USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > Lykens > Lykens-Williams Valley history - directory and pictorial review. Embracing the entire Lykens and Williams Valley, in the effort to preserve the past and perpetuate the present. > Part 10
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ARTHUR BRUCE MORRIS LYRENS, P'A.
Arthur Bruce Morris, born in Lykens, son of William H. and Martha J. Morris, (nee Minnich) has been a resident of Lykens
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SAMUEL E. DEITRICH Lykens, Pa.
JAS. D. HELT Lykens, Pa.
Lykens, Pa. REV. W. C. ESBENSHADE, A. M.
DR. J. N. BAKER Lykens. Pa.
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practically all his life save two years when his parents resided at Greensburg. Was a pupil of the Lykens Public School until he graduated from the grammar grade when he entered the employ of Samuel B. Coles & Son, publishers of the Lykens Standard in which office he started in the capacity of "devil." After eight years he became the Managing Editor of the paper and is serving in that capacity to this time
Mr. Morris is well-known thruout the entire Upper End of Dauphin County. He was connected with various organ- izations as their chairman of various events held at tihs place. among them being the Home-Coming Celebration of the World War Veterans, held under the direction of Washington Camp. No. 238, P. O. S. of A., of which organization he is a Past Pres- ident. June 26, 1919, he entered the service of the United States in the World War and after eight months of service attained the rank of Sergeant-Major, being discharged from the service, March 1st, 1920.
CHARLES M. COLES
LYKENS, PA.
Mr. Coles was born in Lykens. Pa., and is a son of the late Samuel B. Coles, pioneer of newspaperdom in this valley. Mr. Coles attended the Lykens High School, from which he entered the South Broad Street Conservatory of Music. Philadelphia, grad uating from that place in 1890. For twenty years following he taught musie in and around Lykens and Wieonisco: in 1910 associating himself with his father in the newspaper business. publishing the Lykens Standard. Mr. Coles upon the death of his father on September 26, 1916 continued to publish the paper and since that time has made very rapid and progressive strides. He has added to the job printing department more modern machinery, greatly faciliating himself for more output. In 1921 he erected a modern, model printing plant, one not to be seen elsewhere between Harrisburg and Pottsville, of which the community is well proud.
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HARRY FORMAN Lykens, Pa.
LEWIS A. HOFFMAN Lykens, Pa.
CHARLES L. BAUM Lykens, Pa.
GEO. W. PARFET Lykens, Pa.
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CHARLES J. PRICE
LYKENS, P.A.
Mr. Price, the present District State Coal Inspector, was born in Wales .. He came to America at the age of five years and engaged in and about the mines in Tioga County, until 1875, when he came to Lykens, from which time he has been a resident. January 1, 1906 he was appointed District Mine Inspector, and enjoys the distinction of being the only Dauphin Countian to have ever attained that position. He is a director of the Miners' Deposit Bank and is a valuable assistant to all loeal civie and community enterprises.
CHARLES SPIEKERMANN LYKENS, PA.
Mr. Spiekermann was born in Ashland, Schuylkill County. HIe entered the hotel business in Minersville, coming to Lykens about twelve years ago. After a brief absence he again re- turned to Lykens in 1917 as proprietor of the Commercial Hotel, in which business he is still engaged. Mr. Spiekermann is a practical hotel manager having gained his experience in Minersville, Reading and Harrisburg where he has engaged in this business. His parents emigrated from Germany in 1882 locating in Schuylkill County.
LOUIS WENTZLER LYKENS, PA.
Mr. Wentzler was born in Hanover, Muenden, Germany in 1869 and came to Lykens in 1895. He engaged in the brewery business on South Street which he purchased from the Bleck Estate. In 1907 Mr. Wentzler took over the entire control of the brewery and since then has been the sole owner and man ager. He has made many improvements and has equipped his plant with most modern and up to date machinery. Mr. Went zler served the Borough twelve years as a member of council and is affiliated with the Elks and local order of 1. 0. 0. 11.
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CHARLES J. WITMER LYKENS, PA.
Mr. Witmer, who conducts the Hotel Glen, was born in Lykens Valley in 1876. He entered the hotel business in Lykens sixteen years ago. He is a member of the L. O. O. M. and of the local Fire Department. Mr. Witmer is considered one of the best wing shots in the valley, and not many years ago was recognized as a state-wide contestant in that diversion.
WILLIAM H. HECKLER LYKENS, PA.
Mr. Heckler was born in Tremont, Schuylkill County, in 1869. He has been in the hotel business twenty one years, coming to Lykens in 1905 and conducting the Union House Hotel, since that time. He has served the borough as Council- man and has assisted the various movements made for bettering local conditions and the community as a whole. He is a member of the local lodge of L. O. O. M. and of the B. P. O. E.
FORREST S. HENSEL LYKENS, PA.
Mr. Hensel was born in Lykens in the year 1890, grad- uating from the local high school in 1908 he then entered Lebanon Valley College, graduating 1912 with an A. B. Degree. During his spare time up until 1912 he assisted in the conduct- ing of the Hensel Clothing House owned then by his father. Upon the death of his father in 1921 he became general manager of that concern. He is an earnest supporter of civic pride and sports.
GEORGE W. EBY LYKENS, PA.
Mr. Eby was born in Perry County, coming to Lykens, in 1895, where he has engaged in the wholesale confectionery business sinee that time. He is a director of the First National
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Bank, of the Wiconiseo Tel. & Tel. Company and of the Lykens Motor Car Co. He is also a director of the Gratz Fair Associ- ation. Mr. Eby has been very successful in business due to his keen insight in general management and is among the Bor- ough's most highly respected citizens.
CHARLES LLOYD BAUM LYKENS, PA.
Mr. Baum, son of early settlers (Holtzman family), was . born in Gratz. He is a son of Mrs. Sarah Baum of 414 Pine Street. At an early age Mr. Baum developed a talent for oil painting and his work has been recognized by some of the most severe critics in art circles. If one were to visit his studio, one would be very much taken with the wonderful work of Mr. Baum's brush. He is a highly respected citizen of the Borough and is entirely deserving of special mention along his line of art.
SAMUEL E. DEITRICH LYKENS, PA.
One of the very progressive and familiar citizens of Lykens is Mr. Samuel E. Deitrich. He is a native of this community and has at all times been instrumental in and assisted the many improvement steps of the present borough. By trade he is an accomplished Tailor having put in thirty-two years at that business. At present he is connected with the Hensel Clothing House, where he has been during the course of his pro- fession for the past seventeen years. In 1890 he graduated from the Wiconisco High School. Fraternally he is connected with several local organizations, among which is the Knights of Pythias of which lodge he is Degree Master. His keen opinion has been sought by many in regard to community and lodge affairs.
WALTER E. FREER LYKENS, P.A.
Mr. Freer came to Lykens in the year 1904 from New York City and commenced business under the name of The
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Manhattan Supply Company. He has conducted this business ever since and has enjoyed excellent sueeess. He has always been an exponent to any movement for bettering the community and is a highly respected citizen of the borough.
LEWIS A. HOFFMAN LYKENS, PA.
There is only one Restaurant-Soda Fountain establishment in Lykens, and Mr. Hoffman is the proud owner. He is a very tactful business man and enjoys a very successful business. Lewis, as we all know him, has been born and reared in Lykens and a graduate of our local High School. He entered business in December of the year 1914, and sinee that time has acquired the old Garman property in which his business and residenee is now located at 619 Main Street. He has always assisted in the various civic and community enterprises from time to time, and was a very valuable asset to the success of the Lykens Dia- mond Home Coming celebration.
JAMES D. HELT LYKENS, PA.
Among thie reputable and successful young business men of Lykens that have had a profitable business here, there are perhaps none deserving of more special mention than Mr. J. D. Helt. Mr. Helt was born in Jackson Township. He entered in business in Lykens in the year 1909 identifying himself with Mr. J. S. Reiff in the furniture and undertaking business. His rapid strides have only been the direet result of careful methods and keen decisions. To-day he is a director of several of the Valley's largest enterprises. He has been elected a school di- rector of Lykens Borough in 1922 and is a member of the Blue Lodge, Masonic Order.
DR. J. NEVIN BAKER LYKENS, PA.
Born in Lewistown, Mr. Baker came to Lykens in 1893, entering the praetiee of his profession, Dentistry. He is a
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graduate of the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery. Dr. Baker has served the borough as School Director for a number of years, and has always taken a keen interest in all civic enter- prises. He is at present President of the Miners Deposit Bank, of which he has been a director a number of years; President of the Building and Loan association and one of the organ- izers of the Williams Valley Bank at Williamstown. He is one of the highly respected citizens of the Borough, and known to practically everybody in the Valley.
THOMAS A. HENSEL LYKENS, PA.
Mr. Hensel, who for many years was one of the famihar faces to be seen in Lykens, until 1885 worked in the mines, from which he engaged in clerking in a general clothing store, later purchased the same and in 1891 began business for him- self. Through real perseverance and business tactics, Mr. Hen- sel arose to the unique distinction of the biggest Retail eloth- ier of the Upper End. He was a son of the late John and Susan Hensel and was very prominent in all civic and com- munity affairs of not only Lykens but the entire valley. Mr. Hensel died at his home, Lykens, December 14. 1921, following a stroke of paralysis. He was aged 68 years.
REV. W. C. ESBENSHADE, A. M. LYKENS, PA.
Mr. Esbenshade was born and reared near Strasburg, Lan- caster County, where he obtained his early education in the local High School. In the year 1897, he graduated from the Millersville State Norman School, receiving his state certificate in 1899. He is a graduate of the Perkionian Seminary, Penns- burg, Pa., 1901; Diekinson College, Carlisle, Pa., A. B. 1905. receiving his A. M. Degree at that place in 1917. He was re- ceived in the Philadelphia Methodist Conference in 1905, where he obtained his Theologieal training. In 1920, he was appointed pastor of the Grace M. E. Church at this place.
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JACOB M. MILLER LYKENS, PA.
Mr. Miller was born in Lykens November 18, 1868; he attended the Wiconisco High School. Mr. Miller entered busi- ness in Lykens about 1890 condueting a general store and eon- tinuing in this business up until 1919. He has been a Notary Public since 1903 and representative of a number of fire in- surance companies sinee 1903, Tax Collector of Lykens Borough in1921 and Treasurer of the Borough about eighteen years. He is Treasurer of the Saving Fund and Loan Corporation since 1908 and Treasurer of the I. O. O. F. about fifteen years. In 1903 he began business with general real estate in and about the town and valley and to-day is counted an able authority on that subjeet. Fraternally he is a member of Ashlar Lodge No. 570 F. & A. M. also of the Modern Woodmen of America.
The Late S. B. COLES Lykens, Pa.
HENRY KEISER Lykens, Pa.
DIRECTORY AND PICTORIAL REVIEW
CHARLES SNYDER Lykens, Pa.
GEO. A. KOSIER Lykens, Pa.
A. H. ROWE Lcyalton, Pa.
JOSEPH SHOLLEY Lykens Pa.
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WHO'S WHO IN ELIZABETHVILLE HAROLD L. ROMBERGER ELIZABETHVILLE, PA.
Mr. Romberger is a native of Elizabethville. He is associ- ated with his father, D. W. Romberger, in the Hide and Tallow business. He is also a Director of and Manager of the Eliza- bethville Silver Black Fox Co. Inc. At the election in 1921 he was chosen Chief Burgess of the borough by a very large major- ity. He is a member of the protective department of the Penna. State Game Commission. Harold is a young man of Elizabethville, but one of its very progressive citizens. He is married and has two children.
C. H. KNISELY ELIZABETHVILLE, PA.
Mr. Knisely came to Elizabethville in 1896 as principal of the Public Schools. He taught school until the year 1899 when he resigned to become Manager of the Swab Wagon Company, of which he is President and Manager to-day. He is a member of the Elizabethville School Board and a Director of the First National Bank. Mr. Knisely is Superintendent of the Lutheran Sunday School and an ardent supporter of all good wholesome ideas making for a better community.
DANIEL W. ROMBERGER ELIZABETHVILLE, PA.
Daniel W. Romberger was born in Lykens Township, Dan- phin County, Pa., February 23, 1870, a son of Samuel and Sarah (Brewer) Romberger. He was brought up as a tanner and farmer, attended public school but stopped at an early age to work in his father's tannery. In 1883 he came to Elizabeth- ville with his father; on December 5th. 1891 was married at
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HAROLD L. ROMBERGER Elizabethville, Pa.
C. H KNISELY Elizabethville, Pa.
THEO. E. MILLER Elizabethville, Pa.
HARRY H. WEAVER Elizabethville, Pa.
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Elizabethville to Sadie A. Gottshall of Pillow, Pa .; in 1892 went into partnership with his father in the hide and tallow business; in this business he is still engaged; is also owner of the rendering plant and is owner of the Fox Ranch located on his farm. Mr. Romberger holds one-fourth of the stock of the animals of this raneh. Mr. Romberger in a very successful business man of Elizabethville and has done a lot for the town and its citizens. To Mr. and Mrs. Romberger five children were born, all of them living: Melvin C., Harold L., Lawrence U., Faye O. and Daniel W. Jr. Mr. Romberger's wife died at Elizabethville, June 11, 1917. He has at all times assisted in civic and community enterprises and is one of the very re- spected citizens of Elizabethville.
HARVEY M. MILLER ELIZABETHVILLE, PA.
Miller, Harvey M., native of Elizabethville, son of James Miller, who was for fifty-one years secretary and treasurer of the Lykens Valley Mutual Fire Insurance Co., the oldest eor- poration in the valley. Spent fifteen years as rate clerk for various trunk lines of some of the larger railroad eenters of the East. Has contributed at various times to popular magazines. mostly humorous verse. Author of three Pennsylvania-German books of prose and poetry and contributed under the nom de plume "Solly Hulsbuck" to more than twenty weekly news- papers published in dialeet-speaking counties of the state. De- elared by Prof. Richards before the German Society of John Hopkins University to be the most prolific dialect writer in Penn- sylvania. Author of Harmonies of the Heart, a book of sentimen- tal verse, and of Poems of Childhood, which was revised by Prof. H. G. Dornheim in a thesis delivered at a literary function at Temple University and declared to be the equal of Steven- son's "Child's Garden of Verses."
Mr. Miller was one of the organizers of Elizabethville's Board of Trade and served it as secretary, when he also helped to organize the Valley Shoe Co. He was also instrumental in organizing the Bolton Rug Mills. Both are among the town's
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substantial industries. In the general insurance business for some years, was a member of the building committee for the erection of the fine new office building of the Lykens Valley Mutual Fire Insurance Co., and on the death of his father in 1920 succeeded him as secretary and treasurer of the company.
THE LATE SAMUEL B. ROMBERGER ELIZABETHVILLE, P.A.
Samuel B. Romberger, was born in Lykens township Dan- phin county, Pa., August 9, 1845. He was a son of Daniel and Hannah (Bergstesser) Romberger. Daniel Romberger., father of Samuel B., was born in Lykens township. Dauphin county. Pa., February 19, 1816. He was brought up as a farmer, and was married in his native place. He settled on a farm in Wash- ington township in 1854, and later located on a farm in Berys burg, where he died July 29, 1882. His wife died in Eliza-
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bethville in 1889. Samuel B. Romberger was of German des- cent on his father's side, and on his mother's side Scotch- Irish. He attended school in his native place until he was nine years old, when his family removed to Washington township. His education was finished in the common schools there. In his seventeenth year he began an apprenticeship at tanning with Isaiah Matters, at Uniontown, Pa. He served three years, during which time he received $175, which was $40 in excess of the contract. He worked at his trade a year and a half in Schuylkill County, Pa. He then formed a partnership with Reuben Weiser, and established a tanyard at Green Briar, Northumberland County, and continued in business there two and a half years, at the end of this time he bought the tanyard known as Stines plant, above Gratz. He operated this plant for fourteen years, having sold the one at Green Briar. In the spring of 1883, Mr. Romberger disposed of his property in Lykens township and located at Elizabethville, where he at first operated a tannery, but later relinquished the tanning and dealt in hides and tallow. In 1892 he took into partnership two of his sons and soon the firm had branches at Carlisle, Pottstown, Wilks-Barre, Tyrone and Shamokin and in 1910 a new one started at Harrisburg under the name of S. B. Rom- berger's Sons Co. Mr. Romberger was active outside of his own business, for he was a sincere promoter of the growth and prosperity of his town. He and his brother John purchased the land between Callowhill St. and Church St. and laid it out in lots and sold them, as a natural result the town began to grow. Mr. Romberger was President of the Lykens Valley Mu. tual Ins. Company for more than thirty years, one of its organ- · izers, and for five years Vice President of the First National Bank. He helped organize Maple Grove Cemetary Association, and for fifteen years was a director for the Lykens Valley Tele- phone and Telegraph Co. and for years was prominent in the affairs of the Water Co. He was a consistent member of the Evangelical Church. His children are Daniel W., Penrose C., Ira P., Elba and Ella. He died Friday March 11, 1922, aged 76 years, at the home of his daughter. Mrs. A. W. Krebs, 1838 North Second Street, Harrisburg. Pa.
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JAMES E. LENTZ Elizabethville, Pa.
HARVEY M. MILLER Elizabethville, Pa.
DR. E. L. STEEVER Elizabethville, Pa.
A. M. ROMBERGER Elizabethville, Pa.
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HARRY H. WEAVER ELIZABETHVILLE, PA.
Mr. Weaver is a native of Elizabethville where he has resided all his life.
At the age of 12 he became a telegraph operator and took charge of the Western Union Telegraph office then in his father's store. Afterwards took charge of the Freight and Ticket Office of the P. R. R. at Elizabethville.
He was connected with a number of industries of Eliza- bethville among which are the following:
In 1875 he organized the Vietor Printing Co. which lie owned. He printed a number of books for the novelty trade as well as the first newspaper for the town a monthly known as the Owl afterwards The Monthly Independent. Then printed The Weekly Democrat for Capt. J. A. Ettinger in 1879 which he afterwards continued as The Weekly Independent.
He was one of the organizers of the Elizabethville Water Co. also of the Reliance Hose Co. No. 1. of which he is now and has been the Treasurer from the time of its organization.
In 1885 he organized the Lykens Telegraphı and Telephone Co. of which he was General Manager until the same was mer- ged with the United Telephone Co. He built the first telephone lines in the Upper End of Dauphin Co. and Western Schuyl- kill Co.
In 1887 he entered the firm of Fred Weaver & Son, General Merchants and Weaver & Son distillers who succeeded Weaver & Gilbert originally organized in 1873.
He organized the First National Bank of Elizabethville, Pa. in 1900 of which he was a director for many years.
He is at present the owner of Weaver & Son dealers in Coal and Merchandise and is connected with the Rossman- Weaver Co. and the Weaver apparel Co. who have seven shirt factories in operation-Elizabethville. Berrysburg, Enders, Rife and Klingerstown.
He built many houses for the working men payable on the building and loan plan at eost which enabled them to own their own homes.
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A. M. ROMBERGER ELIZABETHVILLE, PA.
Mr. Romberger was born in Northumberland County near Pillow and has been a resident of this valley for the past thirty four years. He entered the General Merchandise business in Elizabethville in 1900 and has enjoyed a very successful career. He is a director of the First National Bank at Elizabethville and Millersburg, President of the local water company and a trustee. of the Schuylkill County Seminary.
JAMES E. LENTZ ELIZABETHVILLE, PA.
Born in Washington Township, one mile East of Elizabeth- ville-1886 moved to Mifflin Township, near Berrysburg-1896 moved to Elizabethville, entering produce business. 1899 entered the wholesale Tobacco business, sold the same in 1901 and went on the road for the Reid Tobacco Co. of Milton. In 1914 became a candidate for Recorder of Deeds and Clerk of the Orphans Court of Dauphin County, elected and served four years in that capacity. Throughout the period of the war. Mr. Lentz was a valuable asset to the Valley Red Cross chapters and assisted very ably in all local movements, incidental 10 successfully promoting the war. He was instrumental in hav- ing a health centre in Elizabethville. In 1920 Mr. Lentz en- tered the Automobile business which he still progressively con ducts. He is connected with various enterprises, among which President of the Williams Valley Hospital, located at Williams- town, Pa. He is also Chairman of the Dauphin County Repub- lican Committee since 1911. Mr. Lentz is a very sincere citizen of Elizabethville and has always proven to be ready to back up anything that is designed to benefit the community. He is married and has two daughters.
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WARREN J. DANIELS ELIZABETHVILLE, PA.
Mr. Daniels is a native of Elizabethville, having been born and reared there. He is a descendant of the early set- tlers, (Daniels family). In 1915 he was elected County Surveyor of Dauphin County and served in that capacity one term. Mr. Daniels was instrumental in having the park and playground estab- lished in Elizabethville, inso- far as he made preliminary examination of the grounds and presented favorable sug- gestive maps. During the con- scription period he was presi- dent of the Local Board Num- ber 3, Selective Draft, U. S. He is connected with several commercial houses, among which being a Director of the Elizabethville Water Company.
EARNEST L. STEEVER ELIZABETHVILLE, PA.
Mr. Steever is the only druggist in Elizabethville, where he purchased the business of J. C. Stroup the former druggist. In 1909 he graduated from the Wiconisco High School, from whence he entered the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, grad- uating in 1914. He came to Elizabethville in 1916 and opened business, from which time he has been very successful. Locally he is a member of the Park Commission and is a very pro- gressive citizen.
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WHO'S WHO IN WILLIAMSTOWN FRANK M. SHADLE
WILLIAMSTOWN, PA.
Mr. Shadle was born at Loyalton and when a small boy removed with his family to Williamstown. His first business venture was in the baking business, which he conducted for five years. He has been a Justice of the Peace at Williams- town for thirteen years. At the Primary Election in 1919 Mr. Shadle polled a very heavy vote in the valley for Dauphin County Commissioner on the Republican ticket. He served as Foreman of the State Highway Department for six years, hav- ing charge of the roads between Lykens and the Schuylkill County line. Under his administration many improvements were made, among which was the Row Hollow, east of Wicon- isco. He is a director of the Fairview Cemetary Association and first Viee President of the same. Also the manager of the Palace Theatre sinee 1907 and in 1921 was elected Chief Bur- gess of Williamstown.
J. B. LESHER WILLIAMSTOWN, PA.
Mr. Lesher is a native of Berks County. He came to Williamstown entering business on the site now occupied by J. W. Durbin and Son, general store. Selling to Mr. Durbin later he left the community for a few years. Upon returning he engaged in the management of the New Era Cash Store for a short while. In 1908 he entered the manufacturing business. which today is known as the Unrivalled Hosiery Mills. Later he built a branch to this business at Tower City. In 1913 he promoted the Best Stock underwear plant at Tower City and at present is operating the mills at Williamstown. Tower City and Mahanoy City, all the work being shipped to Williams town, finished there and placed on the market. Mr. Lesher Personally superintends and manages these concerns. He has
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