Entire cost, seven thousand dollars ; present membership, one hundred.
The church of the Universalists has no settled pastor. There is also a church of the Catholic faith at this point ; this is under the charge of Father Martin.
The pioneer post-office was established about the year 1820. Nehemiah Allen is believed to have been the first person commissioned postmaster. He was suc- ceeded by J. M. Henderson; then follow - Boyce, - Egbert. In 1851, L. P. Bates was commissioned postmaster, and held the office sixteen years; was succeeded in 1867 by the present incumbent, G. S. Eddy.
July 9, 1814, the contract was executed with David Law for the town hall, who completed the building from design of Kohler & Lane, architects, during the subsequent fall ; cost, ten thousand dollars.
WILLOUGHBY UNION SCHOOL.
The union school-building was constructed in 1867, at a cost of about nine thousand dollars. The superintendents for the first four years were A. C. Wil- liams, L. O. Lee, W. A. Depew, and J. G. Brooks. The school was graded in 1872 by R. W. Kilpatrick. The following is a complete list of the teachers employed in the school since it was graded :
1872-73 .- R. W. Kilpatrick, superintendent; Mary Glazier, Clara Viall, Nettie Grover, assistants.
1873-74 .- R. H. Kinnison, superintendent ; S. D. Stewart, L. C. Ormsby, Clara Viall, assistants.
1874-75 .- R. H. Kinnison, superintendent; S. D. Stewart, L. C. Ormsby, Mury Allen, Addie Merrill, assistants.
1875-76 .- G. W. Martin, superintendent; L. C. Ormsby, Julia E. Smith, Florence Moore, A. G. Egbert, assistants.
1876-77 .- W. W. Gist, superintendent; Libbie Ormsby, Julia E. Smith, Florence Moore, A. G. Egbert, assistants.
1877-78 .- W. W. Gist, superintendent; L. Bishop, Julia E. Smith, L. C. Ormsby, A. G. Egbert, assistants.
In 1876 the high-school department of the union school was transferred to the college building, and the management of the school was given to the principal of the college.
The first physician who located in Willoughby was J. M. Henderson ; this was at an early period. He was succeeded by Asahel Brainard. The present physicians are George W. Storm, A. H. Davis, E. G. Clark, and O. S. St. John.
In about 1820, Joseph Waldo opened a hotel. This was conducted for an ex- tended term of years. Its location was a short distance north of the present Willoughby House. The last-named place of entertainment was erected many years since; has had a numerous list of landlords; the present host being George Prindle. The Powell House, farther up town, and near the business portion of the village, was established at a more recent date. This is conducted under the firm-name of E. A. Powell & Son. Charlie, the son, enacts the role of host.
The first merchant goods sold in this township were displayed in a small frame house which stood on the site now occupied by Mrs. Losey. Thomas Card was the owner. His first opening occurred about the year 1818. The following shows the business houses of Willoughby, June, 1878:
Dry Goods, Groceries, etc .- J. S. Ellen & Co., S. V. Wilson, Dickey & Col- lister, S. W. Smart, J. C. Hills, and E. M. Wing.
Drugs and Medicines .- Messrs. Burr & Bates, and G. S. Smith. Hardware .- R. Kennedy & Son and Viall & Pomeroy.
Boots and Shoes .- S. Fowles, B. S. Inman, and O. Neveau.
Meat- Markets .- R. Y. Carroll, Kneebing & Renner, and J. Hill.
Miscellaneous .- H. F. Smith, jewelry ; Armstrong Brothers, furniture; J. W. Stewart, harness-shop; G. S. Eddy, books and stationery ; D. C. Miller, merchant
tailor; N. Clark and A. S. Fowles, tailors; R. Kennedy & Son, livery-stable ; H. K. Stearns, blacksmith ; Asa Cottrell and S. V. Wilson, wagon manufacturers.
MANUFACTORIES.
Among the oldest of these is the tanning and currying establishment of Richard Woolsey, which began business the summer of 1816, and is still in operation by the same individual. Mr. Woolsey still tans by the old-fashioned process of cold water and bark, and although a much greater period of time is consumed in the tanning than by the modern steam method, yet leather so tanned is vastly superior.
Willoughby Flouring-Mill .- The original mill on this site was erected by David Abbott, in the early settlement of the township; we are unable to obtain even an approximate date. The present mill is owned by Julius French, of Cleveland. It has three runs of stone, and is first-class in all its appointments. It does a fine business in both custom and merchant grinding. The waters of the Chagrin river furnish the motive-power.
Farther up the stream, some distance above the village of Willoughby, another flouring-mill, and also a saw-mill, are in operation, both owned by Mr. Judd.
Tile und Brick Machine Works are located on the east bank of the Chagrin river, just below the railroad bridge. The buildings were erected in 1875; are of brick ; the main one forty by eighty feet, the foundry thirty by sixty, and the saw-mill of smaller dimensions. The entire cost of the buildings, machinery, and real estate was sixteen thousand dollars. The average number of hands em- ployed in all the departments is ten, with a pay-roll of three thousand dollars per year. Yearly sales, twenty thousand dollars. The special manufactures are drain-tile and brick-machines. J. W. Penfield, the proprietor, has in operation an extensive pressed-brick manufactory, employing during the season an average of ten hands.
Willoughby Cheese- Works .- In the year 1850 a number of gentlemen formed themselves into an association styled The Lake County Milk Company. R. T. Hitt was appointed manager, and in the spring of the same year put in opera- tion a cheese-factory on the Cleveland road, west of Willoughby village. This was conducted with average success at this point for a period of ten years, when they erected a factory on Erie street, near and across the way from the Wil- loughby Hotel, continuing in the business here some four years. In the mean time another factory was established near the depot, and in the year 1874 the . milk company sold out the factory and ceased business. Mr. Joseph Chidderton purchased the milk company's buildings, and the year following he became the owner of the depot factory, and soon merged the two at that point. The season of 1878, Mr. Chidderton received the milk from five hundred cows. He manu- factures some fifteen cheeses daily, and ships on the average two hundred and fifty gallons of milk daily to Cleveland, where he has a milk-store. The entire capital invested is three thousand dollars.
J. Jenkins & Son, in June, 1859, began the manufacture of plows, cultivators, and agricultural implements, with an aggregate capital of five thousand dollars. July, 1877, they added a planing-mill, and do everything in that line. S. Wor- rallo has another planing-mill also situated in the village.
ORGANIZATION.
The township of Chagrin was organized in 1815, and an election for township officers held on April 3 of that year. Thomas Card was chosen chairman, and William Hutchinson and Thomas Smith judges of election. Elisha Graham, George Beach, and Henry Davis were elected trustees; Christopher Calson, clerk ; Joseph Card, treasurer; Daniel Judd and Noah Warden, overseers of the poor; Samuel Wert and Joseph Card, fence-viewers; George Hall, lister, and Jacob Wert appraiser, of property ; Ebenezer Smith, Joseph Card, Theron Freeman, and John Jackson, supervisors of highways; and Joseph Waldo, constable. The officers for 1878 are : Jarbon, Sharpe, and G. Wilmer, trustees ; C. C. Jenkins, clerk ; J. S. Ellen, treasurer; E. C. Fowles and J. M. Downing, constables; J. V. Viall, W. A. Lilley, and G. C. Newton, justices of the peace.
Under the act passed May 3, 1853, the village of Willoughby was incorporated. An election of officers was held November 4 of the above year, when H. A. Sharp was elected mayor; J. H. Boyce, recording secretary ; S. Miller, T. Col- lister, E. Tuttle, J. W. Stewart, and D. C. Miller, trustees. The officers for 1878 are J. S. Ellen, mayor; R. C. Bates, treasurer ; C. C. Jenkins, clerk ; C. R. R. Brown, George Pillow, and H. F. Kennedy, councilmen.
SOCIETIES.
Willoughby Lodge, No. 302, F. and A. M., of this order was organized in 1858, the charter bearing date October 21 of that year. Charter members, David H. Brinkerhoff, Stephen S. Storm, David Hollister, Zenas F. Williams, Lewis H. Johnson, D. T. Boynton, Charles Slaytow, Thomas S. Harbach, and David R.
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ISAAC MOORE.
ELIZABETH MOORE.
JEREMIAH EVANS.
JACOB B. VIALL.
LITH. BYL N LYONS PHILA. PA.
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HISTORY OF GEAUGA AND LAKE COUNTIES, OHIO.
Austin. First Master, David H. Brinkerhoff ; S. W., Stephen S. Storm; and J. W., David Hollister. The officers for 1878 are T. H. Burr, W. M .; C. A. Norton, S. W .; A. H. Davis, J. W .; J. S. Ellen, Treas .; C. C. Ackley, Sec. ; A. G. Waite, S. D .; O. C. Dodd, J. D .; A. A. Goodrich, Tyler ; Wm. Thomas and G. C. Newton, Stewards. Membership, June, 1878, sixty-eight. Nights of meeting, second and fourth Tuesdays of each month. This society is in a highly prosperous and harmonious condition.
Plains Grange, No. 469, P. of H., was organized January 15, 1874, with thirty-four charter members. A. Gray, first Master; G. Newton, O .; C. J. Richardson, Lec. ; and C. Dunbar, Sec. This society own their hall, which was built in 1876, is thirty by forty feet in size, and cost eight hundred dollars. Present membership, twenty-eight. Officers for 1878, C. J. Richardson, M. ; G. Newton, O .; S. Brown, Lec. ; Miss E. Richardson, Sec. Regular meetings, Wednesday evenings of each week.
STATISTICS FOR 1878.
Wheat.
1051 acres.
18,568 bushels.
Oats
1101
37,122
Corn ..
1386
56,343
Potatoes.
427
33,050
=
Orchards.
538
3,934
Meadow
2470
=
3,081 tons.
Butter.
93,285 pounds.
Cheese.
65,100
Maple-sugar.
3,900
The vote for President, in 1876, was, R. B. Hayes, 410; S. J. Tilden, 202. The population of the township, in 1870, was 2516 ; of the village, 867.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JEREMIAH EVANS.
Among the men of local note who, at an early day, resided in the west part of Newbury, one of the most conspicuous was the man named above. He was the son of Daniel Evans, who had twelve children beside ; was born in Washing- ton county, Pennsylvania, May 22, 1798, and with his father's family emigrated to Parkman in 1806, where he grew to manhood, a tall, strong, brawny, florid- faced, curly-haired, sun-browned young man, of gay spirit, light-hearted, a noted hunter of bears and deer; much given, also, to courting the forest maidens of that early day in the rude cabins in the woods. He was withal a fine singer, with a tenor voice, and a knack of composing his own songs, and a skill at telling stories, some of which he heard from others. Not greatly addicted to the spelling-book, nor proficient in Daboll, though of quick natural parts, good sense, and of prac- tical intelligence.
In 1818, as stated elsewhere, Marsena Munn removed from Massachusetts to Ohio, bringing with him his wife and children, of whom the oldest daughter was Laura, born in Munson, Massachusetts, November 12, 1797. Mr. Munn also brought with him a young Robinson, and a year or two later removed his father's family to Newbury. Of this family of Robinsons, the oldest daughter, Orinda, was in due time married to Benjamin Hosmore, a young man of Parkman, friend of Jerry Evans, who came on with him as " best man." Here he met Laura Munn, whom he courted with such warmth that they were married February 24, 1822, taking her from a rival as was said.
In 1825 he built a log cabin on a part of his wife's land, not remote from the homestead of her family, in the west part of Newbury, where with great industry he cleared up and improved a fine farm, built good buildings, and was a popular and influential man. His lack of school culture was a little in his way. He was, however, called to fill many township posts; among them for many years he was a justice of the peace, usually represented his township in the Whig county con- ventions, was several times talked of as representative in the legislature, was a great friend of the Utleys and Haydens, a devoted friend of the Riddles, was the first to bring forward for public position one of the younger sons, to whom he steadily adhered through all his fortunes.
His marriage was happy and fortunate. Of the nine children born of it, four survive, all daughters. One died in infancy; four-two beautiful daughters and two tall, manly sons-died one after another, just as they were flowering into manhood and womanhood. These bereavements, the first occurring in 1845, followed each other in 1846, 1847, 1848, all dying of typhus fever. Their united power quite broke the strong, brave heart, and bowed the spirit and form of the unfortunate father ; and, though years of prosperity and serenity were his, I doubt whether he ever quite recovered the old buoyant tone of spirit. The farm he had made, the home he had built, were a desolation. He sold them and removed to Chagrin Falls, and engaged in other pursuits. Here he resided thirteen years; was ap-
pointed postmaster by President Lincoln, and held the office till he removed to Willoughby in 1866. Here he purchased a small, beautiful farm, some three miles from the village, where he continued to reside at his ease, honored and re- spected, until his death, February 26, 1872. His remains were carried and laid by his lost ones in the now populous cemetery in the " west part," leaving his wife, now eighty-one years of age, the eldest daughter, Mrs. Palmer, and her son, Marsena, in the Willoughby home. It is seen that this happy union lasted two days over the golden fifty years.
Mr. Evans was a very useful man in his day and circle. Frank, warm-hearted, and sturdy, with an attractive person, very pleasing, including polished manners and good address, he had many endowments of mind, which, with better culture, would have carried him to wider and higher fields of usefulness. A remarkable conversationalist, he was an ardent Unitarian, a master of their popular views, and during many years of middle life was a noted controversialist, assailing not merely the rank and file, but the leading orthodox clergy, wherever they could be come at. Though of the strictest probity and purest life, this belligerency, though conducted in the most gentlemanly way, while it detracted nothing from his use- fulness, somewhat impaired his personal popularity. His acquaintance with prom- inent men was extensive. His influence was much courted, but no man was less flattered by such attentions. His judgment of men was singularly accurate, and his action independent and disinterested. He was quite intimate with the Park- mans, Converses, Phelpses, Fords, Hitchcocks, Ludlows, and many of the other men sketched in this volume ; and it may be said that his life was, on the whole, quite as well rounded and complete as any set forth in these pages.
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