History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 187

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1104


USA > Ohio > Summit County > History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio > Part 187


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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his trade-carpenter and joiner-until Febru- ary, 1880, when he was taken down with a severe attack of rheninatism ; at the end of two weeks he seemed to rally, but soon afterward was taken with agne, from which he never fully recovered. Spinal troubles increased his afflic- tion, until at last he died on the 1st of April, 1880. He was a kind father, a loving husband and an exemplary citizen ; no unkind word was ever spoken to his family by him, and his death was mourned bitterly by his devoted wife and children. He was laid to rest in the village cemetery, and over his lonely grave the sweet flowers of loving remembrance are strewed, and tears of affection fall upon the silent earth. The neighborhood mourned his untimely death, and revere his name as among their most hon- ored dead. Thus dear friends are returned to dust, but their names become living jewels in the bright casket of memory.


JOHN GOULDIN, farmer and merchant ; Copley Center; was born in New Lisbon, Columbiana Co., Ohio, Sept. 30, 1815. He is a son of John and Esther (Chandler) Gouldin. When John was 9 years old, his father moved near Cleveland, engaging in agricultural pur- suits. John remained with his father until his marriage with Miss Betsey Hendershot, which event occurred May 3, 1835. To this union was born the following family : Charles F., born March 1, 1848, died Oct. 1, 1855 ; Mariam, born May 20, 1840 ; Albert, born Aug. 30, 1842; Lucy E., born May 3, 1849, and Bina, born Oct. 24, 1852. After his marriage, Mr. Gouldin had charge of a saw-mill for four years, and in the fall of 1839, purchased a piece of land in Copley Township, Summit Co., Ohio, and has retained the ownership of that land ever since. In 1873. he commenced in the agricultural implement business in Akron, and his work there met with excellent success. In 1876, he took in two partners, and the firm name then became Kra- mer, May & Gouldin, and this remained un- changed until 1878. when the partnership was dissolved, Messrs Kramer and May retiring. Mr. Gouldin still carries on the business at No. 114 North Howard street. Politically, Mr. Gouldin is a stanch Republican. He divides his residence between his home and business in Akron, and his country seat in Copley Town- ship.


V. G. HARRIS, farmer ; P. O. Copley Cen- ter ; was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, Feb. 7, 1826 ;


is one in the following family born to Aaron and Eleanor (White) Harris ; Francis M., Eliz- abeth M., Hamilton, Vincent G., William W., Cordelia, Ellen and Caroline. The subject of this biography remained with his parents until he was 23 years of age. In September, 1849, he was united in marriage with Martha Long, daughter of Jacob Long, and to this union was born a family of nine children, as follows : Re- becca B., born June 20, 1850 ; Mary, Sept. 28, 1851 ; Joseph J., Feb. 18, 1853 ; John, Feb. 15, 1855, died in infancy ; Elizabeth, born Feb. 10, 1856 ; Eliza, May 28, 1857; Charles F., June 12, 1859 ; Sarah, Dec. 26, 1852, and Andrew J., Feb. 24, 1865. Mr. Harris started in life with little to depend on but his own exertions. He came to Copley Township in 1850, purchasing 50 acres of land. He advanced on his farm first $450, with a balance of $750 to pay. Since that time he has added by degrees, until he now owns a fine farm of 200 acres of well-improved land, besides other property. Mr. Harris is one of the leading men of his township, and is well respected by all his acquaintances.


JAMES HAMMOND, retired farmer ; P. O. Copley Center ; is a native of Yorkshire, En- gland, and was born April 6, 1811 ; he is a son of Thomas and Ann (Barton) Hammond, who were parents of the following family : Mary, George, Joseph, John, Edward, Elizabeth. James, Thomas and Charles ; James remained in England, working at different employments, until 1848, when he arrived in New York June 20. He was married June 30, 1838, to Eliza- beth, daughter of James and Nancy Spensley, and by her had the following family : Anna, born April 1, 1839 ; Spensley, born April 10, 1841; George, born Oct. 18, 1843; James E., born Aug. 20, 1846, born in England ; and William A., born July 4, 1849 ; Lizzie, born Dec. 5, 1854 ; Joseph E., born March 14, 1851, died in infancy ; Frank P., born April 15, 1857 ; Charles, born Sept. 27, 1860 ; and Alice D., born Feb. 21, 1864, born in America. At the time of his arrival, Mr. Hammond had $26 ; he and family came to Medina Co., where they re- mained one year, and from there went to Akron ; on his arrival in Copley Township, Summit Co., Ohio, he purchased a small farm that is now owned by William Wagoner, and remained there five years ; he then purchased a larger farm in the southern part of the town- ship, and has by degrees made himself inde-


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pendent ; he started in the United States with scarcely anything, but by degrees, economy and close attention to business, he has pur- chased and paid for a fine farm of 332 acres. In the politics of this township Mr. Hammond has figured quite prominently, having identified himself with the Republican party. He is one of Copley's best and most respected citizens, and in the hearts of his fellow-townsmen has a warm place.


LEVI D. HOLLINGER, farmer ; P. O. Ak- ron ; was born April 6, 1846, in Franklin Township ; he is a son of Jacob and Barbara (Daily) Hollinger, who were parents of the fol- lowing : Joseph, Michael, David, Jacob, Levi D., Amanda, Harriet, and Josiah and Uriah (twins) ; the mother of these children died in 1860, and Mr. Hollinger married his second wife, Mary Underholt, and by her had two children-War- ren and Minnie. Levi remained with his parents until during the war, when, being a lad of only 17, he enlisted in the cause of his country in Co. E, 13th O. V. I., and was after- ward transferred to Co. D ; he participated in some of the most noted engagements of the war, among them being Stone River, Chicka- mauga, Mission Bidge, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Franklin, Nashville, Kenesaw Mountain and many others ; Mr. Hollinger was one of the few who escaped drowning from the sinking of the steamer Matagorda, below Memphis. He was married in February, 1868, to Minerva Wylie, daughter of John Wylie, whose biography appears in this work ; to this union were born two chil- dren-Myrven J., born Oct. 23, 1868, and Dwight, born July 5, 1876. Mrs. Hollinger was born Feb. 8, 1843. Soon after their mar- riage, Mr. and Mrs. Hollinger moved to Benton Co., Iowa, where they remained farming for six years ; at the end of that time they returned to Franklin Township, Summit Co., Ohio, where they lived until about 1878, when they came to Copley Township, where he has since resided.


SAMUEL HENKEY, farmer ; Copley Cen- ter ; was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., in Oeto- ber, 1828. He is a son of Louis and Catharine (Less) Henkey, who were parents of seven chil- dren ; when our subject was but an infant his parents moved from his native State to Stark Co., Ohio. Our subject received a common- school education in youth, and he remained with his parents until he became a man. In


October, 1849, he married Mary Witmer, daugh- ter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Gougler) Witmer, who was born Aug. 21, 1827. To this union were born five children-David, born Oct. 8, 1850 ; Mary E., born Feb. 4, 1854 ; Catharine, Nov. 14, 1863; John H., May 24, 1855, and Elizabeth, born July 14, 1858. In 1851, Samuel, together with his parents, moved from Stark Co., to Wayne Co., Ohio, and, after four year's stay there, moved to Summit Co., Ohio. They lived in the latter county in different localities, until about 1860, when they came to Copley Township, Summit Co., Ohio, where our subject and family have ever since resided. Mr. Hen- key is a Republican in politics, and he and wife are members of the Evangelical Association of Bath Township.


G. W. HAWKINS, farmer; P. O. Copley Center ; in 1814, Copley Township received its first settlers, and among them were the parents of the subject of this sketch. Much of their early experiences in the woods of Copley will be found in the history of this township in another part of this volume. G. W. Hawkins was the first white child born in the town- ship, that date being Dec. 29, 1815. At the age of 10 years Mr. Hawkin's father died of fever, and at the age of 14, took charge of the old homestead, 100 acres, and re- mained in charge until 1834, when his mother married again, and his step-father bought out the heirs. In January, 1840, he was united in marriage with Miss Matilda Hubbard, daughter of Reuben Hubbard, and to this union there were born five children-Adelia, died in infancy ; Eliza, born June 4, 1845, died Nov. 18, 1871; Alice C., born Sept. 14, 1847 ; George W., born Sept. 2, 1851, died Nov. 13. 1876 ; Eugene R., born June 28, 1854. Five years after his marriage, Mr. Hawkins moved on to the eastern part of Lot 1, where he has ever since resided. Mrs. Hawkins is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while Mr. Hawkins is a Democrat in politics. This family are among the leading ones of Copley Township.


WILLIAM JOHNSTON, farmer ; P. O. Ak- ron ; was born in Green Township, Summit Co., Ohio, Aug. 3, 1815, and his birth was the second or third in the township. Mr. Johnston is a son of Cornelius and Elizabeth (Willhelm) Johnston, who were parents of the following family : Mary, Alexander, Abram (deceased),


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John (deceased), William, Cornelius, Nancy and Eliza. The father was born Feb. 17, 1782, in New Jersey. When a young man he moved to Center Co., Penn., where he remained until he came to Ohio. He died in June, 1871, at the advanced age of 89. Of the children, Alexander still resides in Green Township. He was the first Recorder of Summit Co., and afterward served as member of the Legislature. John was also a member of the State Legisla- ture, serving at one time in the very distin- guished position of Speaker of the House. Cornelius is a retired merchant of Akron. Nancy is the wife of Hon. N. W. Goodhue. William, the subject of this sketch, has held various township offices, and at one time was Director of the County Infirmary. This fam- ily came to Green Township from Center Co., Penn., in 1814. The first few years after their arrival they had difficulty in earning the where- withal to supply their wants. The children re- ceived the most of their education by the light of the hickory bark blazing in the great fire- place. William Johnston remained with his parents until he was 29 years of age. He mar- ried Elizabeth G. Moore, daughter of John Moore, April 22, 1841, and by her had two sons-Cornelius A., born July 16, 1842, and John M., born Aug. 13, 1844, the former of whom married Sarah Swartz. John married Miss A. Dales, who bore him two children, viz., Jessie and Marcia. In April, 1844, Mr. John- ston came to Copley Township, locating on Lot 15, where he has ever since resided. He is a Republican in politics, and has been a sub- scriber for and read the New York Tribune for forty years.


CHARLES C. MILLER, farming and gar- dening ; P. O. Akron ; was born in Akron, Ohio, Dec. 11, 1832. He is the eldest child born to Ansel and Lucy A. (Hawkins) Miller, who were parents of two sons-Charles C. and James N. Mr. Miller, the father, was a native of Bridgewater, Vt. When a young man, he left home and went to Boston, Mass., where he worked at his trade, carpenter and joiner. While here, he assisted in building the Quincy Market House, on which he worked, scarcely missing a day, for 466 days. From Boston, Mr. Miller went to Rochester, N. Y., living there one year. In 1828, he started West on a " prospecting " tour, and coming to Akron, he was so well pleased with the then village and


surroundings, that he returned to Rochester, and the next year, 1829, came to Akron for the purpose of making that his permanent home. Nov. 22, 1831, he married the mother of Charles C. and James N. From the time of his arrival in Akron, until 1840, Mr. Miller steadily fol- lowed his trade. About this time, he purchased an interest in a boat-yard there, and engaged in the manufacturing of boats. During the win- ter of 1859-60, he sold out, and then went to live with his son Charles, with whom he resided until his death, Dec. 16, 1879, aged over S1 years. Charles C. Miller was reared and edu- cated in Akron principally. He was married in August, 1860, to Mary A. Philbrick, daugh- ter of Daniel Philbrick, of Michigan, and by her had a family of five children, as follows : Frank E. (deceased), Lottie A., Ansel P., Lute H. and Carl E. Mrs. Miller was born in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., Jan. 12, 1843. Im- mediately after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Miller came to their present place of residence, in Copley, where they have since resided. Mr. Miller is a Republican in politics, and an intel- ligent gentleman.


WILLIAM MARTENES, farmer ; P. O. Akron ; was born in Harmony, Butler Co., Penn., Dec. 25, 1844. He is a son of Cornelius and Mary (Flowers) Martenes, and they were parents of the following family : Abraham, dead ; Maria, William, Sarah, dead ; Angeline, Austin, Rosa A., dead ; and Nancy A. In 1865, this family came to Copley Township, Summit Co., Ohio, where the parents remained until their respective deaths. Our subject was married in June, 1868, to Eliza Squires, and by her had one child, Charles G., who was born in March, 1869. Mrs. Martenes died Nov. 29, 1875. Dec. 31, 1876, Mr. Martenes married Jennie Squires, a niece of his former wife's and a daughter of Chester Squires. Mr. Martenes has always been a farmer, and as such is among the best in his locality. He is a Republican in politics, and he and wife belong to the Church of God.


CHESTER ORCUTT, Copley Center : is a native of Copley Township, and was born March 8, 1839. He is a son of Chester and Jerusha (Chamberlin) Orentt, who were parents of two children-Chester and Elmira. These children are half-brother and sister to Parnel, Olive, Ellzabeth and George Orcutt. Our sub- ject was raised on the farm by his parents. In


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December, 1871, he made a visit to California, and was gone three months, the longest he was ever away from Copley Township. May 5, 1876, he was united in marriage with Melissa Simmons, daughter of Dr. and Margaret Sim- mons, and by her had one child, Elmira E., born Feb. 11, 1877. His wife died Dee. 25, 1878, and at the time of her death was a mem- ber of the Disciples' Church.


G. H. RITCHIE ; P. O. Akron ; was born in Portage Township, Summit Co., Ohio, Oet. 21, 1851. He is a son of Melehiah and Margaret (Squires) Ritchie who were parents of the fol- lowing family : George H., Sarah, Henry (dead), Hiram, Robert, Jennie, Leonard, Mel- ehiah and William. In 1852, this family moved into Copley Township and this has always been our subjeet's home. George H. remained with his parents in youth, receiving a good education. In November, 1872, he married Mary A. Klingaman, only child of Jacob and Hannah Klingaman who was born Feb. 2, 1855. To this union one daughter- Lettie May, born June 13, 1873. After his marriage, Mr. Ritchie located on a farm of 65 acres, two miles east of the center on Lots 35 and 26, and this has since been his home. In 1875, Mr. Ritchie experienced religion, and he joined the religious sect known as the Church of God. In 1878, he commenced ex- horting and preaching, and has since that time been assistant circuit minister of the cirenit in which he resides. His whole family belong to this church.


SAMUEL ROTHROCK, (deceased), was a native of Philadelphia, Penn., and was born Oct. 20, 1820. He was one in a family of eight children, of whom Samuel and Rebecca (Esh- bauch) Rothrock were the parents. In 1834, Samuel, together with his parents, came to Stark Co., Ohio, and here he resided until 1846. On the 25th of December, 1845, he was united in marriage with Catharine, daughter of Christian Stauffer ; and to this union were born the following family : Samnel, Christian, David, Amos, Levi, Susan, Mary, Maggie, Anna and Jacob. These children are all living and all reside in Summit County. After his marriage, Mr. Rothrock commenced farming, and such was his occupation through life. In the spring of 1853, he and family came to Copley Township, Summit Co., Ohio, and settled on Lot No. 12. In 1871, he commenced suffering with


dropsy, and after about six months' intense suf- ering, his death occurred. That event was Dec. 29, 1871. He and wife were members of church, and Mr. Rothrock was a most estimable citizen.


WILLIAM C. SACKETT, farmer; P. O. Akron ; born in Litchfield Co., Conn., Oct. 29, 1827, the son of Aaron and Huldah C. (Tan- ner) Sackett ; Aaron was born Jan. 7, 1791, and Huldah Aug. 10, 1793 ; they were married May 15, 1816, and the parents of ten children as follows : Theodosia, now Mrs. Seth B. Hall, of Huston, Texas ; Harriet, now Mrs. W. A. Hanford, of Cuyahoga Falls ; George, now of Cuyahoga Falls ; Sarah, died, aged 14 ; Eme- line, died in 1867, aged 42; William C., of Copley ; Seth, now of Colorado ; Maria C., now Mrs. Cornelius Kellogg, of Freedom, Portage Co .; Frances A., married Bruice Baldwin and moved to Missouri, where she died ; Sarah M., now Mrs. H. C. Grant, of Cuyahoga Falls. Aaron was always a farmer ; he died at the residence of his son William, June 8, 1872. The father of Huldah C. Tanner served in the Revolutionary war, and his widow drew a pen- sion for many years previons to her death ; Huldah was a member of the Congregational Church at Tallmadge ; she died April 24, 1855. When the subject of this sketch was about 10 years of age, his parents removed to Ohio and settled in Tallmadge Township ; William was educated mostly in the schools of Tallmadge ; he attended the High School of Akron during the winter of 1848-49, when M. D. Leggett, formerly U. S. Commissioner of Patents, was Principal ; then farmed land on Chuckery Plains north of Akron for about two summers. In the fall of 1851, he left Summit County for California and Oregon, where he remained four years. During most of this time he was en- gaged in mining, at first near Shasta City, which was then at the head of wagon navigation, and then for about one year in the neighborhood of Jacksonville, Oregon, situated at the head of Rogue River Valley. Mr. Sackett returned to Ohio in the summer of 1855, and in the fall purchased from George Sackett, his brother, the farm upon which he now resides ; the land was then known as the Isaac C. Isbel property, and familiar to most people as the "Copley Swamp." Mr. Sackett was married in the year 1857, to Miss Hatty L., daughter of Henry Galbraith, of Akron ; he is the father of four children-Clarence, died, aged 18; Hattie,


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died, aged 6 ; Ina, died, aged 4 ; William A., his only living child, is now a student of the Akron High Schools; he was born in March, 1866.


J. W. SWIGART, farmer ; P. O. Copley Center ; was born in Lawrence Township, Stark Co., Ohio, Ocet. 16, 1836. He is the son of Jacob and Abigail Swigart, who were parents of four children-John W., George S., Alfred J. and Maggie C. In 1847, the Swigart family moved to Summit Co., Bath Township, and the family home has been there ever since. John W. lived with his parents until he was 21 years of age, and, June 10, 1858, he was united in marriage with Sarah J. Stump, who was born Aug. 24, 1837. To this union there were born seven children-Alfred, born April 10, 1859 ; Charles E., Dec. 10, 1861 ; Clara J., Oct. 7, 1864 ; Mary E., June 13, 1867 ; William W., Oct. 4, 1870 ; John C., Oet. 15, 1873, and Stella M., Aug. 23, 1879. When Mr. Swigart arrived at his majority, he purchased a farm in Bath Township, where he remained six years, farm- ing during the summer and teaching school during the winter. In the spring of 1864, he came to Copley Township, and has remained in different localities ever since. Mr. Swigart is a Democrat in politics, and an earnest advocate of the advancement of education. He and wife are members of the Reformed Church at Cop- ley Center.


CHARLES TAYLOR, farmer ; P. O. Copley Center ; was born in Copley Township, Sum- mit Co., Ohio, Feb. 27, 1834. He is a son of Theodore and Matilda (Hoyt) Taylor, who were parents of thirteen children, of whom the fol- lowing only are living: Daniel, Charles, Ophelia, Joseph and Ellen. The father, Theodore, was born in Connecticut, in 1801. In 1818, in company with his parents, he came to Norton Township, and two years after their arrival his father died. In 1827, he was married to Miss Hoyt, and soon after this event moved to Cop- ley, where they remained until their respective deaths. The father died Aug. 11, 1862, and the mother Dec. 23, 1880. Charles Taylor re- mained with his parents, assisting them on the farm, until 20 years of age. In October, 1855, he was nnited in marriage with Sophronia Cook, daughter of Edmund Cook, after which he re- moved to St. Joseph Co., Mich. He remained here about a year and then returned to Copley, where lie has ever since made his home. To


Mr. Taylor's union there was born the following family : Charles M., Emma, Lewis C., Fietta and Mary. He has a nice home, on part of Lots 27 and 34. He is an intelligent gentle- man, and a Republican in politics.


PETER WEEKS (deceased), was born in Gilmanton, N. H., Jan. 29, 1793. He was one in the following family born to John and Han- nah (Moody) Weeks-Levitt, Peter, Abigail, Dorothea, Moody, Celestia, Matthias and Mary, the youngest being the only surviving member of the family. Peter remained with his parents at the place of his birth until about the age of 25, and then, in company with Abel Bennett, moved westward, locating in Wadsworth, Me- dina Co., Ohio. They were among the earliest settlers of that neighborhood, and coming as they did, with their knowledge of the carpenter and joiner business, they proved a valuable addition to the settlement. Two years after his arrival in Wadsworth, Mr. Weeks' two brothers, Levitt and Moody, arrived. and the three brothers then formed a partnership in the carpentering business, the firm taking the name of Weeks Bros., and this firm erected nearly all the buildings of Wadsworth prior to 1832. In November, 1821, Peter Weeks and Alathea Taylor were united in marriage. This lady died, and his second wife was Catharine Fran- cisco, daughter of Henry Francisco, and by her had three children, as follows-Alathea, born Nov. 1, 1863, died in infancy ; Martha L., June 1, 1866, died June 16, 1878, and Charles P .. born Sept. 1, 1870. Besides his own family, Mr. Weeks reared three of Levitt's children, who were left motherless when quite small, and two of Moody's children, who were left orphans in childhood. Mr. Weeks came to Copley Town- ship in 1832, locating on Lot No. 23. He was a hard-working, industrious man. He was kind and sympathetic in his family duties. and always gentlemanly and courteous in his inter- course with neighbors. He early in life identi- fied himself with the Disciples' Church, and, in his religious duties. was always prompt. lle came to Ohio with no property, but by honest and upright dealings left 500 acres of excellent land at his death. In 1872, he commenced suffering with heart disease, which finally terminated in his death Nov. 2, 1873. On his 80th birthday, friends to the number of one hundred gathered in to celebrate the event. and, in his latter hours, Mr. Weeks recalled


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this scene with a happy heart to think he had so many friends who were so much interested in his welfare. But thus it is, one by one the old landmarks are fast fading away, but the hope of the present generation is to record the events of these old pioneers that in years to come their names and deeds will not be for- gotten, but treasured up, and, in after years, prove an honor to their families.


WILLIAM WAGGONER, farmer ; P. O. Copley Center ; was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., Nov. 13, 1829, and is one of the following family born to William and Catharine (Spahr) Waggoner : Andrew (dead), Jolm (dead), Chris- tina ((lead), Anna, Almira. Peter (dead). and Amanda and Matilda, twins (dead). In 1835, our subject and parents came to Copley Town- ship, Summit Co., Ohio, and their first settle- ment was on Pigeon Creek. They remained here in a log cabin one year and then removed to Lot 38, about a mile south of the Center. Mr. Waggoner has at different times served in the capacity of stone-mason, but at the time of his second removal in Copley Township, up to the time of his death, his chosen occupation was coopering. Our subject lived with his parents until he was 20 years of age, and then went to Akron and learned the bricklayer's trade, which he has followed to a considerable extent since during the summer seasons and teaching school during the winter. In April, 1857, he married Ann B. Stearn, and he and wife went to Iowa, where they remained seven years, he working at his trade. In 1864, they returned to Copley Township, where our sub- ject has made his home ever since. Mrs. Wag- goner died Nov. 15, 1863. In December, 1863. he enlisted his services in his country's behalf, and served until the close of the war, partici- pating in the battles of Franklin, Nashville and many others. At the close of the war he went to Akron to work at his trade until he married Lydia A. Randolph. This event took place March 4, 1869. They then moved to Copley. Mr. Waggoner owns 96 acres of land ; is a Re- publican in politics, and is highly esteemed by those who know him.




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