USA > Wisconsin > Barron County > History of Barron County Wisconsin > Part 28
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August Klockeman, a popular mail carrier on Route 2, out of Turtle Lake Postoffice, was born in Germany, Aug. 1, 1870, son of Frederick and Gustina (Klein) Klockeman. He attended school in Germany for several years and came to this country with his parents in 1883. He then attended school in Iowa, and was graduated from the State Center High School. From Iowa he came to this county with his parents in 1897. He has farmed, logged and worked in sawmills, in Polk and Barron counties. In 1904 he moved to the village and took up his present duties. He was married at Turtle Lake, Oct. 19, 1899, to Bertha Jeske, daughter of Carl and Paulina Jeske, natives of Germany, who came to America in 1883, lived for a while in Barron County, and then moved to Polk County, this state, where he died and where she is still living. Mr. and Mrs. Klockeman have three bright boys, William, Albert and Walter. A girl, Anna, died at the age of four years.
Michael Klein, cheesemaker, of the Twintown Cheese Factory in Turtle Lake Township, was born in Bayern, Germany, Oct. 6, 1884, son of Johan and Mary (Fischer) Klein. The father died in 1912, but the mother is still living, having now attained the age of 67 years. Michael Klein acquired his educa-
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tion in Germany, attending the common school. Subsequently, after serving two years in the army, he went, in October, 1906, to Switzerland. He had be- gun to learn the cheesemakers' trade at the age of fifteen and resumed it after leaving the army. In 1908, seeking better opportunities for advancement in life, he came to the United States, landing at New York, June 8, 1908. Thence he came direct to Turtle Lake, Wis., and found employment in the Pioneer Cheese Factory, where he was cheesemaker for a year. After that he worked for a while in the Twintown Cheese Factory, and then in August, 1919, went to the Sunnyside Cheese Factory in Turtle Lake Township as maker. On August 12, 1920, the original factory burned down, and in the following March, Mr. Klein formed a partnership with Ernest Pahlow and rebuilt the factory, which they operated together with profitable results until Sept. 15, 1921, when he sold his interests to Mr. Pahlow and accepted his present posi- tion. On July 15, 1916, Mr. Klein was united in marriage with Rose Henning, who was born in Turtle Lake Township, Sept. 29, 1898, daughter of Anton and Bertha Henning. Their home has been brightened by the birth of a daughter, Mary Madeline, Feb. 25, 1920. Mr. and Mrs. Klein are members of the Catholic Church, attending services with the Maple Leaf Congregation. Politically, he is Independent.
Fred Mewes, Sr., who for a number of years was an active and successful farmer of Turtle Lake Township, but who now resides in Clayton Village, Polk County, was born in Landau, Germany, Aug. 1, 1866, son of Henry and Mary Mewes. The father was by occupation a farmer and mail carrier and died about 1874, having survived his wife about two years. They left four children, Carl, Henry, Louisa and Fred. Fred, being thus early left an orphan, resided until the age of fourteen with a cousin. After finishing his schooling, he began to learn the tailors' trade, but finding that occupation not suited to his health, he returned to the home farm, where he remained for a year. After that he spent a year in Greshein, lived for a while in Frankport, and then spent several years on the farm. About 1886 he came to America, landing at New York, whence he proceeded to Chicago, where he first got a job at organ painting, and afterwards with the Nelson & Morris Packing Co. as carpenter. With that com- pany he remained several years, at the end of which period he came to Wiscon- sin. About 1899 he came to Barron County, buying 80 acres of wild land in Tur- tle Lake Township, that section being then but thinly settled and destitute of roads. The purchase of this land having exhausted his finances, Mr. Mewes re- turned to Chicago and re-entered the employ of the Nelson & Morris Co., remain- ing until he had accumulated enough cash to enable him to make a start on his farm. He then came back to Barron County and began the development of his farm, on which he built a good house, barn and silo, with other necessary buildings. He also bought 80 acres of adjoining land and ultimately in- creased the extent of his property to 320 acres. The present barn is 36 by 70 by 12 feet in size, with an eight-foot basement, and an "L" 36 by 38 feet. Eighty acres of the land are under the plow. Mr. Mewes carried on general farming and dairying very successfully until the spring of 1921, when he rented the place to his sons, Fred, Jr., and Rudolph, and removed to Clayton Village, where he has 40 acres of land, with a good brick house, barn and chicken house. Mr. Mewes was married in Chicago, Oct. 10, 1891, to Rosa, daughter of John and Catherine Schlagel, of Henderson, Minn. He and his wife have been the parents of thirteen children: Anna, born Oct. 26, 1892, now the wife of Martin Yager, of Turtle Lake Township; Fred, Jr., born March 28, 1895, and Rudolph, born Jan. 10, 1897, who together are operating the old farm; Henry, born Sept. 7, 1899; Louisa, born Oct. 2, 1901, who is keeping house for her brothers, Fred and Rudolph; Rosa, born Sept. 15, 1903; Leo, April 3, 1905; Clara, Aug. 6, 1907; Agnes, April 7, 1909; Hazel, April 16, 1911; Reuben, May 8, 1913; Harry, May 6, 1915, and Esther, Aug. 20, 1917. The five youngest, with Henry, are residing at home with their parents. Fred Mewes, Jr., was inducted into the United States service, Oct. 3, 1917, and left Barron
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HENRY J. RICHTER AND FAMILY HERMAN A. RICHTER AND FAMILY
MR. AND MRS. LOUIS B. RICHTER BERNARD G. RICHTER AND FAMILY
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the same day for Camp Grant, where he remained for a year. He was then transferred to Camp Upton and assigned to the 341st Infantry. In September, 1918, he sailed from Hoboken for Liverpool, which port was reached in 13 days. From there he went to Havre, France, and then to Bordeaux, where he remained six weeks, when he started for the front. The signing of the armistice prevented him from participating in battle service and he was soon started for home, the return voyage being made by way of Gibraltar and occupying 17 days. He was discharged at Camp Grant, April 3, 1919, and reached home on the following day. The Mewes farm, which he and his brother are working, is seven miles southeast of Turtle Lake and three miles from Clayton. It is well stocked with about 35 head of good graded cows, with about 25 or 30 young stock. Fred Mewes, Sr., attends the German Lutheran Church at Clay- ton, Mrs. Mewes and the children being Catholics.
Martin Yager, a well-known and respected farmer of Turtle Lake Town- ship, was born in Sibley County, Minnesota, Sept. 29, 1887, son of Joseph and Mary Yager. The parents, natives of the United States, were early settlers in Sibley County, where Joseph Yager is still living. Mrs. Mary Yager died when her son, Martin, was a young child, and he was early deprived of his mother's care. He attended common school for the usual period, and remained on the home farm, participating in the labor necessary to its cultivation, until 1911. He then came to Barron County, and for six years worked here as a farm hand. During that period, though not yet ready to start in for himself, he bought 80 acres of wild land in Section 21, Turtle Lake Township. This he sold in 1910, purchasing 90 acres of partly improved land in Section 31, which is the farm on which he now lives. It is provided with fairly good buildings and Mr. Yager has ten acres under the plow, the rest of his land being in pasture. He is giving his attention to general farming and dairying, his cattle being grade Holsteins, and the herd including at present twelve cows and six calves. Mr. Yager is a Republican in politics and a member of the Catholic Church. He was married June 16, 1917, to Anna, daughter of Fred and Rosa Mewes of Turtle Lake Township, and he and his wife have two children: Florence, born April 24, 1918, and Caroline Gertrude, born April 2, 1921.
Herman A. Richter, an industrious citizen of Section 3, Stanfold Town- ship, was born at Cashton, Monroe County, Wis., March 6, 1888, the son of Louis B. and Fredricka (Derring) Richter, both natives of Wisconsin, now liv- ing in Bear Lake Township, this county. He received his early education in the common schools and learned the carpenters' trade when he was a youth of but sixteen. In 1911 he came to Barron County, and bought his present farm of 160 acres. It was then cut-over timber land, with a log house and barn standing on it. He commenced to clear up the land and prepare it for culti- vation. In 1913 he built a good barn, with full basement, and equipped with all the latest devices. In 1917 he put up a garage, granary, chicken house and machine sheds. In 1920 he built a modern frame house, with many comforts and conveniences. These buildings constitute an excellent set of farm edi- fices, and are surrounded with a pleasant lawn. The farm is well fenced and well tilled, and the equipment in tools, implements and machinery is good. Mr. Richter carries on farming along the latest approved lines. He has a good herd of Holstein cattle, some of which are full bloods, and headed by a full- blooded sire. He also has a good drove of Duroc-Jersey swine, and a fine flock of 60 full-blooded Oxford sheep. His chickens are Buff Leghorns. All the stock shows the excellent results of the care which has been given it. Mr. Richter has still retained his liking for his youthful trade, and he now takes building contracts from time to time, in connection with his farming. He has put up some excellent buildings in this vicinity, all of which testify to the fidelity and skill with which he labors. Mr. Richter's business holdings in- clude stock in the Consumers' Store at Rice Lake. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Rice Lake, and has been secretary of the American Society of Equity of Barron County. Mr. Richter was married Oct.
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4, 1910, at St. Mary's, Monroe County, Wis., to Gertrude Willger, the daughter of John J. and Agnes (Flock) Willger, natives of Germany, who now live in Oak Grove Township, this county. Mr. and Mrs. Richter have four children: Agnes F., born Feb. 15, 1912; George J., born Aug. 8, 1913; Martin B., born Aug. 20, 1916; and Joseph H., born April 13, 1919. The family faith is that of the Roman Catholic Church.
John Thiefs, who has lived on Section 4, Stanfold Township, for nearly thirty years, is one of the solid, hard-working men of the township, highly re- spected as a good citizen. He was born in Russian Poland, Dec. 6, 1854, and was still a young boy when he was put to work to help the family income. As he grew to manhood, he married, and there started housekeeping. But he de- sired for himself and family better opportunities than he found in that country, and he therefore determined to seek his fortunes in America. He came to this country in 1886, and located at Adams, Mass., where he was employed in the mills as a weaver. But his ambitions were not yet fulfilled, he still de- sired a different life for himself and family than was to be found in the fac- tory districts. So he came to Barron County in 1893, and bought 80 acres, which constitutes his present farm. This was then cut-over timber land. He built a log house and barn and started to clear up the land. At first he had but little to do with. But by industry and application, working early and late, assisted by his family, he achieved success. In 1911 he put up a good frame house. He has gradually built up the place and now has a good farm. He carries on general farming and dairying, does good work, and is well thought of throughout the community. Mr. Thiefs was married in 1881, in Rus- sian Poland, to Anna Framut, born in that region, and both of whose par- ents are now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Thiefs have had six children: Fred was born March 18, 1883; William was born May 28, 1886 and died in 1896; Polena was born July 23, 1888; Emil was born May 28, 1891, married Alvina Bechter, and has one son, August; Andrew was born Aug. 19, 1896, and died May 29, 1917. Fred assists his father on the home farm. He is a good farmer, an industrious and energetic worker, and is taking his share in everything that he believes to be for the best interests of the community.
Henry Neilsen came to Barron County in 1902 and bought eighty acres of cut-over land in Section 10, Stanfold Township. Ten acres of brush had been cut off and a small log house and log barn had been erected. With the begin- ning, he started in to build up a good farm. In 1911 he erected a comfortable frame house, and a granary and machine sheds. In 1920, he built a large barn, with full basement, and furnished with full Louden equipment. At that time he also built a silo and a garage. On this place he successfully con- ducts general farming, and dairying, making a specialty of a fine herd of graded cattle, headed by a full-blooded Holstein sire. Mr. Neilsen is one of the real leaders in his community. He is a believer in farm organiza- tion and is especially active in the District No. 4 branch of the American Society of Equity, in which he has been chairman for eleven years. Fra- ternally, he is active in the Danish Brotherhood, in Stanfold Township, the headquarters of which are at Omaha, Neb. He was born in Denmark, April 13, 1867, the son of Nels Peterson and Mary Hanson, substantial people of that country, the former of whom died there in 1886 and the latter of whom came to America in 1891, and died in South Dakota, in 1908. He received a good education in his native country, and as a youth worked on various farms. For two years he served in the Royal Army. In 1889 he came to America and located in South Dakota, where he worked on farms in the vicinity of Lake Preston for some thirteen years. In 1902, he came to Barron County, where he has since lived. Mr. Neilsen was married March 12, 1898, in Minneapolis, to Sopha Hanson, the daughter of Frederick and Karn Hanson, both of whom spent the span of their years in Denmark. Mrs. Neilsen was born on February 23, 1877, in Denmark, and came to the United States in 1896, locating in Polk County. Mr. and Mrs. Neilsen have six children: Axel R., born Oct. 10, 1898,
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a machinist, living in Chicago; Ina L., born Jan. 13, 1902; Hazel M., Dec. 16, 1903; Otto, June 4, 1906; Anna, April 27, 1913; and Gordon, Feb. 18, 1919.
Otto Nieman, for a quarter of a century a well-known farmer of Section 5, Stanfold Township, was born in Germany and came to America as a young man. In 1890 he bought a farm of 80 acres in section 5, Stanfold Township. He built a log cabin and log barn and started to clean up the place. As time permitted he made various improvements. He put an addition on the barn, built a granary and sheds, and broke most of the land. There for many years he carried on general farming and dairying. He was hard working and in- dustrious, his first thought was ever of his family and its welfare, and he was a good and useful citizen in every way, a kind husband, an understanding father, and a desirable neighbor. He died Jan. 15, 1915. Mr. Nieman was married in Stanfold Township, March 23, 1895, to Peolena Peekrud, who was born in Russia, Dec. 17, 1868, the daughter of Adam and Louise Peckrud, who came to this country in 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Nieman had ten children-Herman W., Anna O., Alex C., Mary L., Emma M., Amelia A., Edward A., Fredrick P., Otto A. and Carl. Herman W. was born Dec. 17, 1896, married Helga Johnson, has one daughter, Pearl, and lives in Rice Lake. Alex C. was born Aug. 23, 1898, and is now conducting the home farm for his mother. He is an energetic hard working young man, who is getting the best out of the farm. He is well liked in the community, is a leader among the young people, and is already getting a good start in life. Anna O. was born April 23, 1899, married Edwin Johnson, has one child, Virginia, and lives in Rice Lake. Mary L. was born Nov. 13, 1900, married Frank Miller of Rice Lake and has one child, Alice. Emma M. was born May 30, 1902, and is at home. Amelia A. was born Feb. 5, 1904, and is the wife of Hjalmar Johnson of Rice Lake. Edward A. was born May 8, 1906; Frederick P. was born Feb. 10, 1908; Otta A. was born April 22, 1910, and Carl was born March 3, 1912. The family faith is that of the German Lutheran Church.
John O. Steen, an honored citizen of section 10, Stanfold Township, is thoroughly familiar with the farming and lumbering industry in this region; he has been prominent as town and school official, and he ranks well among the foremost men of his neighborhood. He was born in Norway, April 19, 1858, the son of Ole and Berte Steen, who spent the span of their years in that country, the father being a miner. John O. received a common school educa- tion, and as a youth started farm work. In 1881 he came to America, and found his way at once to Barron County where, with headquarters at Rice Lake, he worked for Knapp, Stout & Co. five years, and for the Rice Lake Lumber Co. fifteen years, working in the lumber woods in the winter and in sawmills in the summer. During this period he was a faithful workman, who held the regard of those for whom he worked. In 1901 he decided to give up lumbering and settle down to agricultural work. Accordingly he purchased his present place of 120 acres. A frame house and log barn had been built thereon by the previous occupant, and some of the land had been cleared and cultivated. Mr. Steen has continued the improvements. In 1916 he erected a large barn, with full basement, and installed with the James stanchions. He has built up a good place, and successfully carries on general farming and dairying. He has a good herd, headed by a full-blooded sire, and his tools, implements and machinery are of the best. In public affairs Mr. Steen has taken an active part for many years. He has been chairman of the town board for two years, and as such sat as a member of the county board, doing good service for both town and county. He is now serving most efficiently as town treasurer. He is a careful accountant, he knows the town and its people thoroughly, and he puts his best efforts into his official work. He is likewise serving with distinction as clerk of the school board. Mr. Steen was married Nov. 27, 1886, at Rice Lake to Gunnell Rogstad, who was born in Norway, Aug. 7, 1867, the daughter of Peter and Mary Rogstad, now deceased, who came to this country in 1880 and settled in Rice Lake. Mr. and Mrs. Steen are the parents of nine children-
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Bertha, Mary, Olena, Edward, Minda, Alvin, Myrtle, Gertrude and Ole. Bertha was born June 18, 1887, married Henry Leightner, and has two children, Walter and Gretchen, who live with Mr. Steen. Mary was born Nov. 13, 1892, mar- ried Leonard Score, of Cumberland Township and has a son, Lawrence. Olena was born Dec. 27, 1896, and is a stenographer. Edward was born Dec. 20, 1897, and is at home. Minda was born Jan. 3, 1899, and is a stenographer. Alvin was born Feb. 8, 1900; Myrtle was born Oct. 24, 1903; and Gertrude was born Dec. 15, 1907. Ole was born Jan. 10, 1894, and died in infancy.
Frank Feldkirchner, who is successfully farming 120 acres in section 24, Stanfold Township, was born at Ashton, Lee County, Ill., April 1, 1867, son of Adam and Elizabeth (Blubach) Feldkirchner, natives of Bavaria, Germany, the former born in 1833 and the latter Dec. 25, 1829. The father, who was a shoemaker by trade, devoted his early life to that trade in his native land and in America. In 1869 he bought government land in Ashton, Lee County, Ill., and there farmed the remainder of his life. He died May 4, 1917. The mother died at the age of 80 years. Frank Feldkirchner left school at the age of seven- teen and remained on the farm with his father until he was twenty years old. In 1887 he went to Clinton, Iowa, where he worked in a saw mill a few months. That fall he operated a threshing engine in Sioux County, Iowa. Then he went to Fort Scott, Kans., worked in a mine that winter and in the spring of 1888 secured employment in a brick yard there. In the fall he returned to Iowa, and operated a threshing engine in Sioux County. He returned to Fort Scott in the early winter, and worked in the mines there two years. Next he worked two years in the mines at Chicopee, Crawford County, this state. In 1892 he opened a barber shop at Sloan, in Woodberry County, Iowa. The next year he took up farming in his native town, and in 1896 moved to Franklin Grove in the same county, where he continued in agricultural operations and black- smithing. He came to Barron County and purchased his present place in 1901. He cleared the timber, and with this timber erected a good house, barn and other buildings. On this place he still successfully conducts general farming and dairying, having a good herd of Durham cattle, a good drove of Duroc swine and a few good Norman horses. One of the features of the place is the blacksmith shop, where he does all his own blacksmith work and wagon repair- ing, and he was active as a general blacksmith until seven years ago. He and his family are members of the Church of the Brethren, of which he is a clerk, being also superintendent of the Sunday school and trustee. Mr. Feldkirchner was married Aug. 1, 1888, at Nevada, Mo., to Viola McMillan, daughter of Edward B. and Lila Jane (Bruce) McMillan, natives respectively of Kentucky and Connecticut, the father dying Jan. 10, 1910, in Ohio, and the mother still living in Kansas, Mo. Mr. and Mrs. Feldkirchner are the parents of six chil- dren-an unnamed infant, Zella Diana, Oscar, Ellen Muriel, Glen Martin and Rosa Vivian. The first child was born Dec. 27, 1889, and died at the age of nine days. Zella Diana was born at Chicopee, Kans., July 10, 1891, was married at Rice Lake, Dec. 8, 1910, to A. T. Vine, and has four children-Emery Franklin, born July 6, 1911; Frances Vodica, born Jan. 10, 1913; Faith Eunice, born Sept. 5, 1915; and Marian Inez, born May 29, 1918. Oscar was born June 15, 1893, and died Dec. 20, 1893. Ellen Muriel was born at Franklin Grove, Ill., and was married at Rice Lake, Nov. 10, 1915, to Nels Prytz, by whom she has three children-Cecil Earl, born Nov. 26, 1916; Vernon Lyle, born June 6, 1919; and Lawrence Virgil, born Aug. 24, 1920. Glen Martin was born Nov. 1, 1903, and Rosa Vivian, Sept. 21, 1910.
Ole P. Norwick has lived in Barron County nearly thirty-five years, and has been identified with the logging, lumbering and farming interests. He came to the county in 1887, and with headquarters at Rice Lake, worked for Knapp, Stout & Co., logging in the woods winters and doing haying and other work on their farms summers. In 1892 he started work for the Lice Lake Lumber Co. in their saw mill at Rice Lake. He was industrious and faithful and won the approbation of his employers. In 1914 he purchased 80 acres in Sections 24 and
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25, Stanfold Township, and there established his home. The place was partly improved, and a log house and barn had been built. He sided over the logs of the house and built a frame addition, he enlarged the barn, and put up a gran- ary, machine sheds and other buildings. He has continued the breaking and clearing of the land, and successfully carries on general farming and dairying, having a good herd of graded cattle, headed by a full-blooded sire. He is a good farmer and a hard worker, and stands well with all who know him. He is interested in co-operative endeavor, and is a stockholder in the cheese com- pany, owning the factory in Stanfold Township. He was born in Norway, Oct. 3, 1869, the son of Peter and Bertha (Aabn) Norwick, natives of that country, the former of whom died in 1917 and the latter of whom is still living there. He started working for neighbors on farms at the age of ten, and came to America as a youth of seventeen in 1887. Mr. Norwick was married at Eau Claire, Wis., on Sept. 21, 1891, to Rena Norwick, who was born in Norway on Jan. 19, 1861, the daughter of Stiner and Bertha Norwick, natives of Norway, both now deceased. This union has been blessed with four children-Peter, born May 24, 1893; Selma, born Aug. 6, 1895, and now the wife of William Southerland, of Texas; Ruby, born July 13, 1901, now Mrs. Arthur Foller of Minnesota; and Inez, born Aug. 4, 1905. The family faith is that of the Norwegian Lutheran Church.
Christ Larson, a substantial farmer of Section 15, Stanfold Township, where he has owned a good tract of eighty acres for a quarter of a century, was born in Denmark, Sept. 29, 1867, the son of Christopher and Margaret (Rasmussen) Larson, the former of whom came to America in 1889 and died the following year, and the latter of whom is still living at the age of 87 years. He was reared in his native land, received such education as his parish afforded, and there grew to young manhood. He came to America in 1883 and for some years worked on Lake Michigan as fisherman and sailor, his headquarters being in the city of Ludington. In 1891 he came to Rice Lake, in Barron County, and for a time thereafter was employed at various times by the Rice Lake Lumber Co. and Knapp, Stout & Co. in the lumbering woods and in saw mills. In 1896 he bought his present farm. It was then wild cut-over land. He put up a log house and barn, and started to clear up the land. His hard work and indus- trious application in time met with success. In 1907 he was enabled to erect a comfortable frame house, a good barn, a silo, granary, machine sheds, and other outbuildings. He has built up a good farm, and carries on general farm- ing and dairying. His place is well equipped with tools, implements and machinery and he has some good stock. He stands well in the community and is highly respected as a good and useful citizen. Mr. Larson was married Dec. 4, 1892, at Camp Douglas, Wis., to Christena Hanson, who was born in Den- mark on Jan. 20, 1870, the daughter of Hans and Ellen Hanson, natives of Denmark, both now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Larson are the parents of eight children-Edward R. was born Feb. 15, 1893, married Alma Knutson, and has four children; Leland, Carl, Marvel and Crystal. Dagney (first) was born May 10, 1895, and died in 1900. Hans C. was born Aug. 8, 1899. Dagney (second) was born May 23, 1901. Edna was born Oct. 3, 1903. Elsie D. was born Feb. 8, 1907. Clarence J. was born May 29, 1908. Lester was born May 1, 1911. Dagney is the wife of Lee Frasier, of Rice Lake, and had a daughter, Pearl D. Hans C. served in France with Co. F, 101st Supply Train, 26th Division.
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