History of Green County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens, Part 125

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1168


USA > Wisconsin > Green County > History of Green County, Wisconsin. Together with sketches of its towns and villages, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 125


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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894


HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.


VARIOUS MATTERS.


The Blackford saw and grist mill, on section 12, was established in 1843-4 by Dr. Church, who first erected a saw mill, and afterwards sold to his son, John Church. About 1860 machin- ery was put in for grinding grist, and the saw · mill was no longer used. Ghormley & McCor- mack bought the property, and sold to Lewis W. P. Morton and Solomon Jones in about 1852. They ran it until 1855, when it was pur- chased by Taylor Wickersham. In 1860 he sold to Morton & Catherman, but it reverted to Mr. Wickersham, and he ran it two years longer, then (1864) sold to Samuel Dennis. About 1868 the property was purchased by Samuel Black- ford and Erad White. They continued in part- nership until 1881, when Mr. Blackford pur- chased his partner's interest, and has since con- ducted the business alone. In 1867 Dennis & Blackford erected and put in operation a saw mill in connection with the grist mill, which is still running, having changed hands with the grist mill.


Samuel Blackford, son of William and Rachel (John) Blackford, is a native of Fayette Co., Penn., born Oct. 10, 1837. His father was a pot- ter by trade. In 1845 he came to Green county, and located in the town of Jefferson, where he owned a small farm. In 1860 he and his son, Samuel, built a patent lime kiln, and engaged in lime burning until 1867, when Samnel sold out, and the father continued the business until the time of his death, which occurred in 1871. He is buried at Juda. In 1867 Samuel bought his present farm on section 12, town of Jordan. He has seventy-five acres, and is engaged in the mill and dairy business. He was married on the 21st of October, 1860, to Sarah A. Dennis, daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth (Bloom) Dennis. This union has been blessed with four children-Ted E., Belle, George G. and Musa C. Mrs. Blackford's father lives in Green county. Her mother is buried in Richland cemetery, Green county. Mr. Blackford has been chairman of the board of the town of


Jordan eight terms. Politically he is a demo- crat.


The grist mill on section 26, on Skinner's creek, originated in the erection of a small mill on the same site, in 1840, by John Baugh- man. Mr. Baughman ran it for a number of years, then sold to Philip Fawver. After run- ning it a few years Mr. Fawver left, and the mill ceased to run. In 1868 John Abelman erected a new mill on the same site, and a few years later sold to Hiram Rust, the present pro- prietor. The creek furnishes a good power at this point, and the two run of buhrs with which the mill is equipped give it a capacity for grind- ing from 100 to 150 bushels of grain per day.


The cheese factory on section 5, on the farm of.Henry Poff, is controlled and owned by what is known as the Nulty, Soper, Poff & Lewis Cheese Company. The factory was established in the spring of 1883, buildings 36x18 feet, and 24x16 feet being erected. It is run by Jacob Carlan, and makes Swiss cheese. There are 140 cows on the milk list.


Peter Nulty was born in Ireland, in 1840. He is a son of Richard and Bridget (Hyland) Nulty, who now live in the town of Monroe. Mr. Nulty came from Ireland and settled in the State of Kentucky, where he remained a few years, then came to this county and located in the town of Monroe. The property there was disposed of and a removal made to the town of Jordan. In 1870 Mr. Nulty bought the place he now occupies on section 5, where he owns 1563 acres of good land, and is one of the best farm- ers in the town, having neat and tidy buildings. He was married to Catharine Kemp, and by this union there are six children-Mary, Richard, Jo- hanna, Bridget, Catharine and Ellen. They are members of the Catholic Church, and Mr. Nulty is chairman of the town board of supervisors. Ilis main business is stock raising and the man- ufacture of cheese.


Levi H. Poff is a native of Ashland Co., Ohio, born Feb. 4, 1852. He is a son of Jacob and Julia A. (Lawbogh) Poff, a native of Pennsyl-


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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.


vania. When Levi was two years old he re- moved with his parents to this county, settling in the town of Adams, where he lived until 1877, when he removed to section 5, town of Jordan, where he now owns 125 acres of land, and is an enterprising and useful citizen. He was married Feb. 5, 1873, to Irene Adair, daughter of John and Martha (Simpkins) Adair. By this union there are eight children-Anna, born Aug. 25, 1874; Jacob, born Nov. 24, 1875; John, born June 25, 1877; Nellie A., born Sept. 7, 1878; Charles G., born July 5, 1880; Katie, born July 20, 1881, and a pair of twins, Dora Ellen and Cora Estella, born Dec. 25, 1883. Mr. Poff is engaged in the stock and dairy business, and owns a share in a cheese factory on his farm.


James Lewis is a native of North Ireland, born near Londondery, Aug. 20, 1831. He is a son of William and Elizabeth (Beatty) Lewis, both of whom are dead, and buried in Wales. In 1848 James emigrated to America and stopped two years in the city of Philadelphia, Penn. Being a morocco dresser, he easily se- cured a position. From there he removed to Chester county, of the same State. He was married in Philadelphia to Ann Hood, May 3, 1852. He remained in Chester county till 1859, when he came to this county, settling near Jordan Center, where he lived until 1866, when he moved to section 9. He now owns 360 acres of land. They have had eight chil- dren-Andrew, Elizabeth, who was married to Ernest Rankins, and died in California, where she was buried; Margaret, deceased, and buried at Argyle, Lafayette county. She was the wife of William Mitchell. John J., Marshall B., George B., Priscilla E. and Mary A. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Lewis has been a school officer most of the time since coming to this town. He is a mem- ber of the I. O. O. F., and a good substantial citizen.


The cheese factory on section 16, owned by Voegley Bros., was built in 1876. It uses


the milk of from ninety to 100 cows, manufac- turing Swiss cheese.


Jacob Voegley came to the town of Jordan in 1874, and located on section 16, where with his brother he purchased 286 acres of land. He is a native of Canton Glarus, Switzerland, born Oct. 3, 1848. He came to America in 1869, stopping in New Glarus, Green county. He remained there eighteen months, working on a farm. He then went to the pineries in north- ern Wisconsin, remaining there three years, after which he returned to New Glarus, where he staid one year, then removed to his present home in the town of Jordan. He was married on the 11th of May, 1873, to Barbary Kundert, a native of Switzerland. They have three chil- dren-Elizabeth, Catharine and Balthar. Mr. Voegley's brother, John, his associate on the farm, was born Jan. 1, 1852, and came to America in 1872. He stopped in Oshkosh, Winnebago Co., Wis., where he worked in a vinegar factory six months. He then worked on the railroad for about one year; then took position on an engine as fireman, which he fol- lowed for eight months. He came to the place he now lives and with his brother is joint owner of the farm. The brothers also run a cheese factory. They are members of the Lutheran Church. Politically they are republicans.


The cheese factory on section 24, was estab- lished by Daniel Bechtolt, in 1883. It occu- pies a building 18x50 feet in size. The milk of several hundred cows is used in the manufac- ture of Limberger cheese.


Daniel B. Bechtolt was born in Licking Co., Ohio, Feb. 22, 1837. His parents, Mathias and Christena (Epler) Bechtolt, are both dead, and buried in Cadiz and Kelly cemetery. Daniel B., when fourteen years old, left Ohio and set- tled on section 25, town of Jordan, this county, where his father resided on forty acres entered from the government. He lived at home until 1860. He was married March 12, 1857, to Matilda Wagner, a daughter of Charles and


896


HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.


Lydia Wagner. They have six children- Albert B., Lydia C., now married to Charles Blain; Samuel D., George, Erwin and Ida M. Mr. and Mrs. Bechtolt were members of the United Brethren Church. His wife died in June, 1880, of heart disease, and was buried in Kelly cemetery, town of Cadiz. She was a sincere Christian and a devoted mother.


The cheese factory on section 8 was built by Andrew Meythaler, Jacob and Yoderick Kubli, Nicholas Dittman and Joseph Sharer, and is located on Mr. Meythaler's farm.


Andrew Meythaler is a native of Germany, born in Baden, Oct. 26, 1836. IIe is a son of Christ and Eva (Bleiler) Meythaler, both of whom are dead, and buried on section 35,of the town of Adams. In 1855 Mr. Meythaler went to Pennsylvania, Blair county, where he lived two years, thence came to this county, settling on section 35, town of Adams, where he lived until 1863, then removed to section 34, thence in 1876 to section 3, town of Jordan, where he now resides, owning 197 acres of land. He also still owns 120 acres in Adams. He was mar- ried to Mary Hook, a native of Germany. They have seven children living-William G., Ed- ward, Andrew, George J., Annie E., Charles T. and Frederick. Mr. and Mrs. Meythaler are members of the Evangelical Church. He is a good farmer and excellent citizen.


Jacob Kubli is a native of canton Glarus, Switzerland, born Feb. 23, 1847. He is a son of Peter and Barbary (Martis) Kubli, both of whom are dead, and buried in his native country. When twenty-four years old, Jacob emigrated to America. His brother having come to New Glarus, this county, he concluded to settle there, and upon his arrival, went to his brother's house, living there and with a brother-in-law for one year. He then went to the village of Monroe, and remained two years, working at the trade of shoemaking, which he had learned in the old country, but by accident losing his fingers by a circular saw, he concluded to re-


move to a farm. He first went to Jordan Center and remained three years. He then sold out his little property and bought on section 3 eighty-four acres in April, 1870, where he has since continued to live. He was married while in Monroe, to Elizabeth Hefty, a native of Switzerland, March 24, 1870, where her parents now reside. They have seven children-Anna E., Barbaretta, Margaret, Catharine, John P., Samuel and Sophia.


The cheese factory on section 13, was erected in 1882, at a cost of $1,200, by Joshua Klasey & Co., the present proprietors. The company is known as the Blackford Mill Cheese Com- pany, and is composed of Joshua Klasey, George Hartwig, Samuel Blackford and David Knoble.


John Klasey established a blacksmith shop a number of years ago on section 13. He sold the shop to Abraham Stauffacher, who moved it to Jordan Center, where he still carries on the business.


Abraham Stauffacher, a native of canton Glarus, Switzerland, was born April 21, 1843. He is a son of Jacob and Catharine Stauffacher, both of whom are dead and buried in his native country. Abraham was the tenth child and the only one of the family who came to America. He was well educated in Switzerland, attend- ing school until twelve years old. He then hired out on a farm. His father was a farmer, and at the same time mail carrier and postmaster. Abraham learned the trade of locksmith, serv- ing an apprenticeship of seven years, and then learned the trade of blacksmith, which he fol lowed in Switzerland, and for a time after com ing to this county, first working for Constan- tine Haegla six months, and then went into partnership with G. Schindler two years and a half. He then went to Iowa with the intention of settling there, bought a shop and paid some money down, but failing to sell his property in New Glarus, he did not go, but built a shop and engaged in work for four years, then sold out to Michael Smith and went to Monroe, where he


897


HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.


found employment with the Monroe Manufac- turing company one year, then about 1874, he removed to the town of Jordan and bought a shop from J. Klasey, where he remained two years, then purchased thirteen acres of land on section 10, to which he removed his shop, and has since kept the same. Ile now owns 169 acres on that section. He was married in his native country to Elsbeth Baebler, Feb 13, 1866, and this union was blessed with ten children-Jacob, Albert H., John, Ernst A., Katharina, Edward, Rosa, Henry, David W. and Elsbeth. Mr. and Mrs. Stauffacher are mem- bers of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. He is politically a republican.


RELIGIOUS AND OTHER SOCIETIES.


The United Brethren denomination organized a class at what is known as Jefferson school house, in 1860. Rev. Crowder presided. They held services there for seven or eight years, when it was removed to the Jordan school house. The organization was discontinued in 1882. The first members were as follows: William Ault, Albert Smith and wife, Mathias Bechtolt and wife, William Witham. Mrs. Joselyn, Lydia Baughman, now Lydia Osgood, Frank Miller and wife, Daniel Bechtolt and wife, Levi Wagner, Susan Wagner, Nellie Baughman, Christian Ault, Ella Wells, William Ableman and wife, Joseph· Ableman and wife, William Campbell and wife, Mary Blain, Fran- cis Ward, Malvina, Elnora and Geraldine Os- good, Francis Wagner, T. W. Ault and a num- ber of others.


The Norwegian Lutheran church, in the southern portion of section 29, was erected in 1859. Its cost was $1,000, the amount being raised by subscription and donation of work by members. Formerly the congregation wor- shipped at Wiota, in Lafayette county. The first preacher was Rev. Clausen. At present they have no regular minister. When the class was organized it consisted of twenty-one families; it now numbers thirty-two. There is a cemetery in connection with this Church,


which is also located on section 29. It was laid out in 1859, the land (one acre) being donated by Knudt Thorstan. Additions have been made since that time. The first burial here was of the remains of John Johnson, who died in 1860.


Banner Lodge, No. 113, Good Templars, was organized on the 5th of December, 1882. The charter members were as follows: Rev. Ira Lebarron, Mr. and Mrs. Sawin, Mr. and Mrs. Dwight Chester, Newton and Matilda E. Deetz, Walter, John and Laura Deetz, Mrs. John Squires, Richard, Elmer, Emma, Marshall and Ella Lewis, William Trotter, Richard Rowley, Ezra and Thomas Treister. The first officers were as follows: Jacob Deetz, W. C .; Mrs. Squires, M. V .; Mr. Squires, P. U .; Newton Sawin, W. M .; Marshall Lewis, W. S .; Walter Deetz, F. S .; Mrs. Deetz, T .; Matilda Sawin, I. G .; Thomas Treister, O. G .; Dwight Sawin, W. C .; Laura Deetz, A. S .; Mary Deetz, D. M .; S. Treister, L. H .; Emma Squires, W. R. H. S. The lodge meets every Saturday night. There are now twenty-two members.


ORGANIC.


The eivil town of Jordan was organized in April, 1849. The first town meetings were held in held in the Ostrander school house. Among the officers elected at the first town meeting, in April, 1849, were: Warren Osgood, chairman; T. N. Ellis, clerk, and John Blain, chairman. Among others who have been promi- nent in town affairs are the following: Warren Osgood, Thomas White, William Munson, Levi Spaulding, James Y. Cleveland, Taylor Wiek- ersham, H. C. Cleveland, Iver Iverson, William Biggs, J. K. Bloom, N. T. Hanson, George R. King, Samuel Blackford, T. N. Ellis, M. Satter- lee, Isaac Trembley, H. G. Cleveland, M. Deva- reaux, D. II. Morgan, James M. Cook, W. H. Allen, Jacob Deetz and Nelson Rust.


The present town officers are as follows: Su- pervisors, Peter Nulty, chairman, A. P. Wells and Joseph Staley; assessor, Rolen Olsen; clerk, John Lewis; treasurer, Joshua Klasey.


898


HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.


VILLAGE OF JORDAN CENTER.


This is the name of a small village located on section 10. The land here was laid into lots and blocks in 1855 by Levi Spaulding, Man- less and Oria Satterlee, Levi Wiggins and Nehe- miah Ellis. A store was started by Amos Holmes and a blacksmith shop by A. J. Smith. Holmes carried a stock of general merchandise and was in business about two years when he sold to Manless Satterlee, who, after about two year's experience closed out. After this Jordan Center was without a store until 1882, when Hibbard Rankins erected a building and put in a stock of goods. In the spring of 1883 he sold to Jacob Deetz, the present proprietor.


Jacob Deetz was born in Columbia Co., Penn., June 4, 1831; and is a son of Jacob and Susan- na Deetz, natives of Northampton county. From Pennsylvania the family removed to Wayne, Lafayette county. Jacob Deetz, Jr., came one year later. The father is now buried in Wayne and the mother in Cadiz, this county. In 1860 Jacob returned to Pennsylvania and re- mained one and one-half years. He has taught school in Pennsylvania and in this county, both before and after marriage. He was married October 13, 1861, to Fanny B. Meachim, a daughter of Hosea and Mary (Nichols) Meach- im. Her father lives in Cadiz, where her mother was buried. They have seven children-Walter W., John A., Laura L., Mollie I., Charles H., Nettie L. and Jacob S. Mr. Deetz enlisted Ang. 30, 1864, in battery D, Ist Wisconsin Heavy Artillery and served ten months. He was mustered in at Janesville and out at New Or- leans. Ile then returned home to Jordan Center, and bought eighty acres of land on section 8 in 1865, where he lived until 1883, then he removed to Jordan Center and engaged in running a small store. He has held the office of town clerk eight years, and assessed the town a num- ber of times. Ile was justice of the peace six years, and is the present postmaster of Jordan Center.


A. J. Smith, the blacksmith, remained here about three years, when he sold to the McCon- nell Bros., who closed a short time later.


Abram Stauffacher, the present blacksmith, has been here since 1881. He does general re- pair work but no shoeing.


Jordan Center Cemetery, on section 9, was laid out in 1846, the land being donated by Elisha Stevens. A half acre has since been added by donation from James Lewis. The first burial here was of the remains of a child of Manless Satterlee.


The German M. E. Church-Christ's Church, Evangelical Association of North America- was erected in 1876, at a cost of $700. The first officers of the Church were: Andrew Mey- thaler, president; Jacob Kubli and August Wemen, board; Ilenry Zimmerman, clerk. The first members were: John D. Fritsch, August Wemen, Jacob Kubli, Jacob Zimmerman, Au- gust Schlim, August Shultz. Yoderick Kubli, Andrew Meythaler, August Kreuger, John Knoble, August Wagner and their families. Henry Uphoff was the first minister, after the church was built, superintending its erection. This Church grew from the organization of a class in 1862, consisting of John D. Fritsch and family, Mrs. Chris. Meythaler and family, Jacob Meythaler and family and John D. Fraiser and family. Services were held at private houses and school houses until the church was built. Among the ministers who have served the class and Church are: Revs Peter Messuger, John M. Hammeter, Nicholas Shoup, William Hilster, Chris. Brendel, John M. Hammeter, Leonard Buehler, Chris. Brendell, Henry Uphoff, Peter Hild, C. Green and Chris. Lahr. The latter is the present pastor.


BIOGRAPIIICAL.


The town of Jordan was settled up by a class of wide-awake, go-a-head people, as follows:


William Ableman, is a native of Albany, N. Y., born May 6, 1800. He is a son of Christian and Regina (Kaner) Ableman. His father was a native of Germany, and one of Burgoyne's


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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.


soldiers, in the War of the Revolution. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Bunker Hill, and when paroled, would not return to his old home, but remained in the United States. He and his wife have long since been laid to rest, at their old home, near Albany. The subject of our sketch remained in New York until 1835, when he removed to Rock Prairie, Walworth Co., Wis. He followed farming in that place, eleven years, then removed to this county, locating on section 22, in the town of Jordan, where he first bought forty acres of land. He now owns 280 acres. He was married in November, 1820, to Ellen Vanderberg, of New York. This union was blessed with ten children-Gilbert, John, Stephen, Reuben, James, Christian, Regina, Rachel, Joseph and Elizabeth. Mrs. Ableman died in 1850, in Johnstown, Wis. Mr. Ableman married the second time, Oet. 25, 1860. llis wife is Martha, a daughter of Jonathan Thomp- son, of New York. They have had three chil- dren-Emma L., Ephraim A. and Samuel.


George W. Phillips came to Green county in 1847. He purchased a farm on Sugar river, in the town of Mount Pleasant. He was a native of Brunswick, Medina Co., Ohio, born April 8, 1837. He removed from Ohio to Rock Co., Wis., locating on Jefferson prairie, where he re- mained one year. He then removed to the town of Mount Pleasant, this county, where he lived until 1847, when he removed to seetion 9, town of Jordan. He lived there until 1863, when he enlisted in the army. Ile served until the close of the war. His wife died on the 13th of May, 1861, and lies buried in the cemetery at Jordan Center. He was again married, and removed to his wife's property, in Rock Co., Wis. He died at Clinton Junction. His life was short after coming home from the war, for he only lived three or four weeks. He was a hard work- ing man, and in Ohio, had been a minister of the gospel in the M. E. Church. By his first marriage he had thirteen children, and by his second wife, two children. He sent six sons


and five son-in-laws to the war, besides going himself.


Levi D. Phillips, well known in Green county, was born in the State of New York, Dec. 9, 1833. He came to Wisconsin at an early day, with his parents. He remained at home until 1852, when he went to California in search of gold, follow- ing mining eighteen years, and then engaging in various other things, for about eleven years. In April, 1863, he enlisted in company M, 1st California Cavalry, serving three years. He was mustered in at Camp Stanford, Stockton, Cal., and out at Fort Sheldon, N. M., and re- turned to California. He then went into busi- ness at Chico. His next move was for Montana, where he remained two years; then he returned to Green county, in July, 1883, having been ab- sent from the county just thirty-two years.


George W. Phillips, living on seetion 18, town of Jordan, is another son. His early life was spent with his parents. In September, 1861, he was married to Cynthia Clark, daughter of D. WV. and Elizabeth Clark. On the 4th of January, 1862, he enlisted in company B, 18th Wisconsin Volunteers, and was mustered in at Milwaukee. He was in the western division, and participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, and in many skirmishes. He was discharged from the 5th street hospital, just one year from date of enlist- ment, and returned home. He now draws a pension. His farm contains sixty acres. Mr. and Mrs. Phillips have had seven children born to them-Lucius, deceased; Sarah Ada, married to William Powley, resides in Dakota; Walter D., William C., deceased; Sylvia M., Cora B. and Charles W. Mr. Phillips is a republican, politically.


Nehemiah Ellis, a native of Maine, was born near Bangor, Aug. 4, 1804. In 1819, he, with his parents emigrated to Chautauqua Co., N. Y., at which place he married to Rachael Osgood, in 1828. In 1838, he emigrated to Stephenson Co., Ill., where he purchased a farm near Orangeville, where he remained until 1847.


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HISTORY OF GREEN COUNTY.


Then on account of ill health he sold out and came to Green Co., Wis., settling near Jordan Centre. He owned a farm on section 3, where he lived till 1875. In that year he removed to Buena Vista Co., Iowa, where he owned a farm. Mr. Ellis took an active part in the organization of the town of Jordan. He was the first town clerk, also was justice of the peace and held other important offices. Ilis reputation for honesty and integrity was unquestionable. There was born to Mr. and Mrs. Ellis eleven children, six of whom are living -Mary E., now Mrs. Kinnison; Eliza A., wife of Samuel Shook, of Buena Vista county; Richard F., of Jordan; Lewis N., Laban B., and Samuel A., of Buena Vista Co., Iowa.


Richard F. Ellis was born in Chantauqua Co., N. Y., July 12, 1837. He remained with his parents until 1864. August 21 of that year he enlisted in company D, of the 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, and served till June 17, 1865. On his return from the army he bought a farm on section 11, which he sold in 1870 and bought his present farm, which contains 180 acres, on sections 13, 14, 23 and 24. His residence is on section 24. He was married Aug. 29, 1864, to Emma Bowden, a native of Knox Co., Ill., but at the time of marriage, a resident of Monroe. They have six children-William O., Flora M., Edward S., Franklin N., Robert L. and Lewis B. Mr. Ellis has held the office of town treasurer three terms, and has been school director for twenty years. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis are members of the Church of Christ.


Harney Benson, son of David and Sarah (Lamd) Benson, was born in the town of War- ren, Worcester Co., Mass., Feb. 8, 1848. His parent now live in Monroe. When Harney was two years of age his parents came to this coun- ty, and located in the town of Decatur, where they lived for eight years. They then removed to the town of Sylvester, remaining there six years; thence to the town of Jefferson. In 1866 they moved to Missouri. Harney traveled through Indian Territory, Arkansas and




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