History of Barron County Wisconsin, Part 18

Author: Franklyn Curtiss-Wedge
Publication date: 1922
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1767


USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 18


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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Leo Giddings, Mr. Giddings' son by his first wife, was graduated from the Barron High School, and subsequently entered the University of Wisconsin, taking the engineering course, in which he continued until in his second year. On April 22, 1917, he enlisted at Ladysmith, Wis., in the United States' service, becoming a private in Troop K. He was sent to Camp Douglas, Wis., and from there to Camp McArthur at Waco, Texas, where he was transferred to the 121st Field Artillery, 32nd Division. In the spring of 1918 he crossed to France and soon found himself in action at the front. He took part in the fighting in the Haute Alsace sector, June 9 to July 22; the Aisne-Marne offensive, Aug. 1 to Aug. 6; the Fismes sector, Aug. 7 to Aug. 22; the Oise-Arne offensive, Aug. 28 to Sept. 6; the Avecourt sector, Sept. 22 to Sept. 25, and the Meuse- Argonne offensive, Sept. 26, to Nov. 2, 1918. He remained in France until the


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late spring of 1919, returning to the United States in May, and being honor- ably discharged at Camp Grant May 16. Though he had passed through such a long and severe ordeal, and taken part in some of the fiercest fighting, he escaped without even a scratch. He is now a student in the State University at Madison, Wis.


Claude C. Morrison, proprietor of a well equipped drug store in Barron, was born in Bloomer, Chippewa County, Wis., Dec. 28, 1884, son of Elton J. and Medora (Prill) Morrison. The parents, both of American birth, came to this locality from New York State and have resided here for the last fifty years. They were married in Wisconsin. Claude C. Morrison, after acquiring his elementary education in the common schools, pursued further studies in the high school at Bloomer. In 1900 he entered the drug store of E. C. Dett- loff at Bloomer, for whom he worked as clerk until 1906. Then to obtain a fuller knowledge of the business, or rather of the scientific part of it, he took a course in pharmacy at the Milwaukee Medical College (now Marquette University). He was in Eau Claire six months, then in Cumberland, Wis. In December, 1907, he came to Barron and entered the employ of W. J. Gillett, by whom he was employed until June, 1908, in which month he purchased the drug business of his employer and has since been sole proprietor. He has a fine store on La Salle street, his stock including in addition to drugs, Edison phonographs, stationery, school supplies and a soda fountain. Enterprising and energetic, he has built up a good and profitable business and is numbered among the leading citizens of Barron. His fraternal affiliations include mem- bership in the Masonic Blue Lodge No. 220, of Barron, in which he has passed all the chairs, and to the Knights of Pythias lodge, known as Mckinley Lodge No. 172, which he joined on its organization in 1908. Politically Mr. Morrison is a Democrat but not an active politician. He is interested in everything concerning the welfare and advancement of his town and county and is a useful member of the Barron Commercial Club.


Oliver Gulickson, alderman, property owner and business man of Bar- ron, is one of the "live men" of the city. He is progressive, he is a thorough believer in the future of the county, he is doing what he can to promote its welfare, and he holds the respect and esteem of his fellow men. Born in Stanley Township, this county, Feb. 24, 1889, he is the son of Andrew and Thea Gulickson, natives of Norway, and early settlers of this county. He was reared on the home farm, and after passing through the district schools, took a three years' course in the Barron high school, moving to this city from the farm with the other members of the family when he was about fifteen. As a boy he apprenticed himself to L. K. Sather, the merchant tailor, and in 1914 bought out the establishment. He does a general tailoring business, including cutting, cleaning and pressing. In addition to his business, he owns a pleasant home, and two business blocks on La Salle street. Fraternally he has been through the chairs of the local Odd Fellow lodge, and he is also a Mason and a Knight of Pythias. His service as alderman dates from 1917. Mr. Gulickson was married March 30, 1910, to Helga Marie Sather, born in St. Paul Sept. 19, 1890, daughter of Ludwig K. and Sophia Sather, and they have two children: Harland Andrew, born Dec. 25, 1910; and Robert Dale, born Dec. 31, 1911.


Ludwig Sather, at one time a Barron tailor, was born in Norway, and was married in St. Paul, his wife being a native of Denmark. They came to Bar- ron in 1901 and here Mr. Sather conducted a shop until he sold out to his son-in-law, Oliver Gulickson, in 1914. In the Sather family, aside from Mrs. Gulickson, there are three sons, Harold C., cashier in a bank at Craig, Colo .; Arthur R., a jeweler at Spooner, Wis., and Sigurd L., a jeweler at Grand Rapids, Minn.


Simon Christeson, formerly a hotel keeper in Barron, but who for a num- ber of years has been engaged in agriculture, is well known in Barron, a part of his land lying near the city, which he formerly served as alderman. He was


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born in Gulbrandalen, Norway, March 22, 1855, son of Christian and Marie Christeson. The father dying when Simon was a child, the latter accom- panied his mother to America in 1868, the family including the mother and four children, namely, Anna, Christian, Simon and Andrew. The daughter, Anna, is now deceased. Christian and Andrew are deceased. Mrs. Marie Christeson had scarcely been settled in the strange land to which she had come to make a new home-not more than three months-when she was called away by death, her son, Simon, being then about thirteen. The latter had attended common school in Norway, but only during a part of the winter, as he was early obliged to help support himself. After his mother's death he went to work on the farm of Henry Van Buren in Waukesha County for five dollars a month and his keep, and remained with him for about two years, or until the fall of 1870. Soon after that he found employment in lumbering under John Quaderer, working for Knapp, Stout & Co., as team driver, haul- ing logs and supplies, and he continued in that occupation under the same boss for about ten years, or until the time of his marriage, which event took place Dec. 25, 1882, his bride being Mattie Moffet, daughter of Laurin and Eliza Moffet of Dallas, Barron County, Wis. She was born in Necedah, Juneau County, Wis., July 2, 1862. Her father, who was a farmer, was of Scotch ancestry, but was born in New York State. He died in Barron, Wis., March 17, 1895. His wife, who was of French origin, survived him nearly nine years, passing away Jan. 5, 1904. Their children were Emily, William, Laurin, Amelia, Alvert and Mattie. The first four mentioned are now deceased. Alvert is a resident of Cloquet, Minn. Mr. and Mrs. Simon Christeson operated the old Quaderer House and also the new Quaderer House, which Mr. Christeson helped to build. Mr. Christeson also built a nice residence at the corner of La Salle and Eleventh streets. After giving up the hotel he became a farmr, in which occupation he has since continued, owning a farm of 160 acres a mile and a quarter from Barron, and 109 acres of timber land in Arland Township. His operations have been successful and he is recognized as a prosperous and substanial citizen. Politically he is a Republican with independent tendencies, and for nine years served as alderman of Barron. He and his wife are affili- ated religiously with the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Christe- son have been the parents of seven children: Raymond A., born July 4, 1885; Florence M., Oct. 15, 1887; Maude A., Nov. 29, 1890; Clifford L., April 22, 1892; Howard L., Aug. 12, 1895; Lester S., Aug. 18, 1899, and Russell E., Aug. 12, 1902, who died Oct. 26, 1906. Raymond A., who graduated from the Barron High School, is now a farmer. Florence M., also a graduate of the high school, is a bookkeeper residing at home. Maude A. is the wife of Francis G. McGrath, a railroad freight conductor, and has two children, Annis Arleen and Marion Moreen, twins, borns Sept. 16, 1914. Clifford L., a graduate of the Barron High School, is a structural steel worker and at present is residing at home. He served in the World War, enlisting in July, 1917, in the aviation corps, and training in Texas camps. In March, 1918, he crossed to France, where he remained until October, 1919. He was with the Army of Occupa- tion in Germany, serving as a mechanic with the rank of sergeant. Howard L., also a high school graduate, and now a farmer, in the early period of the war, as participated in by this country, was drafted into the United States' service July 23, 1918, and sent to Camp Grant, Illinois. He crossed to France in August, 1918, returning home in September, 1919. He was in the Army of Occupation and while in Germany served in the Medical Corps. Lester 'S., the youngest surviving son, is engaged in farming and resides at home. The family are affiliated religiously with the Methodist Episcopal Church.


Melvin H. McKee, one of the leading citizens of Barron city, proprietor of a well patronized grocery store, was born in Fulton County, Indiana, son of Martin A. and Martha (Ellison) McKee, who were farmers in that county. The parents were of Scotch and Irish ancestry but American born. Both are now deceased. Melvin H. in his boyhood attended the common


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school. When he was ten years old his father's death made it necessary for him to go to live with an uncle, and on the latter's farm he remained until he was fourteen. From that age he not only had to support himself but also to help his mother, and he has ever since been what is popularly known as a "hustler." At the age of 22, with a brother, William A., he came to Barron County, Wisconsin, and here found work in a sawmill, his first employer being W. B. Judd. In that kind of work he continued for four years, at the end of which time he became clerk in the general store of Ed C. Coleman. In 1891 he began business for himself, opening his present grocery store on the corner of Second and La Salle streets, and by enterprise, industry and honest dealing he has since built up a good and profitable trade, through for a time he was handicapped by sickness in the form of a nervous breakdown which occurred in 1908. In politics Mr. McKee is a Republican with independent tendencies, reserving his right to vote for the best candidate without respect to party affiliations. He has served Barron city as clerk for the past 20 years, and is a citizen of high standing and widely esteemed. He is the owner of a good residence on Second street, which he occupies with his family. Mr. McKee was married June 17, 1894, to Gertrude Jessie Taft, a native of Minnesota, born March 24, 1872, daughter of Henry P. and Ruby (Marshall) Taft. To Mr. and Mrs. McKee one child has been born, a daughter, G. Meryle, on Oct. 5, 1896, who is now Mrs. Lester L. Kunz, of Manitowoc, Wis. Mrs. Kunz has a son, Charles, who was born Sept. 5, 1920. Henry P. Taft, father of Mrs. McKee, was born in New York State, coming from a branch of the same family of which ex-President Taft is a notable representative. From his native state he went to Ohio and later to Iowa, where he followed a mechanical trade. He died in Barron March 17, 1917. In Clayton County, Iowa, he married Ruby Marshall, who was a native of Pennsylvania, in which state her family had been long established. She died in Barron, Wis., Oct. 20, 1909. Their children were: Gertrude, who became the wife of Melvin H. McKee; G. Albert, now of Menomonie, Wis .; Amos, of Rice Lake, Wis .; Elmina M., now Mrs. John R. Terris, of Hopkins, Minn .; Robert P., of Stillwater, Minn .; Warren E., of Barron, and one who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. McKee are members of Barron M. E. Church, and in former years were very active in both church and Sunday school work.


Andrew D. Rewey, architect, and formerly contractor and builder, is a man who has achieved success in life entirely due to his own efforts. Starting with no resources save those inherent in himself-health, courage, ability and a capacity for hard work-he has forged ahead, and now occupies an enviable position among his fellow men. He was born in Herkimer County, New York, March 14, 1852, the son of Wilber and Laura (Mallery) Rewey. , In 1857 the family came West to Walworth County, Wisconsin and settled on a farm near Delevan. In the early seventies the family moved to a farm in Emmett County, Iowa, where the parents died. Andrew D. came to Barron County in 1874 and took up his residence on 160 acres of wild land in Maple Grove Township. Building at first a small log cabin, he gradually improved and developed the place into a good farm. In 1880 he moved to Chetek, this county, and took up


. carpenter work for Knapp, Stout & Co. About 1883 he took up building and contracting for himself, and in 1886 moved to Barron City where he continued in the same line. He remained in business until 1912, when he engaged in architectural work. He has designed many of the best buildings erected in Barron County since that time, including nearly all the modern rural schools. His pleasant home is located on First street. Fraternally he is a member of the Maccabees. Mr. Rewey was married Dec. 3, 1873, to Ellen Larson, who was born in Muskego, Waukesha county, Wis., June 11, 1854, daughter of George and Anna (Hastings) Larson, both of whom died in Waukesha county, the former in 1861 and the latter in 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Rewey are the parents of six children: Frank A., Ora May, George W., Onney M., Frances O. and Reynold X. Frank A. was born June 16, 1876, is district manager for the


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De Laval Cream Separator Co., and lives at Windom, Minn. He married Etta Whitterman, and has two children, Bernice and Fayetta. Ora May was born June 1, 1879, and died March 20, 1888. George W. was born June 28, 1886, and died Nov. 30, 1890. Onney M. was born July 3, 1889, and is the wife of William Torgeson, of Barron City. Frances O. was born Sept. 24, 1896, and is the wife of Frank Falkner, of Stanfold Township, this county. Reynold X., born Sept. 30, 1898, is at home.


John P. Hoffmann, superintendent of the Inderrieden Canning Co.'s plant at Barron, was born in Manitowoc County, August 24, 1866, son of Charles and Mary (Vanderbloemen) Hoffmann. The father was a native of Germany, who came to America in 1854, locating in Michigan where he was engaged for some time in railroad construction work. He then engaged in farming near Manitowoc, Wis., buying 80 acres of wild land without buildings and away from any road. The prospect was dreary, but he had little money and was unable to purchase an improved place. In time he developed a farm and his latter years were spent in comparative comfort. His death occurred about 1894. His wife, Mary, was born in Holland, came to this country in 1850, her parents, like the Hoffmanns, settling on land near Manitowoc, Wis., where they developed a farm. She died in 1878. John P. Hoffmann was reared on the home farm and acquired a common school education. At the age of 17 he began an apprenticeship to the carpenter's trade under Daniel Boehmer of Manitowoc, with whom he served three years. In 1890 he started out for him- self as a builder and contractor and was thus engaged until 1899. He then entered the employ of the Vaudrieul Canning Co. at Two Rivers, Wis., and re- mained with that concern subsequently for nine years. He then became superintendent at Rice Lake for the Waukesha Canning Co., which, after a while, went into the receivers' hands and was later taken over by the Inder- rieden Canning Co. of Chicago. Mr. Hoffman remained with the latter com- pany for a year at Rice Lake and was then transferred to Barron, where he has been general superintendent of their plant since 1912. He was married Nov. 12, 1888, to Catherine Neuman, who was born in Missouri, July 11, 1870, daughter of Philip and Barbara Neuman, later residents of Two Rivers, Wis., where Mrs. Neuman is still living, Mr. Neuman being deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hoffmann are the parents of seven children: Mary, born Aug. 15, 1889; Clara, May 14, 1891; Louis, Sept. 6, 1893; Josephine, Jan. 17, 1895; Philomena, March 6, 1898; John, Sept. 18, 1900; and Gertrude, May 29, 1902. Mary is now Mrs. Adolph Berg of Maple Grove Township, Barron County. Clara is the wife of Lawrence Hessel of Cameron, Wis. Louis resides in Barron, where he is ware- house foreman for the Inderrieden Canning Co. He served in the world war, being inducted Aug. 2, 1918, and was sent to Camp Taylor, Ky., where he was trained, and was appointed sergeant, attached to Battery F, First Regiment, F. A. R. D. He was discharged Dec. 13, 1918. Josephine is now Sister Catherine in the St. Francis convent at Green Bay, Wis. Philomena and Gertrude are residing at home with their parents. John, who was graduated from St. Lawrence College, Fond du Lac County, Wis., now resides at home and is employed by his father in the canning factory. The family are members of the Catholic parish at Barron. In politics, Mr. Hoffman is a Democrat. He is secretary of his parish and is fraternally affiliated wth the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Foresters. Mrs. Hoffmann has five brothers and two sisters living, namely: John, Philip, George, Joseph, Julius, Elizabeth and Mary.


The A. B. Leaf Tobacco Co. of Barron, was organized early in 1920, and is one of the flourishing enterprises of the community. It was incorporated the same year with a capital of $50,000, with Nels O. Tvedt, president, Otto E. Anderson, vice-president, and L. Anderson, secretary and treasurer. Their warehouse is fully equipped for the handling of their product in its raw state. It has the dimensions of 60 by 26 feet, with full basement, and an addition of 26 by 26 feet. The main floor is used for storing and seasoning


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and for the offices, while in the basement is all necessary equipment for sizing, stripping and packing. The factory furnishes employment to about twenty sizers and six day hands. Mr. Tvedt, its president and manager, is thoroughly competent and is making the business a success. It was he who started the tobacco raising industry in Barron County, and he has ever since been an important factor in its development. It was in 1898 that he raised the first tobacco for the market and for many years he maintained a warehouse on his farm before moving to the city.


Nels O. Tvedt, president of the A. B. Leaf Tobacco Co., Barron, was born in Stavanger, Norway, March 15, 1861, son of Ole O. and Kari (Nettland) Tvedt. He came to America in 1880 and found his way at once to Dane county, Wis., where for five years he was engaged in the packing and sizing of tobacco. Then he went to the Pacific coast. After pressing hay the first summer, he entered the employ of the Blakely Mill Co., and worked for a year and a half in their sawmills and logging camp between Tacoma and Seattle. In the fall of 1887 he returned to Wisconsin, and worked in the factory of the Fuller & Johnson Co., at Madison. Subsequently he again entered the tobacco busi- ness, growing tobacco in the summer, and working as a sizer and packer in warehouses in the fall and winter. In the spring of 1895 he came to Barron County to occupy a piece of wild land which he had purchased the previous year in section 17, Barron Township. He housed his family in an old lumber camp, while he erected a house, a structure of hewed logs, 14 by 24 feet, sided and plastered, with a frame addition 12 by 14 feet for a kitchen. By hard work and close application he developed this farm, erected better buildings, and purchased stock and equipment. To the original tract he added by purchase, until the place consists of 245 acres, of which 165 are under the plow and the balance in cleared pasture land. Mr. Tvedt retired from farm work in 1920, and took up his residence in Barron City, where he owns a comfortable home. The firm of the A. B. Leaf Tobacco Co. is owned by him and the Anderson Brothers of Menomonie, Wis. The company has a large warehouse here and does a good business. Mr. Tvedt is a substantial citizen, served the town of Barron in various capacities, including that of supervisor, and has always stood for everything that is just and right. He is a member of the Barron Congrega- tion of the Norwegian Lutheran Church and has occupied a number of official positions therein. Mr. Tvedt was married Nov. 29, 1887, to Rachael Stensland, daughter of Thor and Julia Stensland, of Madison, who brought her from Norway to America when she was one year of age and settled on a farm in Dane County, Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Tvedt have ten children. Clara is the wife of Earl Butler, who is manager of a lumber company in North Dakota. Theo- dore is on the home farm. Helen is the wife of L. R. Smith, who is in the garage business in Chetek, this county. Henry is on the home farm. Ruth is the wife of Elmer Tuft, who is in the garage business at Chetek, with his brother-in-law, L. R. Smith. Gertrude, Esther and Norma are at home. Dorothy is dead.


Charles D. Blassingham, who for the last twelve years has efficiently per- formed the duties of register of deeds for Barron County, was born in Plym- outh, Marshall County, Ind., Feb. 7, 1867, son of Thomas A. and Comfort A. Blassingham, his parents being farmers. When he was 14 years old the family came west to Barron County, Wis., settling on a farm in Maple Grove Town- ship. After attending common school to the age of 18, he began learning the miller's trade with J. W. Taylor of Barron, and having mastered it, he sub- sequently operated Mr. Taylor's flour mill until 1906, in which year he moved to Rice Lake, where for two years he was manager of a similar mill. In 1908 he was elected to his present position as register of deeds, taking office on the first Monday in January, 1909, and through successive re-elections, he has since continued to serve. Politically, he has always been a Republican. As a public official he has proved efficient and accommodating and has gained a wide popularity. Mr. Blassingham was married Sept. 13, 1895, to Anna E.


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NELS O. TVEDT AND FAMILY


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Kottke, who was born in Sheridan Township, Dunn County, Wis., April 13, 1872, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Kottke. He and his wife are the parents of a son, Loyd F., born March 8, 1900, who, after a limited attendance at the high school, entered the School of Electrical Engineering at Milwaukee, from which he was graduated, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree. Mr. Blassingham and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Barron and take an active part in its work, both religious and social. Mr. Blassingham is a member of several fraternal orders, including Camp No. 1268, M. W. A .; Barron Lodge, No. 33, I. O. O. F., and the grand lodge of the same order; and Mckinley Lodge, No. 172, K. P., of Barron. He has passed through the chairs in the two first mentioned lodges, and is the district grand master deputy of the I. O. O. F.


Edward Falkenburg, of Barron, road master for the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie Railroad, and proprietor of a flourishing hardware store in this city, was born on a farm at Trondhjem, Norway, Nov. 20, 1865, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ole E. Falkenburg. His mother, whose maiden name was Karen Skjerdingstad, came of one of the oldest Norwegian families, the members of which could trace their genealogical line back to the eighth century. She died in her native land and Ole E. Falkenburg subsequently contracted a second marriage. About 1880, when Edward was 15 years old, he accompanied his father and step-mother to the United States, he being then the only living child of his father. The family located on a farm near Baldwin, St. Croix County, Wis., and there in 1905, Ole E. Falkenburg died. In addition to his son, Edward, he had by his first wife, two daughters, Helen Caroline and Petra, both of whom died in Norway. By his second wife he had seven, all born in America, namely: Hilda, residing at Baldwin; Emil, of Minneapolis; Clara, now Mrs. Emil Olson, of Ogalla Township, St. Croix County, Wis .; Otto, who is on the home farm at Baldwin; Carl, of Pasadena, Cal., and Petra and Benjamin, both living at Baldwin. Edward Falkenburg acquired a common school edu- cation in his native land. He remained at home till the age of 16, and then began work as a railroad laborer on the Omaha line, being thus occupied for four or five years. Then he became a section foreman on the Northern Pacific and after that a freight brakeman. His next position was as section foreman with the road for which he is now working, the Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie, and after remaining as such until February, 1892, he was made road master, which position he still holds. For about 18 years he served the "Soo" road in North Dakota, with headquarters at Enderlin, coming back to Barron in June, 1909. Mr. Falkenburg is well advanced in the Masonic order, being a member of the Blue Lodge and Chapter at Enderlin, N. D., the Com- mandery at Lisbon, N. D., and Zagel Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Fargo, N. D. He also belongs to Birch Camp of Modern Woodmen at Barron, and to the Odd Fellows' Lodge of the same city. Politically, he is a Republican, but reserves the right to vote for the best candidate regardless of party. Mr. Falkenburg was married June 28, 1891, to Marthina Selvig, daughter of Lars and Louise Selvig of Prairie Farm Township, Barron County. She was born in Menomonie, Wis., April 17, 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Falkenburg began domestic life in Barron. They have had six children, Carrie Lenore, Louis Oliver, Philip Edward, Eva Louise, Oliver Selvig and Mavis Leona. Carrie Lenore was born June 11, 1893. Louis Oliver, born Oct. 15, 1898, died May 6, 1900. Philip Edward, born Oct. 15, 1898, was graduated from the Barron High School and is now a student in Ripon College. He enlisted in the U. S. Army May 1, 1917, trained at Key West, Fla., as a member of the 2nd Company, Coast Artillery, and crossed to France in March, 1918. There he was trans- ferred to headquarters of the 32nd Brigade and served as chauffeur until the armistice. He left France for the United States Nov. 11, 1918, landed at New- port Dec. 31, 1918, and arrived home Feb. 5, 1919. Eva Louise, born Sept. 9, 1903, is a graduate of the Barron High School. Oliver Selvig, born Sept. 6, 1907, is attending school. Mavis Leona was born Nov. 24, 1913. Mr. and




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