History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. II, Part 41

Author: Roberts, Charles Rhoads; Stoudt, John Baer, 1878- joint comp; Krick, Thomas H., 1868- joint comp; Dietrich, William Joseph, 1875- joint comp; Lehigh County Historical Society
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Allentown, Pa. : Lehigh Valley Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 948


USA > Pennsylvania > Lehigh County > History of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania and a genealogical and biographical record of its families, Vol. II > Part 41


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Mr. Kreitz was also one of the organizers of the Blue Valley Slate Co., and he has since served as a director, the company employing sixty- five men ; and he is interested in the Pennsylva- nit Slate Co. of which he is likewise a director, the employees numbering fifty men. In politics, Mr. Kreitz is a Democrat and he is one of the recognized leaders of the Democratic party in the county. In 1897 he was elected to the office of Clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions and he served a term of three years. Previously he had filled the office of borough assessor for four


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years. He is affiliated with the Barger Lodge No. 333, F. and A. M., Allentown ; also with the P. O. S. of A., at Slatington. Since 1898, his residence has been at Allentown at 17 So. Madi- son street.


Mr. Kreitz was married in 1888 to Annie M. Neff, daughter of the lately deceased county commissioner E. B. Neff. She died in 1896. They had three children: William (who died in infancy), Hilda L. (who was graduated from the Slatington high school in 1910, and has been assisting her father as his bookkeeper and also as secretary of the Pennsylvania Slate Co.), and Marion M. (who is engaged in the millinery business at Slatington). He and the family are members of the Reformed church. In 1898 he married a second wife, Bertha M. Becker, daug- ter of the late W. A. Becker and Alevesta Bos- sard, his wife.


Mr. Kreitz was one of the charter members of the Allentown, Slatington, and Slatington & Slatedale Trolley Companies.


CRESSMAN FAMILY.


The ancestor of this family came from Saxony to America about 1733, and settled in Philadel- phia county, where he spent what of life remained to him. It is known that he had a son named Christian, who was born in what is now Mont- gomery county, April 13, 1753, and who died Dec. 5, 1827. He was married on Apr. 20, 1778, to Elizabeth Metzger, born Nov. 23, 1756. Their children were:


Mary, born May 5, 1779. John, born Feb. 6, 1781. Christian, born Oct. 4, 1782. 1795. Jacob. born Jan. 15,


Elizabeth, born Apr. 15, I793. Catharine, born Nov. 23,


Abraham, born Jan. 24, 1785. 1798.


Jonas, born Nov. 5, 1787. George, born Nov. 29, 1790.


The old family Bible has, after the birth of Jonas, the fifth child, the following insertion : "All children were born in Franconia township."


John Cressman, the oldest son of Christian, settled in Mount Bethel township, Northampton county. He may have been a miller, as several of his sons had been millers. His children were: Michael, Joseph, Abraham, born in 1817, died in 1893 in Moore township. He was the father of Rev. J. J. Cressman. a Lutheran minister who resides at Kutztown since 1876; John, Christian, Henry, Mrs. Young and Mrs. Engler.


Christian, the second son, also settled in Mount Bethel township, and from these two brothers the Cressmans of Northampton county descended. Christian had the following children: John,


Jacob, William, Samuel, Catharine, Sarah and Caroline.


Abraham, the third son, settled in Durham township, Montgomery county, and he had chil- dren: Christian, Abraham, William, John, Jacob, Hannah and Catharine.


Jonas, the fourth son, lived and died in Bucks county. He was the father of the following chil- dren: Nathan, Charles, Aaron who had Emeline (Kunsman), John, Jonas and Mary ( Himmel- wright) ; Peter, Rachel, Sarah and Elizabeth.


George, the fifth son, lived in Springfield township, Bucks county, and was the father of Isaac, James, David, Joseph, Henry, Ezra, Maria and Charlotte.


Jacob, the youngest son of Christian, died some years after his marriage, being the father of these children : Jacob, Samuel and William.


Jacob Cressman, son of Jacob, son of Christian, was born March 21, 1826, and died on April 12, 1898, aged 72 years and 21 days. His wife, Mary Ann, was born March 11, 1826, and died on July 5, 1906, in her 8Ist year. He was a resident of Shoenersville where he is also buried. They had children as follows: Mrs. Theresa Kurtz, who died in 1912 at Bethlehem, Pa., C. O. and Oliver H.


OLIVER H. CRESSMAN, citizen of Shoeners- ville, was born near Bethlehem, in Lehigh county, Nov. 16, 1862. He was educated in the public schools and Weaversville academy. He began farming his father's homestead at Shoenersville after the latter had died in 1898, and there he continued until in 1905, then moved into the resi- dence he now occupies. Mr. Cressman has been the organist of the Christ Union Sunday school since 1885 and of Christ Union Church since 1889, up to the present. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran congregation of the above church. Socially he is a member of the J. O. U. A. M., and in politics is a Democrat. He is supervisor of the upper district of Hanover since 1911, having succeeded his brother C. O. Cressman.


On March 28, 1891, he married Clara J. More, a daughter of William and E. Rebecca (Frankenfield) More and a sister of Rev. Wilson F. More, superintendent of the Orphans' Home, at Wormelsdorf, Pa. Mr. and Mrs. Cressman had an only daughter, Annie Irene, who died aged seven weeks.


HON. HUGH E. CRILLY.


James Crilly, born in Ireland, came to this country in early manhood, bringing his wife and children with him. His first place of resi- dence here was in Lawrence, Massachusetts, from whence he removed to Phillipsburg, New Jersey,


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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.


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subsequently to Catasauqua, Pennsylvania, and finally to Allentown, Lehigh county, Pennsyl- vania, where they lived on Second street. He was engaged in the general contracting business with his sons. Mr. Crilly married in Ireland, Mary McDonald, a native of that country.


Hon. Hugh E. Crilly, son of James and Mary (McDonald) Crilly, was born in County Armagh, Ireland, August 18, 1852. He attended the public schools of Catasauqua until August, 1865, at which time the family removed to Al- lentown. He was but a young lad when he com- menced working in the rolling mills and, having learned the trade of finishing, followed this occu- pation until 1879. He then became associated with his father and with his brother, James H. Crilly, in the general contracting business, and the majority of the more important improvements made in Allentown and the adjoining country since that time have been due to his energy and constructive power. Bridges, railroads and trol- ley lines have claimed the greater part of his time but he has also been connected with con- tract work in various other directions. While a member of this firm the contract for constructing the sewers on Linden street was carried out, and several others of a similar nature in various sec- tions of the city. The sewers of Bethlehem, and the approach to the Linden street bridge, were among the number of contracts fulfilled. In 1884 Hugh E. Crilly withdrew from this firm, his election as a member of the State Legislature in- terfering with his activity in that direction, and he served as a member of this honorable body for two consecutive terms. He was appointed a mem- ber of a number of committees, among them being : Education, Military, Judiciary, and Mines and Mining. Declining the honor of re-election, he resumed his work as a contractor, and has since been identified with it, to the great advan- tage of the city. He constructed the first elec- tric railway in Allentown in 1891, performing this work under a contract with the Industrial Improvement Company, of Boston. The next undertaking was the electric road from Allentown to Catasauqua, which was followed by one from the last mentioned town to Coplay, in 1891. In 1892 he built a line for the same company, in South Bethlehem, and followed this by con- structing a trolley line from Pottstown to Ring- ing Rock Park, Montgomery county, financing the last named enterprise himself. This was but one of many he subsequently himself financed, and it was no unusual thing for him to sell them after completion. In 1894 he re-organized the Lancaster Railway Construction Company, took over the electric lines running from that city, and built lines from Lancaster to Lititz, and from


Lancaster to New Holland. The following year he built and financed the trolley line from Read- ing to Womelsdorf, and in 1896, reconstructed a large section of the electric trolley system at Reading. In 1896 he also constructed the road from Wilmington, Delaware, to New Castle, in the same state. In association with John H. Pas- coe, he constructed the bridge at Freemansburg in 1897, and also commenced the trolley line to Hel- lertown, which was purchased by the Allentown system not long after its completion. Among other roads built by Hon. Hugh E. Crilly are the following: Allentown to Macungie, Allen- town to Slatington, Slatington to Slatedale, Allen- town to Philadelphia, Allentown to South Beth- lehem, Lehighton to Mauch Chunk, Egypt to Levans, and South Bethlehem to Friedensville. In the course of the construction of these trolley lines, it has been nothing unusual for Mr. Crilly to have from four to five hundred men in his employ at one time, and his executive ability is of so high an order that his contracts have not been affected by labor troubles to such an extent as is frequently the case with undertakings of this nature.


The interest which has always been displayed by Hugh E. Crilly in the growth and develop- ment of Allentown is one which ought not be underestimated. Not alone the business enter- prises have claimed his attention and thought, but the political welfare of the city, and its numer- ous institutions have been given a due share, and have benefited accordingly. He represented the Sixth ward of the city in select council for a period of six years, during which he was in office as president of this body, and was the young- est man ever thus honored in Allentown. From 1880 up to the time the new school code went into effect in 1911, he was a member of the Board of Education of Allentown. February 3, 1911, the State School Directors' Association, in conven- tion assembled at Harrisburg, elected Mr. Crilly as vice-president of their association, an honor to him and to the city. The Bellevue Hotel, one of the largest in the county, was built by Mr. Crilly in 1902, and the Crilly mansion, at the corner of Ridge avenue and Liberty street, was erected by him in 1904-5. He has always given his staunch support to the Democratic party, and he was a candidate for the office of mayor in 1902 but defeated by a small majority. He and his family are devout members of the Roman Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception, and are among its most generous supporters.


Hugh E. Crilly married, in 1887, Mary A., born in County Donegal, Ireland, a daughter of Francis and Mary (O'Donnel) Cannon. They have had children: Mary C., who died in in-


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fancy ; Hugh E., Jr. At the writing of this article, 1914, Mr. Crilly is still engaged in the con- tracting business, associated with the Freeland Construction Company of Luzerne county, Pa. as chief of construction in the building of im- proved highways for the above county.


CROLL FAMILY.


Sometime during the first half of the eighteenth century, Philip Croll emigrated from Germany to this country and settled in Montgomery county, Pa. He had four children, whose names in order of birth, are: Christian, Henry, Mich- ael and Polly. The first of these married and continued his residence in the same locality. The second son, Henry, married a Miss Gilbert and then removed to Allegheny county, near Pitts- burgh, Pa., where he farmed. The third son, Michael, married Rebecca Geiger, and shortly after removed to Greenwich township, Berks Co., Pa. Polly, the youngest child of Philip, married Jacob Esser, of Kutztown.


The children of Henry Croll were Joseph, John, Lydia, George, Michael, David, Addie, Henry. About 1808 Joseph Croll, son of Henry, of Al- legheny county, a young man of about 16 years of age, was induced to join his uncle Michael from whom he learned the farmer's trade. In 1813 he married Elizabeth, daughter of John and Barbara (Tressler) Schlenker. Later he abandoned his trade and worked as day laborer, subsequently acquiring a few acres of ground near Krumsville, where he died March 22, 1847. The children were: John; Addie (married to Jacob Behler, of near Hamburg) ; Joseph (de- ceased, married to Elizabeth Miller, of near Pine Grove) ; Henry C. (deceased; married first to Lydia Kistler, and then to Sarah A. Seip, late of Endora, Douglass township) ; Samuel (died when young) ; Michael (married to Mary A. Frederick, last of Lyons, Berks Co.) ; Mary and Sarah, twins(the former dying unmarried, and the latter married to Benjamin Burkey, late of Greenwich township) ; Regina (married to Jacob Roth, late of Zion's Hill, Bucks Co.) ; William (married to Sarah E. Shupp, late of Manitowoc on Lake Michigan) ; Catharine A.


John, the first born of Joseph and Elizabeth Croll, was born near Grimsville, Berks Co., Pa., May 19, 1814. After receiving but limited schooling, he learned the tailor's trade, which he followed until in 1853. He removed to near Schnecksville, Lehigh county, where he bought 20 acres of land, which he tilled and followed his trade. In Oct., 1837, he married Catharine, daughter of David DeLong. Their children were: Rev. Alfred DeLong (born June 25, 1838, and died June 19, 1876; married to Alice


C., daughter of Dr. Lesher Trexler) ; Hiram (born March 11, 1841, and married to Adalina Rockel) ; Martin S. (born Aug. 19, 1844, and married to Elizabeth A., daughter of Jonas Grim, of Topton) ; Silas G .; Cyrenius G. (born Sept. 27, 1849, and married to Alice Burkhalter, of Frankfort, Ind.) ; Elmira E. (born June 8, 1851, and married to the late Tilghman Bittner, of Bittner's Corner, Lehigh Co.) ; Rev. Philip C. (born Oct. 2, 1852, married to Sallie A., daughter of Philip Greiss, of Alburtis) ; Pris- cilla S. (born Nov. 22, 1855, married to Oliver C. Rohrbach, of Topton).


SILAS GOTTLIEB, fourth son of John and Cath- arine Croll, was born near Kutztown, Berks Co., Pa., Sept. 12, 1846. After he had attended public schools, he, in April, 1867, left the farm to attend a term at Freeland Seminary, now Ursinus College, in Montgomery county. After- wards he learned the trade of miller at Phillips- burg, N. J. His stay here was brief, as in the spring of 1868 he was employed as foreman by Jacob Zimmerman, of Lynn Valley. In Sept., 1873, he removed to Trexlertown, Lehigh Co., where he has resided ever since. Here he entered the employ of the Lehigh Grain, Coal and Lum- ber Co. for 5 years. This firm being succeeded by Wm. B. Fogel, Mr. Croll continued in his em- ployment for 5 years more. In 1877 his brother and himself established as S. G. Croll and Co. the grain, coal and lumber business at Farm- ington. This firm continued for years, when Silas Croll formed a partnership with Stephen Acker, of East Texas, under the name of Croll & Acker, doing business at Trexlertown for 10 years. In 1887 Messrs. S. G. Croll and Frank Gernert engaged in the hardwood lumber business under the name of Croll & Gernert, which continued until the latter's death, since which time Mr. Croll personally continues the business. He, to- gether with John Y. Schultz, are the founders and operators of the Trexlertown Knitting Mills. He is a Democrat, and was poor director for 6 years, school director and treasurer for super- visors for 4 years ; is justice of the peace of Upper Macungie township since 1888, having been re- elected five times. He is a member of the Luth- eran Church, which he served as deacon and elder, is treasurer of the Trexlertown Lodge, No. 326 F. & A. M. since 1887. In 1868 Mr. Croll married Josephine E., only daughter of David and Elizabeth Acker, of Trexlertown. Three children have sprung from this union: Alfred D., of Allentown; Mamie I., married to Robert Guth, John P., a graduate from Lehigh University and at present civil engineer for the Pennsylvania Steel Works, at Steelton.


Joseph Croll, son of Henry, was born in 1792,


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HISTORY OF LEHIGH COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.


near Pittsburgh, Pa. He attended the common schools. At the age of sixteen he went to reside with his uncle, Michael Croll, and with whom he learned the tanner's trade. Working at his trade, with his uncle, until he became of legal age, he followed this vocation for some years, after which he became a day laborer. He pur- chased a home with a few acres attached, near Krumsville. He died March 22, 1847. He married in 1813, Elizabeth Schlenker, daughter of John and Barbara (Tressler) Schlenker. She died in 1872, and interment was made in the old Croll's churchyard, by the side of her husband. Issue: John, born May 19, 1814; Addie, born Feb. 18, 1816; Joseph, born Nov. 3, 1817; Henry C., born April 29, 1820; Samuel, born Jan. 20, 1822; Michael (history follows) ; Mary and Sarah, twins, born Sept. 7, 1826; David, born March 24, 1829; Rufina, born April 7, 1831; William born March 24, 1833, and Catherine Amanda, born Feb. 4, 1836.


Michael Croll, the fifth son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Schlenker) Croll, was born July 14, 1824. He attended the subscription schools of that period during the winter terms. At an early age he was engaged as a farm hand in Maxatawny township, then learned the tailor trade with his brother, John.


He then conducted a tailoring business in Windsor township for two years, then removed to Zion's Hill, Bucks county, carrying on the trade for nine years; removed from thence to Milford Square, Bucks county, and later to other localities, eventually settling down in 1869 at Lyons Berks county, where he purchased a home- stead, there following his calling up to the time of his decease. He was a member of the Luth- eran Church; was noted for his devotion to his family. He died March 4, 1880, and was in- terred in the Zion's Church cemetery.


Michael Croll married, June 13, 1847, Mary E. Frederick, who during her last years made her home in Allentown. Issue: James Adam, (history follows) ; Amelia M., born Feb. 20, 1850, died May 13, 1850; Mantileus Cyrus, born May 9, 1851 ; Onopirus Frederick, born July 18, 1853, died Sept. 2, 1854; Jane Cather- ine, born July 13, 1855; Adeline, born May 4, 1858; and Clymence, born July 5, 1860, the two latter named reside with their brother, James Adam Croll; Mantileus C., married July 20, 1875, Rebecca M. Goho; Jane C., married Aus- tin A. Fisher, a farmer, residing near Monterey, Pa.


JAMES ADAM CROLL, eldest son of Michael and Mary E. (Frederick) Croll, was born Aug. II, 1848. He attended the public schools of his neighborhood during his young boyhood, alter-


nated by working for vicinity farmers, as he was very eager to acquire a good education. In 1866 he was attending the Kutztown Normal School, and later the Zion Valley Institute and still later, the Millersville State Normal School, in Lancaster county. After graduation he became a teacher in Bucks and Lehigh county schools, also in a summer normal school. He conducted success- ively, a flour and feed business (1869-'70), then a music and sewing machine store, in Allentown, having become a resident in 1874. He having disposed of his store, then taught the duck farm school near Allentown, for two years. He next entered the employment of L. P. Peters, a baker on 7th street, selling his goods in Bethle- hem and vicinity, continuing this work for four years. He then conducted a similar business, on his own account at Bethlehem for two years, then sold out. He next took up the baking busi- ness with Christian Hohl, in Allentown, and the firm continued the business for seventeen years. Mr. Croll then sold his interest to George E. Rabich, and the new firm became wholesalers. Mr. Croll bought their products in quantities, disposing of the same in Allentown and vicinity, and eventually his trade became very extensive. He has been an active member of the United Evangelical Church for upwards of forty years, now being the steward thereof and also treasurer of the Sunday school. He is an earnest temper- ance advocate and has also been a member of the state and county committees ; was treasurer of the city committee for five years. His home life has been an ideal one.


James Adam Croll married Feb. 22, 1872, Elmira M. Bergenstock, who died May 5, 1912, and was interred in the West End Cemetery. She was a very domestic woman, a devoted wife and mother and a sincere Christian. Their chil- dren were: Jennie May; Arthur M. and two who died in infancy. Jennie M. married Erwin E. Peters, at Allentown (now deceased ). Issue : Bertine E. Peters. Arthur M. Croll, married (first) Emma Mayers (deceased). Issue: Dor- othy E .; Marshall; LeRoy. Arthur M. Croll married (second) Leda P. Billig. Issue: Nina Violet and Margaret Emma Croll.


CULBERTSON FAMILY.


John L. Culbertson, a resident of Whitehall township, was a lieutenant in the U. S. army. His son, James M., was born near Hoffmans- ville, Whitehall township. He was educated in the public schools and upon attaining man- hood he first was engaged in the iron ore busi- ness and later was connected with the Thomas Iron Co. He next came to Allentown, becoming connected with Samuel Engleman, crockery deal-


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er. After leaving Mr. Engleman, he established the firm of Yeager & Culbertson (now Yeager & Co.). Then selling his interest, he engaged in the silverware and lamp business at 810 Hamil- ton street, which he conducted for eleven years. He then engaged in the insurance business for a period, then became associated with J. B. King, as manufacturers' agents for chemical apparatus, for Holliday & Co., of Baltimore. He continued in this business up to the time of his decease. In politics he was a Republican; in religion a mem- ber of Trinity Reformed church; also of the Sons of Veterans. He was a councilman 1882- 1883. He died at the age of 60 years.


James M. Culbertson married Eliza, daughter of Thomas Yundt. She died at the age of 37 years. Interment of both Mr. and Mrs. Cul- bertson was in the Union cemetery, Allentown. Issue : Tennie, who married John Dressler, of Allentown; John T., (sketch follows) ; James P .; Bessie, married Fred C. Peters, of Lancaster, Pa .; Alice, resides with her sister, Mrs. John Dressler.


JOHN T. CULBERSTON, the oldest son of James M. and Eliza (Yundt) Culbertson, was born Nov. 27, 1878, at Allentown. He attend- ed the public and high schools of Allentown, and after attaining a suitable age was employed in the Givernaud Silk Mill, and learned the trade of spinner, continuing here for ten years. On Nov. 10, 1910, he engaged in his present busi- ness, viz .: pool, billiards and bowling alleys at 1103 Hamilton St. He is connected with the following organizations: K. of P., Knights of Friendship, Slatington Lodge; Sons of Veterans; Queen City Fire Co., and the Reformed Church.


John T. Culbertson married in 1903 Laura M., daughter of James and Louise Kleintop.


HARRY L. CUNNINGHAM.


Harry L. Cunningham, chief engineer of the Homeopathic State Hospital, was born at Eck- ley, Luzerne county, Sept. 9, 1869. His father, Peter B. Cunningham, was born near Coleraine, county Londonderry, Ireland, Nov. 12, 1834, and came to America in 1854. He settled at Eckley, where he was a patternmaker and had charge of putting up pit props in the coal mines for E. B. Coxe & Co. He was master car- penter for this firm for about 20 years, when he removed to Freeland, where he conducted a wheelwright and blacksmith shop. In 1875, he removed to Allentown, in order to give his sons a better education, where he entered into partnership with Avon Barnes, as the Allentown Platform Company, in which he continued un- til his death. He was the inventor of what is now known as the steering knuckle joint for


steering automobiles. He was a member of the First Presbyterian church, where he served many years as an elder, and was a Republican in poli- tics. He resided many years at 136 South Fifth street, until he built his late home at 1442 Wal- nut street, where he died Jan. 27, 1912, and was " buried in Fairview cemetery. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and of the Scottish Rite Consistory. He married, in April, 1854, Mary A. Crawford, who died Nov. 15, 1906. She was the daughter of James and Elizabeth (Stewart) Crawford, of Coleraine, Ireland, of Scottish descent. Their children were: James S., first honor man of Lehigh University, class of 1878, now mining and civil engineer for the Berwind-White Soft Coal Co., of Charleston, W. Va., who married Mary, daughter of Rev. George Hammer; John P., a wheelwright, of Scranton, who married Myra Grau; William C., a traveling salesman, Captain of Co. I, Sec- ond Regiment, N. G. P., who died in 1901, aged 42 years; Harry L .; Mary Crawford, and E. Gertrude, single, who reside in the homestead, and four children, who died in infancy.


Harry L. Cunningham was educated in the Allentown schools and Muhlenberg preparatory school, after which he was employed for one year by his father. In 1892 he entered the Penna. R. R. car shops at Altoona, where he learned the trade of a machinist, and in 1896 returned to Allentown and engaged in the man- ufacture of cash registers with his father-in- law, C. M. Morford, in which he continued until they sold their patents to the Lennox Mfg. Co., of Catasauqua. He then became a machin- ist with the Bethlehem Steel Company and had charge of general repairs in the drop forge de- partment. On Sept. 1, 1911, he became chief engineer of the Homeopathic state hospital at Rittersville, having fourteen men in his depart- ment. Mr. Cunningham is a member and a trustee of the American Order of Stationary Engineers, I. O. O. F., Red Men, and of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Republican in politics and has served as city committeeman. He married, in 1896, Adella Marie, daughter of Charles M. and Mary J. (Seem) Morford, and they have two children, Charles Morford and George Blair Cunningham.




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