USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > Youngstown > History of St. John's Episcopal Church, Youngstown, Ohio : with part of the history of St. James Church, Boardman, the pioneer parish of Ohio > Part 7
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Francis Reno, Senior Warden 1859 to 1864
Henry Manning, Jr., Junior Warden 1859 to 1864. Senior Warden 1865 to 1881.
James M. Reno, Junior Warden 1865 to 1881. Present Senior Warden.
James Rudge, Sr., Junior Warden 1882 to 1896.
Wardens of St. John's Church.
1685 to 1758, St. Peter's Parish, New Kent County, Virginia, - the name of J. Reno is recorded, and in Prince William County, Virginia, in the year 1799, Enoch Reno was commissioned to sell glebe lands. The family are the descendants of Lewis Reno, a Huguenot, who emigrated to America from France, arriving in Charleston, South Carolina. The father of our subject was the Rev. Francis Reno, admitted as Deacon in Christ Church, Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, April 26, 1791, and ordained Priest in the same Church on the twenty-first Sunday after Trinity, the 28th day of October, 1792, Bishop William White officiating. His charge consisted of missionary work from and about Pittsburg, and west, on both sides of the Ohio River. He traveled over parts of Washington, Allegheny and Beaver Counties, riding horse- back, sometimes accompanied by his friend, Edward Moore, who acted as clerk. The church services were rendered in the woods in pleasant weather, and in some dwelling house or large barn on stormy days and cold weather. Large numbers assembled at these services, some coming from long distances. The writer hereof met many old people who said they had been baptized by Parson Reno. His immediate charge for Sunday services was the old building at Woodville, known as the Chartiers Chapel, St. Stephen's, Sewickley, and St. Luke's,, Georgetown, all in Penn- sylvania, extreme distance about fifty miles. He completed his education in the school taught by Dr. McMillan at his own house, - afterwards in a log cabin known as the "Latin School." This school is now known as Jefferson College, Canonsburg. The his- · tory of the Presbyterian Church, Sewickley, gives a very particu- lar biography of the Rev. Francis Reno, in which is stated, that he was the first minister who had a regular charge this side of the Allegheny Mountains.
James Reno,
The writer of the above sketch, and son of Francis Reno, Jr., was born May 10, 1838, at Rochester, Pennsylvania. When six
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.
4
weeks old, his parents removed to Youngstown, Ohio, which has since been his home. He and his father were very active in the organizing of St. John's Parish, the son being one of the peti- tioners. During the Civil War, he enlisted as a private in the 44th Battalion, O. V. I., and later, September, 1864, was appointed by President Lincoln, Assistant Quartermaster with rank of Cap- tain. While in the army he was elected a Vestryman (in 1864), and, after the death of his father, became Junior Warden of St. John's Parish. In 1882 he was elected Senior Warden, which office he has held continuously since that time. Mr. Reno has been closely identified with every part of the Church history since its organization. He was one of the first teachers in the Sunday School, for many years its Superintendent, and officiates as Lay-reader in the absence of the Rector in charge.
Henry Manning, Jr.,
Was born in Youngstown, September 15, 1829, and was a resident here nearly all his life, receiving his education at our public schools. While a young boy he commenced clerking at the com- pany store connected with the Youngstown Iron Company. In 1853 he became interested in Pennsylvania coal lands, and later identified himself with the old Eagle Furnace, of which he was manager nearly twenty years. For many years he was one of the firm of Manning, Mckeown & Co., druggists.
Mr. Manning was one of the petitioners for the organization of St. John's Church, its first Junior Warden, and from 1865 to his death, December 24, 1881, its Senior Warden. He gave a great deal of attention to Church work, and our Parish is in- debted to him for much of its after growth, as he gave freely of his money, and his valuable advice was always sought. In 1852 he was married to Miss Sophia B. Arms, sister of Freeman (). Arms, one of our first Vestrymen. Mrs. Manning has always been a loyal, earnest Church-woman, was one of the pioneer
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teachers of the Sunday School in the old brick school house, and one of the petitioners for the new Parish.
The Mannings are one of our earliest and best known fami- lies, the father of this sketch being one of the pioneer physicians, coming to Youngstown on horseback from Connecticut in 1811. Dr. Manning was one of the organizers of the first iron mill here, and was well known in public life. Although a prominent Presbyterian, he was quite liberal to the newly organized Parish of St. John's, as the Church records show. His third wife, nee Mrs. Caroline A. M. Ruggles, was an earnest Church-woman, and one of the petitioners for the new Parish. Dr. Manning's son John was a Vestryman of St. John's for a time, and his grandson, William E. Manning, who is a member of the present Vestry, takes a prominent part in all lines of Church work.
Freeman 0. Arms
Was born at Sodus, New York, April 24, 1824, and came to Youngstown in 1845. He was one of our most successful mer- chants, being a member of a succession of firms carrying on the dry goods business in the building known as Arms & Murray's block, on the southeast corner of Federal and Phelps streets. Mr. Arms was vice-president of the First National Bank and president of the Youngstown Savings and Loan Association, which later became the Mahoning National Bank. He was one of the first Vestry of St. John's Church, and its Treasurer for many years. During the Civil War he was Captain of Company B, 44th Bat- talion, O. V. I., afterwards incorporated into the 155th O. V. I.
He was married at Sodus, New York, September 18, 1849, to Miss Emily S. Proseus, by whom he had two children, - Freeman, who died in childhood, and Caroline, deceased wife of Mr. Tod Ford. Mrs. Emily S. Arms died June 10, 1861, her burial being the first in the new Parish of St. John's.
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Mr. Arms died suddenly of paralysis, on December 8, 1880, and was buried from St. John's Church. He was a man of exalted character, very unassuming and of few words, a good citizen, de- voted to his family, true to his country and the Church.
Mrs. Emily S. Arms was one of the effective Church workers, especially in the Sunday School, over which she had charge for some time, her musical talent being of excellent service in that line of work.
W. J. Hitchcock,
Born May 16, 1829, at Granville, New York, comes from a long line of Churchmen. His grandfather, Collins Hitchcock, was one of the organizers of Zion's Church, at Sandy Hill, New York, and his father, Warren F. Hitchcock, was for many years Senior War- den of the Church at Whitehall, New York. It was at the latter place that the subject of this sketch spent most of his boyhood days, and where, for a time, he clerked in a general store. De- siring to better himself, he went West, and at Detroit learned the machinist's trade. From Detroit he went to Pittsburg, and became interested in the firm of Knapp, Totten & Co. With Mr. Knapp he embarked in business at New Castle, Pennsylvania, at which place he was married to Miss Mary Peebles.
In 1858, through the solicitation of Mr. C. H. Andrews, he came to Youngstown, the two entering into partnership in the coal business, their mines being at Thorn Hill. From this place they built a tramway to haul the coal to Youngstown. Later they built their celebrated blast. furnaces at Hubbard, Ohio. Mr. Hitchcock's business career has been eminently successful, as is well known, but he has found time in the midst of it to devote some of his energies to St. John's Church. He was one of the organizers of the Parish, and has been a member of the Vestry continuously since that time; was a member of the building committee that built the first Church on Wood street, and has served also in that capacity in the building of the new edifice
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just completed. In all his Church work he has had the energetic support of his wife, than whom no more loyal and faithful Church-woman exists among us. Their sons and daughters, all brought up in the Church, are always ready to do their part of the Parish work. Frank Hitchcock their eldest son, is a member of the present Vestry.
M. T. Jewell
Was born in Sodus, New York, June 20, 1825, the only son of Dr. M. T. and Dorcas (St. John) Jewell. His career in life was a mercantile one. He came to Youngstown in 1853, and engaged in the grocery and drug business. In 1857 he purchased the prop- erty on the southeast corner of Federal street and Public Square. His place was burned out in 1867, and he built a new block on the same site, where for many years he was a familiar figure.
In 1855 he was married to Maria F. Edwards, daughter of William Edwards, and grand-daughter of Colonel Peregrine Fitz- hugh, a member of one of the oldest and most prominent families of New York.
Mr. Jewell was one of the first Vestrymen of St. John's Church, suggesting its name, and was for several years its Secretary. He continued as a Vestryman from the commencement of the Parish till his death, which took place April 5, 1891.
His wife did not long survive him. They left no children to perpetuate their name, but they will be long remembered as active workers in the Church. Mr. Jewell was the early historian of the Parish, and one of the most active in its formation. All through his life he gave the business of the Vestry his earnest attention, and was tireless in his efforts to have St. John's a live Parish and keep it to the front.
Joseph B. Wilder
Was born at Wolcott, New York, February 19, 1819. His early life was spent on a farm, receiving his education in the country
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district school. In his twenty-third year he was married to Miss Jane M. Arms, sister of the late C. D. Arms and Freeman O. Arms. After his marriage, for a few years he assisted in the management of his father's extensive stock farm, but becoming dissatisfied with farm life, he removed to Youngstown, and entered the employment of Arms, Murray & Co. Later he took an inter- est in the firm of Arms, Bell & Co., and aided largely in making it one of the foremost manufacturing concerns in the valley. Mr. Wilder was one of the most active in the organization of St. John's Parish, and one of the first Vestry. Though not now a Vestryman, he still takes an active interest in the Church, to which he and his family have always been loyal. Mrs. Wilder, who, with her husband, signed the petition for the organization of the Parish, has ever been a faithful member and an earnest worker in the different societies of the Church.
Hiram A. Hall
Was born in Plymouth Township, Ashtabula County, Ohio, May 5, 1818. He received but a limited common school education, which, however, he augmented by self study. Mr. Hall was one of the best informed men of this locality, being an especially good mathematician. He was in charge of the old Front Street School in the early " forties," and in 1860 and 1861 was Superin- tendent of Rayen School. Mr. Hall was one of the organizers of St. John's Parish, one of its first Vestrymen, and its first Secretary.
In 1861 he recruited a company of Cavalry, and was elected its Captain. This company was Company E, Second Ohio Volun- teer Cavalry, a regiment that was one of the most efficient in the Civil War. He left the service in 1863, his health being quite broken. Mr. Hall died August 31, 1870.
John W. Ellis
Was born June 23, 1827, at Kilmore, County of Fermanagh, Ire- land. He came to America when a boy about sixteen years old,
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landing at New York, where he learned the trade of carpenter. After some years spent at this work, he went to Pittsburg (about 1857), and shortly afterwards to Youngstown, where he had rela- tives. Being a Churchman, he was interested in the new Parish, with which he was closely identified until the Civil War, when he served as a private soldier in the 155th Ohio Volunteer Infan- try. Mr. Ellis was one of the first Vestry, and a member of the building committee that built the first Church on Wood street. About 1878 he became interested in the planing mill business which later developed into the prosperous concern known as the Ellis Planing Mill Company. Mr. Ellis died March 22, 1895. His wife, formerly Miss Juliet Richart, survives him; also one daughter, Elizabeth ( Mrs. George Summers), and a son, Richard, now a Lieutenant in the army.
James Rudge, Sr.,
Was born in Herefordshire, England, on February 17, 1826. In 1850 he was married to Miss Caroline Smith, and in that year came to America, locating at Boardman, Ohio, where he carried on his occupation of farmer until 1872. He then removed with his family to Youngstown, which became his permanent home. All his life he was a member of the Episcopal Church, and both at Boardman and here was an active worker in the Church. About 1879 he was elected a Vestryman of St. John's Parish, and in 1882, when Mr. James Reno was elected Senior Warden, he was elected Junior Warden, which office he held thereafter until his death, November 19, 1896. Mr. Rudge took a deep in- terest in everything pertaining to the good of the Parish, and, when St. Mary's Mission was formed, took it under his special protection. As Rev. Mr. Avery says of him, "he was a sturdy, old-fashioned, English Churchman," and "you always knew where to find him." Those of the Vestry who knew him can add to this, that they generally found him at important times, and his judgment was always worthy of consideration.
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Tod Family.
Among those who have from the first been our strongest and most loyal supporters must be mentioned the Tod family. Judge George Tod, one of the pioneers of the Western Reserve, was a son of David and Rachel (Kent) Tod, of Suffield, Connecticut, where he was born December 11, 1773. He was a graduate of Yale in 1795, taught school at New Haven, then read. law, and was admitted to the bar.
In 1797 he was married to Miss Sallie Isaacs, who was a sis- ter to Mrs. Ingersol, the wife of Governor Ingersol of Connecti- cut. Mrs. Tod was a very loyal Church-woman, a member of Trinity Church, New Haven, one of the oldest Episcopal Churches in the United States. Her name is frequently mentioned in con- nection with the early Church on the Reserve.
Mr. Tod came to Youngstown in 1800, having been appointed Prosecuting Attorney for the United States at the first territorial court of Trumbull County; afterwards he was Territorial Secre- tary, State Senator, Judge of the Supreme Court of Ohio, and President Judge of Court of Common Pleas of the old Third dis- triet. He was a brave officer in the War of 1812, having been commissioned first as Major of the 19th U. S. I., and later became Lieutenant Colonel of the 17th Regiment, U. S. I. He died at the old farm in Brier Hill in 1841, his good wife following him in 1847.
Of the children, we remember more particularly our fellow citizen, David Tod, popularly called the " Great War Governor." He was born in Youngstown, February 21, 1805, and, as one his- torian puts it, "he had the good fortune to be well born." There is not space enough in this little book to do justice to the memory of David Tod, or his people, but a careful perusal of the Parish records will partly show the great extent we are in- debted to Judge Tod and his descendants. Governor Tod died on November 13, 1868; his wife, formerly Miss Maria Smith, of
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BINAÇA - CHI-
Henry O. Bonnell.
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Warren, Ohio, still survives him. Their children give us a hearty and generous support, being always willing to aid in any under- taking that seems best for the interests of the Church. Mrs. Grace (Tod) Arrel and Miss Sallie Tod, in particular, take a prominent part in the Parish work.
Henry O. Bonnell,
Son of William and Sarah A. Bonnell, was born January 11, 1839, at Newly, Yorkshire, England. His family removed to America in 1841, going first to Cincinnati, finally becoming residents of New Castle, Pennsylvania. In 1854 Mr. William Bonnell, with Joseph H. Brown and other practical iron workers, purchased the mill of The Youngstown Iron Co., bringing their families to Youngstown, where the subject of this article received his educa- tion. While quite young he became a clerk in the office of Brown, Bonnell & Co., as the new company was called; working his way upwards by his earnest attention to the business. In 1875, when the company was incorporated, he was elected its vice-president, a position he held until 1879, when he sold his interest and became identified with the Mahoning Valley Iron Co., of which he was the ruling spirit, being president and general manager from its incorporation, in 1886, until his death. He was so prominently known and identified with the business interests of the city, that it seems unnecessary here to give that part of his life extended notice. It is to his connection with the Church that we wish to call attention, as he was in truth one of its "pillars."
He was a great friend of Mr. M. T. Jewell, through whose influence he was led to attend services in the early days of the Parish. In 1862 Mr. Jewell proposed his name as a Vestryman, and he was elected to the Vestry. Mr. Bonnell, not being a Churchman at that time, felt he could not serve. On his birth- day, January 11, 1877, he was confirmed by Bishop Bedell, and that year was elected a Vestryman, being re-elected every year
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thereafter of his life. Mr. Bonnell gave us as a Vestryman the value of his well-trained business mind; the business of the Church being to him just as important as that of the mill, or the directors' meeting of his banking house.
His presence was known and felt at nearly every Diocesan Convention, and he was an honored member of the standing com- mittee. During the sickness of Bishop Bedell, this committee practically had charge of and transacted much of the business of the diocese usually attended to by a Bishop. Too close attention to the business of his iron mills finally undermined his health, and on January 16, 1893, he was called to his long home. He was buried from the Church he had loved so well, many people coming from near and far to attend the obsequies, among them being Bishop Leonard and Governor Mckinley.
Mr. Bonnell's influence was potent in the Church, his judg- ment being sought in all matters of importance. Personally he was loved by all who knew him, and commanded respect from the most casual acquaintance by his noble bearing and gentlemanly qualities. It has been said that " he was one of God's noblemen," which expresses in a few words a correct estimate of him.
Mrs. H. O. Bonnell, formerly Miss Mary Julia Botsford, comes from an old New England family that has been closely identified with the Church. Her father, Mr. A. G. Botsford, was a mem- ber of the Boardman Church in the early days of its history. His son Thomas was a strong Churchman, and during a large part of his life was identified prominently with the Church at Louisville, Kentucky. Another brother is Mr. James L. Botsford, our worthy Treasurer, who has so judiciously handled the funds of our Parish for over twenty-one years. Mrs. Bonnell has fittingly remembered her husband and family by beautiful memo- rials, of which mention is made elsewhere. She is a zealous member of the Parish, anxious for its welfare, and willing always to do something for its advancement.
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St. John's Parish.
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH . 323 WICK AVENUE ST. JAMES' CHAPEL ALBERT AND STATE STREETS
ST. MARY'S CHAPEL
624 MAHONING AVENUE REV. ABNER L. FRAZER, JR., RECTOR.
Sunday Services.
EARLY COMMUNION AT ST. JOHN'S 8:00 A. M.
SUNDAY SCHOOL AT ST. JOHN'S 9:30 A. M.
MORNING PRAYER AND SERMON AT ST. JOHN'S 11:00 A. M.
SUNDAY SCHOOL AT ST. JAMES'
3:00 P. M.
EVENING PRAYER AND ADDRESS AT ST. JAMES' 4:00 P. M.
EVENING PRAYER AND ADDRESS AT ST. JOHN'S . · 7:30 P. M.
Week Day Services at St. John's.
WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS, LITANY 10:00 A. M.
WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS, EVENING PRAYER .
.
7:30 P. M.
HOLY DAYS, CELEBRATIONS
10:00 A. M.
Holy Communion at St. John's.
EVERY SUNDAY -
8:00 A. M.
FIRST SUNDAY IN EACH MONTH 11:00 A. M.
HOLY DAYS
. 10:00 A. M.
Chapel Services.
ST. MARY'S
According to Notice.
The revenue for maintenance of St. John's Church and Chapels is received from VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS.
The Vestry of St. John's Parish.
Elected Easter Monday, 1898. Meets second Monday of each month at 7:30 P. M.
SENIOR WARDEN
JAMES M. RENO
JUNIOR WARDEN
JOSEPH M. BUTLER
Vestrymen.
WILLIAM J. HITCHCOCK,
HENRY W. HEEDY,
JAMES L. BOTSFORD,
CHARLES M. CROOK, FRANK HITCHCOCK,
M. C. MONAB, WILLIAM E. MANNING, JAMES T. MOKELVEY.
TREASURER OF THE PARISH J. L. BOTSFORD
SECRETARY OF THE VESTRY J. M. BUTLER
Vestry Committees.
Executive. J. L. BOTSFORD, J. M. BUTLER, M. C. MONAB.
Finance. J. M. BUTLER, FRANK HITCHCOCK, W. E. MANNING. - Building. E. L. FORD, W. J. HITCHCOCK, J. L. BOTSFORD, J. M. BUTLER. House. J. M. RENO, M. C. MONAB, H. W. HEEDY.
Music. H. W. HEEDY, J. M. RENO, C. M. CROOK, FRANK HITCHCOCK.
Sunday Schools.
IN CHARGE OF THE RECTOR, REV. A. L. FRAZER, JR.
St. John's.
W. E. MANNING ALLAN THOMPSON
Superintendent and Treasurer
Secretary
MISS ELLEN FRANKLIN
. Organist
Teachers.
MISS GRACE RENO,
MISS MARY MANNING,
MISS ROSE PHILLIPS,
MISS ELLA SMITH,
MISS ALICE ELTON,
MISS MAUDE JONES,
MISS ELLEN FRANKLIN,
MISS MAUDE AINGE,
MISS GERTRUDE HITCHCOCK, MISS MILDRED JEWHURST,
MISS MABEL WALTER, MISS HELEN BARGER,
MISS EMMA FISHER, MRS. SARAH KNORR,
MRS. GEORGE ARREL,
MRS. PAUL WICK,
MRS. F. A. LAYMAN,
MR. J. C. MUTER,
MR. ALLEN MUTER, MR. CHARLES MUTER,
MR. IRA PORTER.
MEMBERS ENROLLED'
.
300
SESSION EACH SUNDAY AT . 9:30 A. M.
St. James'.
JOHN JAMES HENRY TAYLOR
Superintendent Secretary and Treasurer
Teachers.
MISS GRACE MACKEY,
MISS MARY MACKEY,
MISS LENA GIES,
MISS HATTIE DAVIS,
MISS SARAH BOTT,
MISS AGNES THOMPSON,
MISS VIOLA WITHERELL,
MISS RUSH, MISS GENEVIEVE BROWN,
MISS MARY DONALDSON,
MR. HENRY TAYLOR,
MR. CHARLES MUTER.
MEMBERS ENROLLED . 120
SESSION EACH SUNDAY AT .
3:00 P. M.
Organizations.
Brotherhood of Saint Andrew,
St. John's Chapter, No. 130.
J. C. MUTER .
President
SAMUEL M. MUTER
Secretary and Treasurer
REV. ABNER L. FRAZER, JR.,
Director
Daughters of the King,
St. John's Chapter, No. 567.
MISS EMMA RUDGE .
President
MISS MARGARET ROSE .
Secretary
MISS GENEVIEVE BROWN . Treasurer
Ladies' Society.
MRS. E. L. FORD
President
MRS. H. B. HILLS
First Vice President
MRS. M. C. MONAB
Second Vice President
MRS. E. W. PARKER
Secretary and Treasurer
Boys' Club.
ERNEST BOOTH
President
HAROLD AINGE
Treasurer
GARFIELD JAMES ,
Secretary
Willing Workers.
EDITH A. ELTON
.
President
MAGGIE WATSON .
Vice President
MARY DAVIS
. Treasurer
LIZZIE THOMPSON
Secretary
St. John's Church Club.
MYRON A. NORRIS
. President J. L. BOTSFORD, JOHN BOTT, W. E. MANNING Vice Presidents
W. F. WILCOX Treasurer
CHARLES MUTER .
Secretary
M. C. MONAB, JAMES COOPER
. Directors
1
The Vested Choir.
-
The Vested Choir.
ORGANIST AND CHOIRMASTER, MR. ROBERT W. FORCIER.
Boys.
HARRY BOTT,
ARTHUR LAWTON,
RALPH SEIDNER,
WILLIAM BOTT,
THOMAS MARTIN,
RICHARD BURKE,
JAMES MARTIN,
WILLIAM CHAPMAN, ALFRED MASON,
CHARLES CROOK,
GEORGE MUTER,
JAMES DAVIS,
JOHN MCWILLIAMS,
JOHN VAUGHN. ROY WAKERMAN,
GILBERT HAMILTON,
ALFRED NEWTON,
IVOR JAMES,
SAMUEL PRICE,
HARRY WOOLEY,
FRANK KIGHTLINGER,
ALFRED PRITCHARD,
JOSEPH WOOLEY,
Adults.
ENSIGN N. BROWN, WALTER BUEHRLE,
JAMES FLETCHER, ADAM JAMES, GARFIELD JAMES,
GEORGE SUTHAN,
HERBERT SUTHAN,
JOHN JAMES,
ROBERT SUTHAN,
THOMAS JONES,
HENRY WALTER,
SAMUEL M. MUTER,
CHARLES WINTON.
FRED STALLARD, JOHN THOMPSON, CHARLES TRIGG, WALLACE TRIGG,
JOHN KNIGHT,
WALTER PRITCHARD.
JOHN ROSE, RICHARD ROSE, EDWARD SMITH,
77 01683 116
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