The History of Wyandot County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns general and local statistics, military record, portraits of early settlers and prominent men etc, Part 131

Author:
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago, Leggett, Conaway
Number of Pages: 1072


USA > Ohio > Wyandot County > The History of Wyandot County, Ohio, containing a history of the county, its townships, towns general and local statistics, military record, portraits of early settlers and prominent men etc > Part 131


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1883. He is a Democrat politically, and himself and family are members of the German Lutheran Church of Upper Sandusky, Ohio.


MILES C. JOHNSON, only son of Jacob and Ann (Teford) Johnson, was born in Bucks County, Penn., February 28, 1825. His parents were of Quaker, German and Irish descent; were married in Bucks County, and moved to Ohio in 1838. His father purchased land in this township and did blacksmithing and farming, rearing four children-Eliza A., Miles C., Atty A. and Martha J. His father died June 4, 1857; his mother is still living on the old farm in her ninety-third year. Miles C., our subject, remained at home on the farm till his marriage to Miss Hannah Brundage May 19, 1853. Mrs. Johnson was born in Seneca County, Ohio, July 22, 1830, a daughter of Thomas and Osce (Depue) Brundage, who were born and married in New York, and who came to Ohio in 1828, and settled in Seneca County, where they endured many hardships of pioneer life, mush made of corn grated by hand being their chief article of diet for many months. Their seven children were Eliza J., Hannah, George, Benjamin, Mary, Thomas and Moses. The mother died May 18, 1874, the father August 21, 1879. For about twenty-two years, Mr. Johnson farmed the old home farm. In 1868, he purchased sixty-eight acres, and on this he still lives. He has since added thirteen acres more, and in 1876 erected a fine brick residence, at a cost of $2,500. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson five sons and one daughter were born-Thomas A. J., November 26, 1854; Alvin T., November 30, 1856; Edgar J., April 23, 1859; Ann E., May 10, 1861; Benjamin F., April 16, 1864; Hiram D., September 26, 1866. All are living but Bon- jamin F., who died September 15, 1865. Mr. Johnson has given most of his attention to farming, but is also manufacturing brick and tile. He is a Democrat, and has served both as Trustee and Treasurer of his township. He is a member of the A., F. & A. M., the I. O. O. F., and, with Mrs. John- son, of the Methodist Episcopal Church.


BYRON KEAR, son of Jonathan and Caroline (Porterfield) Kear, was born in this township January 24, 1832. His parents were natives of New York and Maine respectively. They married in Delaware County, Ohio, and located in this township on land entered by our subject's grand- father. Their children were Lucinda E., Anna M., Crawford J., Byron, Susan C. and Agnes J. Lucinda is deceased. The mother died in August, 1853, the father in March, 1876, aged fifty-five and seventy-five years re- spectively. They were entombed upon the farm where the grandparents, each in their ninety-third year, were also interred. Byron Kear remained, from his youth up, on the home farm, which he obtained in later years. He was married, April 24, 1853, to Eliza A. Clark, who was born in Delaware County, Ohio, December 23, 1836, a daughter of John and Caroline (Fisher) Clark, natives of New York. Her parents married in Delaware County, Ohio, and moved to Wyandot in 1839, settling in Crawford Township. The children of this family were Marion A., Martha A., James B., Isaac F., Albina E., Eliza A., John S., Caroline C. and Cicero; the latter and James B. now deceased. The mother died in April, 1849, the father, February 3, 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Kear are parents of three daughters-Ada C., born April 16, 1854; Emma E., February 11, 1858; Flora E., October 2, 1860, all living and married. Ada C. was united with I. B. Gibbs October 8, 1871; Emma was married to John Slatterback, November 18, 1875; Flora E. was made the wife of J. E. Gibbs July 24, 1879. In addition to the home farm in 1874 Mr. Kear purchased twenty-five acres, now owning 215 acres of valuable land. In May, 1864, he enlisted in Company D, One


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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.


Hundred and Forty-fourth Ohio National Guards, and served till Septem- ber, 1864, when he was honorably discharged. He and Mrs. Kear are members of the United Brethren Church. Mr. Kear is a member of the Masonic Lodge, a Republican and Prohibitionist.


DOCTOR KEAR, son of Moses and Jemima (Nathan) Kear, was born in this township February 10, 1833. He resided on the farm with his parents, becoming the owner of the premises in 1854. He was married, April 22, 1858, to Mary J. Crouse, who was born in Richland County, Ohio, January 16, 1836, the daughter of William and Eliza (Musselman) Crouse, natives of Pennsylvania and of German parentage. By this union one daughter, Leona Jane, was born, her death occurring at the age of eight years. Mrs. Kear passed from earth June 28, 1859. Our subject was married, March 21, 1861, to Miss Mary Brundage, who was born in Seneca County, Ohio, March 2, 1837, daughter of Thomas and Osee (Depue) Brun- dage, whose history appears elsewhere in this work. By this marriage, four children have been born- Osee L., Harriet E., Eliza J. and Lola M, the latter deceased. In 1872, Mr. Kear added 300 acres to the home farm, on which he still lives. He erected a good barn in 1873, a residence in 1877, and other buildings in 1882. He is a good farmer, a Republican in politics, Prohibitionist, and has served his township in various offices.


PETER C. KING, son of Peter and Mary (Whitney) King, was born in Perry County, Ohio. His parents were natives of Germany and Penn- sylvania respectively, married in Perry County, Ohio, in 1812, in the war of which year Mr. King entered soon after his marriage, and continued in the service till its close. He was the father of fourteen children-Saloma, Catharine, Rebecca, Lydia, Susan, Solomon, Mary, Peter C., David C., Loah, Elizabeth, John C., William C. and Frank C. Four are deceased- Solomon, Lydia, Susan and Saloma. The father died in 1859, aged seventy- six years; the mother, January 26, 1860, aged sixty-seven years. Peter C. King, the subject of this sketch remained at home on his father's farm and worked in his grist mill till his marriage to Caroline Long March 30, 1848. She was the eldest daughter of David and Sarah (Mechling) Long, and was born in Perry County October 16, 1829. Her parents were natives of Vir- ginia and Pennsylvania, of Gorman descent, and were married in Perry County, Ohio. Their children were Simon G., Caroline, Reuben and Han- nah, all deceased but Caroline. The father died June 19, 1833, aged thirty-one years; his widow married Michael Mechling, in Fairfield County, Ohio, and soon after moved to Perry County. They had eight children- Amos, Mahala, Franklin, Mary, Benjamin, Jesse and Martha. The father died February 14, 1866, aged fifty-six years. The mother passed away January 26, 1868. To Peter and Caroline King were born eight children -Benjamin F., March 23, 1849; Matilda A., May 9, 1851; Mary A., July 31, 1854; Sarah E., May 30, 1859; Alvin D., May 20, 1860; Ella May, January 12, 1863; Leefe E., December 12, 1865, and an infant daughter who was born July 6, 1864. Those now living are Mary A., Sarah E. and Leefe E. In 1848, soon after his marriage, cur subject loaded his "Pennsylvania wagon," and with two teams attached to it, started to this county. He halted in Pitt Township, April 21, on land purchased from his father a tract of eighty acres, and in a few yoars purchased eighty more on Section 10, where they resided till 1853. He then sold out and purchased 200 acres three miles northeast of Upper Sandusky, and in 1855 he sold this farm and purchased a saw and grist-mill on the Sandusky River, eight miles north of Sandusky. In 1864, Mr. King purchased his


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present farm of 161 acres, and added forty-five acres in 1871, and twenty- five acres in 1879. In 1881, Mr. King, with others, formed a cemetery association, and laid out a fine cemetery adjoining his farm, near the United Brethren Church. Mr. King is a Prohibitionist politically, and, with Mrs. K., is a member of the United Brethren Church.


HENRY LONG, proprietor of the "Gier House," Old Tymochtee, Ohio, was born December 15, 1842, in Mccutchenville, Ohio, and is the son of Jacob and Lydia (Eyler) Long, natives of Pennsylvania. They emi- grated to Ohio in about 1837, and settled in Mccutchenville, Ohio, where he followed the trade of shoe-making for several years. In 1845, he purchased fifty-six acres of land in Tymochtee Township, this county, upon which he settled, after clearing and building a log cabin, etc., in 1849. He reared a family consisting of four sons and five daughters-James, Margaret, Har- riet, Mary, John, Lucinda, Henry, Elizabeth and Wilson, of whom all are living with the exception of the two latter. The mother died in 1867, and the father in 1872. Our subject was married, in 1862, to Lydia C. Freet, of Tymochtee Township, this county, who was born in Loudoun County, Va., her parents being Henry D. and Lydia C. (Clise) Freet, natives of Virginia and of German descent. They emigrated to Ohio and settled in McCutch- enville, this county, where he followed the blacksmith trade, afterward moving to "Old Tymochtee." They raised a family of twelve children, of whom only four are living-Amanda A., Henry C., Lydia C. and George W. The parents are deceased-both interred in the Dunn Graveyard. To the union of Henry and Lydia C. Long have been born one son and one daughter-Carl Grant and Vistie A., both of whom are living. Our sub- ject rented farms for several years, then purchased property in "Old Ty- mochtee," subsequently purchasing the old tavern stand known as the Gier House in the above town, where he still lives, and his present occupation is farming and grain threshing. In 1882, he purchased 114 acres of land, which he is now improving, and which he values at $50 per acre. Polit. ically, he is a Democrat.


LEWIS LUPTON was born in this county September 1, 1844, and is a son of John K. and Barbara A. (Pontius) Lupton. His parents were mar- ried in this county, and both died here in 1882, the mother in February, the father in May. They had twelve children, eight yet living. Our subject was reared a farmer, and remained at home till 1864, when, being a member of the Ohio National Guards, he was called into service and served till August of the same year, when he was honorably discharged. He participated in the skirmish at Berryville, Va., and others of less importance, but escaped unin- jured. In 1865, he went to Missouri, but returned the same year. He was employed in various ways till his marriage to Miss Mary Sharp June 28, 1882. She was born in Crawford County, Ohio, and was born May 22, 1862. Her parents, Andrew and Rosa (Beck) Sharp, were natives of Ger- many, and emigrated in 1855. They settled in Crawford County, and reared a family of nine children, of whom six sons and two daughters sur- vive .. Mrs. Sharp died February 2, 1881. Soon after his marriage, Mr. Lupton became the owner of eighty acres of land on which he now resides, he improving his farm and devoting his attention to agriculture. Polit- ically, Mr. Lupton is a Republican.


HON. JOSEPH MCCUTCHEN, one of the most prominent and worthy pioneers of Wyandot, and one who in his day and generation did much to give the infant county that impetus to which it is so greatly indebted for its present status among its sister counties, was born in Harrison County, Ky.,


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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.


February 2, 1798, and came to what is now Wyandot County in 1827, settling first in Tymochtee, but afterward moving to what, through his enterprise, be- came the village of Mccutchenville, thus perpetuating the name of its worthy founder. Years before the Wyandots left for their new homes in the far West, Mr. Mccutchen was a pioneer in the then almost unbroken wilderness. Of an ardent and enterprising turn of mind, our subject was soon, by the force of his genius, looked up to by the pioneers, and was successively selected to be their Representative in the Legislature, and also as State Senator. He was also elected County Auditor. His occupation, which he pursued with the same zeal that distinguished all his career, was that of hotel-keeping. So great was his desire for public improvement that he frequently sacrificed his own means in the endeavor to do public good. In the spring of 1845, he removed to. Upper Sandusky, where, with the excep- tion of one year in California, he passed the remainder of his days. Al- though not a member of any religious body, he was a liberal supporter of the Presbyterian Church, the church of his fathers. During the late civil war, he enlisled in the cause of the Union, and served as Captain of a company. He was first married, in 1823, to Sarah Watt. of Ross County, Ohio; next, in 1826, to Letitia Britton, of Chillicothe, Ohio; and lastly, to Mrs. Keys, of Upper Sandusky. His decease occurred March 13, 1869, at the ripe old age of seventy-two years. Thus passed away, full of days and full of honors, beloved by all who knew him, Joseph Mccutchen, the worthy pioneer of old. Few of the early settlers had more prominence than Col. Mc- Cutchen. He took an active, aggressive position on all questions of local and general interest. His ambition was to lead, never follow, and in all the movements of early times around and about this locality, he was a cen- tral figure. His spirit and dash were subjects of remark, and although sometimes mistaken and ill-advised, yet the earnestness and candor spread over his efforts were plain in the understanding that if faults he had they were at least not of the heart. The deceased was of enthusiastic impulses, and guarded by a heart overflowing with human kindness. He could not hear of distress without offering assistance, and his neighborly acts were as common as his grateful nature. He was generous to a fault, assisting others at the risk of his own personal welfare. While this was yet Crawford County, he laid out the town which still bears his name, twelve miles north of Upper Sandusky, erected and managed there the first hotel of importance in this part of Ohio. He was a model landlord in every respect but the one that brings pecuniary success. If he had but one guest, that guest must feast like a king for the price then asked for a dinner. The matter of profit and loss was never taken into consideration when catering to the wants of the public as a landlord. Col. Mccutchen was a principal mover in securing the new county of Wyandot, and after the organization thereof removed to Upper Sandusky and engaged in mercantile business. He brought to this business the same old dash and vigor that marked his course in former years at Mccutchenville; but a man of his peculiar disposition, so full of sympathy and consideration for others, was not calculated to make a success- ful merchant, although he did an immense business. Up and until about the year 1853, Mr. McC. was a zealous Democrat, and an energetic worker; failing of success in that party, went over to the other side, and in Know- Nothing times was elected County Auditor. It was during his term as Auditor that he planted the shade trees that now ornament the court house square. These beautiful shade trees attest his enterprise, and are tributes to his memory. After leaving the Auditor's Office, at the end of a two years'


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term, he purchased the Bates House, in this place, that stood where now stands the Hudson House. He managed this hotel for several years, with the same enterprise that marked his course in Mccutchenville, and while his house became very popular, and was the delight of the traveling public, it was not a source of profit. It could not be, with Mack's lavish expend- itures in the interests of his guests. Shortly after retiring from the hotel, he entered the army, and was in active service. He was truly a re- markable man, of rare and pleasing conversational powers, in which he never failed to exhibit a nature that was all fiber, and was intense on everything he undertook. He was the very man to develop a new county, as his energy and irresistible force spread their influence over all. He carried with him to the last the admiration of our people, and his somewhat sudden and lamentable death threw a cloud of gloom over our people. He was a grand man, who had spread benefits over all who came within his presence, even at a personal sacrifice. No name is more feelingly referred to in the his- tory of Wyandot County than that of Col. Mccutchen .*


JOEL MILUM, a native of this township, was born September 18, 1837, He is a son of Adam and Mary (Bogart) Milum, natives of Highland and Lancaster Counties, Ohio. They were married in this county, and had six children-Jane, Sarah, Mary, Joel, George and Adam. Mary, Joel and George are now the only living. The father died in September, 1844, the mother is still living, now in her seventy-third year. Mr. Milum was mar- ried, March 2, 1858, to Miss Lydia Ekleberry, who was born in this town- ship July 12, 1837. She was a daughter of Ezekiel and Mary (Tobridge) Ekleberry, who were married in Muskingum County, Ohio, and moved to Wyandot about 1833 or 1834. Their children were Jacob, John, Nathan, Ezekiel, Jane, David, Isaac, Margaret and Levi (twins), and Lydia. Those deceased are John and Ezekiel. The father and mother are both de- ceased. Mr. and Mrs. Milum have had seven children-Leonard, George Abraham, Jay, Ida M., Charlie, and an infant daughter, deceased. Mr. Milum rented land for several years after his marriage, but in 1866 pur- chased forty acres in this township, where he now resides. He added twen- ty -seven acres in 1870, twenty-seven acres in 1871, thirty acres in 1873, eighty-five acres in 1880, and forty-six acres in 1881-now owning 256 acres. He follows general agriculture chiefly, but has given considerable attention to shipping stock. He enlisted October 4, 1864, in Company D, Twenty-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and took part in the en- gagement at Honey Hill, being honorably discharged November 3, 1865. He is a member of the G. A. R., and one of the most stirring farmers of Tymochtee Township.


MILES A. MITTEN was born in Seneca County, Ohio, November 30, 1842. He is a son of Miles and Rebecca (Coughlan) Mitten, natives of Maryland, and of mixed parentage-German, Irish and English. His parents married in Maryland, and in 1838 moved to Ohio, locating in Seneca County. In 1843, they moved to this county and settled in Eden Town- ship, moving to Tymochtee in 1856. They had seven children, the five liv- ing are named as follows: John T., James L., William A., Joseph H. and Miles A. Two daughters are deceased. The father died in September, 1865. At his father's death, our subject received the home farm of 160 acres. He was married in February, 1866, to Josephine Pecher, who was born in Seneca County, Ohio, September 24, 1846, daughter of Stephen J. and Julia A. (Emlet) Pecher, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German and


*Contributed.


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HISTORY OF WYANDOT COUNTY.


English parentage. Her parents married in Stark County, Ohio, moved to Seneca County, and there reared their children -- Margaret A., Agnes, Jose- phine, Joseph W., Lucretia J., Cleophas A. and Pius S. Mr. and Mrs. Mitten have had nine children; their names as follows: John E., Emily C., Miles S., Anna B. J., Joseph E., Gilbert R., Mark F., Eliza E. and an infant. The latter, Amanda and John E. now deceased. Mr. Mitten has never moved from the homestead. He added seventy-six acres to the old farm, and now has a fine farm of 236 acres well-stocked and improved. He is a stanch Democrat, and, with his wife, a member of the Catholic Church.


JOHN F. MYERS was born in Cumberland County, Penn., April 11, 1842. He is the eldest son of Jerry and Mary J. (Magethon) Myers, who were born and married in Pennsylvania, and who moved to this county in 1847, and settled at Mccutchenville. The children were John F., Robert and Joseph. The father died in Cincinnati; the mother is still a resident of Cumberland County, Penn. Mr. Myers was reared in this coun- ยท ty by his grandparents on the farm. He enlisted May 10, 1861, in Company G, Fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and passed through many of the heaviest battles-Rich Mountain, Romney, Winchester, Woodstock, Port Republic, a seven-day battle at Richmond, and many others of less importance, serving till honorably discharged in August, 1863. Mr. Myers then returned home and resumed farming. He was married, May 24, 1865, to Eliza C. Freet, who was born at Mccutchenville July 28, 1849, a daugh- ter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Trammel) Freet, natives of Virginia. Nine children are the fruits of this union, namely. Irvin R., Zoa R., Nora A., Freety S., Henry C., Abbey F., May M., Ella F. and an infant daughter. Three are deceased-Henry C., Freety S. and May M. Mr. Myers farmed rented land for several years, purchasing in 1874 seventy acres, on which he now lives. He is a Democrat, and has served as Township Trustee; is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Mccutchenville, and of the G. A. R. at Upper Sandusky.


ABRAHAM A. NIEBEL was born in Union County, Penn., July 31, 1839, and is a son of Enos and Mary (Aurand) Niebel, natives of Pennsyl- vania and of German parentage. His parents came to Ohio in 1840, and located in this township, where his father still resides with his second wife, his first wife having passed away in April, 1846, leaving five children, of whom four now are living --- Abraham A., Catharine, John H. and Abner. Our subject was married to Miss Anna M. C. Holdeman May 18, 1869; she was born in Morrow County, Ohio, September 19, 1847, the daughter of Henry and Lydia (Ettinger) Holdeman, who were natives of Ohio and Pennsyl- vania respectively. Her parents married in Richland County, Ohio; moved to Morrow County and there reared their children-Elah, Ann M. C., Will- iam W., Amanda A., Reuben J., Daniel J., Sarah Irena and Ulyses G., all living now but Elah. The parents still live on the old homestead, which was left Mr. Holdeman by his father. Mr. Niebel was reared a farmer. In 1870, he purchased fifty acres in this township, and in 1881 he added ten acres more. His farm is highly improved and valued at $80 to $90 per acre. He spent one year in the Northwestern College of Plainfield, Ill .- 1866-67- and taught the following year in the county; he has two children -Ida Elnora, born March 10, 1871, and Orville Jay, September 22, 1873. He is a Republican-Prohibitionist, and, with Mrs. Niebel, a member of the Evangelical Church at Mexico.


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TYMOCHTEE TOWNSHIP.


HENRY PARKER was born in Lycoming County, Penn, January 8, 1817; he is a son of William and Rachel (Compton) Parker, natives of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and of Scotch and German parentage re- spectively. His parents married in the above county in 1810; moved to Ross County, Ohio, 1818, and in 1834 to this township, where they purchased a farm. Their children were Charlotte, John C., Joseph, Henry, Charles, William, Delilah A., Susan and Eliza J. Those now living are Joseph, Susan and Henry. The parents are both deceased. Henry Parker staid on the home farm till twenty-seven years of age; he was married, February 26, 1843, to Hannah B. Walker, who was born in Lancaster, Ohio, Novem- ber 1, 1825, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Newman) Walker, who were natives of Pennsylvania and New York respectively, who married in Fair- field County, Ohio, and moved to this county in 1834. They settled in this township but moved to Upper Sandusky later. Their children were Han- nah B., Ellen, Eliza, Edward F., Sarah E., Maria and Louisa. The father died in 1849, the mother in 1874. Our subject rented land for several years, and in 1851 purchased forty-four acres, obtaining thirty-one acres from his father's estate in 1856. He has since made several other addi- tions, and now has 143} acres of well-improved land provided with good buildings, fences, etc. Mr. and Mrs. Parker are parents of eight children -Charlotte, Theodore W., Emily J., Joseph D., Louis H., Edward E., Elmer E. and Olive M. The deceased are Charlotte, Louis H. and Elmer. Mr. Parker is a strong adherent to the principles of Democracy, and has served his township in several offices.


ANDREW PONTIUS was born in Ross County, Ohio, December 15, 1818. He is the eldest son of Solomon and Rachel (Wells) Pontius, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Hagerstown, Md. His parents moved from Ross County in 1834, and located in the woodland of Sycamore Township, this county, where they erected a log cabin and spent the remainder of their days. Their children bore the following respective names: Barbara, Andrew, Elizabeth, Susan, Rezin, Mary A., David, Sarah A., Benjamin, all living, excepting Barbara, Elizabeth and Susan. His father died in 1867; his mother passed away in 1878. Mr. Pontius was married, March 3, 1840, to Lucinda Bretz, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, January 30, 1820. She was a daughter of Conrad and Susanna (Fore- man) Bretz, who were born and married in Pennsylvania. Her parents moved from their native State, and settled first in Fairfield County, Ohio, moving to this county in 1835. They had nine children-Christiana, Peter, Lydia, Anna, Noah, Barbara, Lucinda, Eli and Andrew J. Three are de- ceased-Christiana, Noah and Barbara. The parents are also deceased. Mr. Pontius was reared a farmer from boyhood. In 1840, he became owner of 160 acres of timber land in this township, where he still resides. He erected a log cabin on this farm, and during the first six years of his resi- dence thereon he put sixty acres under cultivation. Mr. and Mrs. Pontius are parents of eleven children-Sylvester, was born May 31, 1841; Diana, December 15, 1842; Maretta S., August 14, 1844; Rachel M., November 20, 1846; Simeon P., September 30, 1848; Rufus D., December 10, 1850; Rella, October 31, 1852; David R., October 7, 1855; Addison M., December 27, 1857; Cintha E., May 26, 1860; Oliver H., February 9, 1866. Cintha E., died January 1, 1869; the others are all living. Mr. Pontius was an old Whig, and is now a Republican-Prohibitionist. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, and, with Mrs. Pontius, of the Methodist Episcopal Church.




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