USA > Wisconsin > Dodge County > The history of Dodge county, Wisconsin, containing its early settlement, growth an extensive and minute sketch of its cities war record, biographical sketches > Part 104
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ANDREW WELSCH, farmer, Sec. 12; P. O. Lomira; born in Bavaria; March 2, 1830 ; came to America about 1851, was in Erie, Penn., about six years, and worked on the docks and railroads; returned to Bavaria, and after three months, came to America; settled in Lomira in 1857, and on his present farm of 280 aeres in 1859; at first he rented a 10x12 shanty in Le Roy, and rented a farm the first two years ; he owned the first J. P. Manny Reaper in the town. Mr. Welsch is a most successful farmer ; brought a stallion and two mares from Pennsylvania, and from these has sold over $1,700 worth of horses ; he also eleared the site and built the Lomira steam grist and saw mill, in 1866, which he sold in 1874. Married Miss Margaret Miller in 1851 ; they have nine living children-Leonard, Catherine, Mary. Anna, Nicholas, Hubert, Margeret, Anton and John; their son Andrew is not living. Mr. Welsch is Independent in politics, and a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church.
HENRY P. WENZEL, M. D., Lomira; born in Engelstadt, Hesse-Darmstadt, Aug. 29, 1848 ; came to America in 1858, with his parents, who settled in Wabash Co., Ind .; here he had but poor school advantages, but advanced himself to the position of teacher; taught three years, and was then Superintendent of the Laketon, (Ind. ) Village Schools; he at this time held the best certificate in the county ; entered the Louisville Medical College in 1873; was dispensary physician during the last year, and graduated as physician and surgeon from the Louisville Hospital College of Medicine, February, 1875; began prac- tiee in Wheling, W. Va., and in nine months built up a practice worth $1,500; was obliged to remove for change of climate, and came to Theresa, Dodge Co., Wis. ; here he remained and practiced until January, 1879, when he settled in Lomira, where he has a good and increasing practice. The Doctor is a member of the Wisconsin State Medical Society, and the Rock River Medical Society, of which he is Secretary. He married Miss Mary A. Hendricks, April 26, 1876; they have two children-M. E. and A. E.
LUDWIG ZEIDLER, merchant, and Postmaster for Lomira ; born in Prussia, 1826; he was educated in his native land, and was five years a Prussian soldier ; he fought through the revolution of 1848 ; came to America in 1852, and settled on a farm in Lomira; at this time not a house existed in the present village ; the country to the east was heavily timbered. Mr. Zeidler improved his land and was a Do lge County farmer about twenty one years; settled in Lomira and began business in 1873; was appointed Postmaster the same year ; he has a general stock of goods, viz., dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, hardware, glassware, crockerry, notions, ete., and still owns a farin of 118 neres ; his son Paul is by trade a watchmaker, and works in the store. Mr. Zeidler is a Democrat ; has been and is now, Town Treasurer ; he is a member of the Lutheran Church. Married Miss Julia Berton in 1851; they have five living children-Bertha. Lonis, Paul, Helene and Anna.
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HERMAN TOWNSHIP.
PETER FLEURY, boot and shoe maker, and Postmaster of Huelsburg ; born in Prussia Aug. 8, 1939 ; was educated in Prussia, and spent his young days traveling in France ; eam e to America in July, 1864; spent two years in Milwaukee, was a short time in Minnesota, and settled in Hnelsburg, where he has built a large brick house and shop. He has twenty-three years' experience at his trade, is independent in politics, supporting men and ideas, not party; was made Postmaster in August, 1879. Himself and wife are Catholics. He married Lena Weber Jan. 7, 1867 ; they have one son-John, born Dec. 23. 1867.
RUFUS A. GILMAN, retired merchant and farmer, Woodland ; born in Gilmanton, N. H., Nov. 24, 1801 ; he was for many years in the mercantile and lumber business in Plattsburg, N. Y., his father having settled there in 1812; he was also owner of the Gen. Moores, and four other fine vessels on Lake Champlain ; was also five years in the iron business. On the 26th of May, 1827, he married Miss Ann H., daughter of Maj. Gen. Benjamin Moores, of the New York State militia, an early settler and lead- ing citizen of Plattsburg, who fought as Lieutenant at Yorktown, under La Fayette. Mr. Gilman and family settled on sixty acres at Woodland in 1855; he built a saw-mill, blacksmith-shop, store and resi- denee, etc .; was the first settler, and the founder of the village, which was laid out in 1860 ; his store, shop, etc., were destroyed by a whirlwind the same year. Mr. Gilman retired from active business in 1867 ; the old couple have a pleasant home in the village ; three of their children, Benjamin M., Julia and Charles S., are in Denver, Colo .; Elizabeth resides in Plattsburg, and Platt J. is in North Platte, Neb. Mr. Gilman is a Republican of the old Whig school, and was once an active Mason, uniting with the fraternity in 1825.
REUBEN JUDD, farmer, Sec. 6; P. O. Mayville ; born in Berkshire Co., Mass., April 25, 1818; spent his early life and was educated in his native State; in 1843, he removed to Ohio, and, in the spring of 1846, located in the town of Rubicon, Dodge Co., Wis .; he was a genuine pioneer, as the whole country was a trackless wilderness ; it was an easy matter to get lost, and his only guide to the raising of Hartford Mill was blazed trees ; deer, and all wild game were plenty ; in the fall of 1848, he took over thirty swarms of wild bees ; from 1849 to 1854, he was in the California gold mines ; bought his present farm of 108 acres in 1854 ; it is on the United States' road, cut during the Black Hawk war. He mar- ried Miss Rebecca Butler in the spring of 1855 ; they have five children-Henry and Henrietta (twins ), Lenora, Edea and Arthur. Mr. Judd is a Democrat, and has been Clerk of his School Distriet eighteen successive years.
CHARLES MACHMULLER, proprietor of the Woodland Hotel ; born in Brandenburg. Prussia, March 28, 1831; was educated in his native land ; came to America in 1852; was by trade a brickmaker, and lived and worked at his trade four years in Watertown, four years in Mayville five years in Theresa, one year in Washington Co., one season in Wanpun, and eleven years in Rubicon ; he has owned the Woodland Hotel since 1867, and has kept it sinee May, 1878; he built the large brick store occupied by C. A. Kautke ; owns another store, and is the leading real-estate owner in the village. Mar- ried Miss Johanna Becker in 1856; they have seven children-Matilda, Powell, Emil, Magdalena, Frank, Max and Eugene Mr. Machmuller is a member of the Democratic party and Lutheran Church.
CHARLES RINGLE, farmer, merchant aud Postmaster of Herman; born in Bavaria Oet. 30, 1835; came to America with his parents in 1846, and settled in Washington Co., Wis .; after eighteen months they settled on Sec. 25, town of Herman; he was educated in the Fatherland and in Washington Co .; began mercantile business in 1865 ; was made Postmaster in 1866; huilt a large brick store in 1876, where he has a complete stock of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, hats and eaps, millinery, crockery, glassware, patent medicines, notions, etc. Mr. Ringle is a Democrat ; was Town Treasurer nine years, Justice of the Peace four years, Town Clerk two years, and is now Chairman. Married Miss Johanna Erdman in 1858, who died Dec. 5, 1875, leaving five sons-William, Robert and Ernest (twins), Herman and Julius ; in 1876, he married Mrs. Wilhelmina Plock, a sister of the deceased wife. Mr. Ringle is a member of the New School Lutheran Church. He has 60 aeres in Herman and 400 in Marathon Co., Wis .; Mrs. Ringle has 80 acres in Herman.
GEORGE SCHOTT, County Treasurer of Dodge Co .; P. O. Herman; boru in Germany June 13, 1836; son of George M., who died in 1874, at the age of 86, in Herman; was the father of eleven children ; was a much respected and honored man; the family came to Canida in 1847, and moved to Dodge Co., Wis., in 1849, and settled on a farm of forty acres. George started for himself
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when 17 years old, farming and running a thrashing machine ; ran it four years, then bought 120 acres in Herman and commenced farming on his own account, and was engaged in selling farm machinery; through his industry and integrity has accumulated a competency. In 1862, was elected Town Treas- urer, and afterward Chairman of the town, and was elected to the Legislature in 1872 and 1876; has been on the County Board and Supervisor many times, and is now Treasurer of Dodge Co. ; received a large majority. Married, Feb. 7, 1861, Caroline Bates, daughter of Peter Bates, who was a native of Germany; have had six children-Charles, George, Caroline, William, Ida, Emma. Himself and family are members of the Lutheran Church.
JOHN STEINER, farmer, Sec. 29; P. O. Iron Ridge ; born in Wurtemberg in 1819; spent his early life and was educated in his native country ; was about eighteen months in the army; came to America in 1846; lived three years in Milwaukee Co., Wis., and settled in Herman, Dodge Co., in 1849, on his present farm of 100 acres; at the time a forest, he has since cleared and improved it, erecting good buildings and making a home. Mr. Steiner is an independent Democrat ; was a member of the Wiscon- sin Legislature in 1858; has been Justice of the Peace twenty-five years, also Chairman, Clerk and Assessor ; has been Secretary of the Herman Insurance Company since it was organized in 1836. Mar- ried Miss Rosina Kawalti in 1849, who died Feb. 3, 1863, leaving three children-John D., Mary A. and Rosa; Sept. 20, 1863, he married Miss Julia Hummel; they have three children -Sarah E., William J. and Julia.
AUGUST THIELKE, merchant, Huelsburg; born in Prussia Feb. 3, 1830; spent his early life and was educated in the Fatherland, learning his trade of brewer; came to America and to Theresa, Dodge Co., Wis., in 1934 : after eight years of farming, removed to Huelsburg, and bought a farm and brewery ; continned the business about eight years, then sold the brewery and bought the store and stock of J. Huels ; here he has a large and complete stock of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, hats and caps, hardware, tinware, millinery, patent medicines, notions, etc .; also has a farm of 178 acres in Herman. He is a Democrat, and a member, with his family, of the Lutheran Church. Married Miss Margaret Huels Feb. 18, 1863; they have nine children-Amelia, Augusta, August, Barbara, Herman, John, Mary, Emma and Gustav.
M. F. WEGWART, merchant and Postmaster, Woodland; born in Prussia March 11, 1823; spent his early life and was educated in the Fatherland ; came to America in 1854; was a brickmiker by trade, and worked one year in Milwaukee and one year in Neosho, then settled on a farm in Hustisford, which he sold in 1869, and began business in Woodland. Mr. Wegwart is a Republican ; is Treasurer of the Woodland Hook and Ladler Fire Co., and was made Postmaster in 1874; he has a large stock of dry goo:ls, groceries, hardware, tinware, glassware, stoves, crockery, boots and shoes, hats and caps, trunks, satchels, patent medicines, ete. He married Miss Ernestina Marsh March 18, 1818; they have five living children-Augusta, Rosalie, William. Herman and Ida.
LE ROY TOWNSHIP.
ERNEST ADELMEYER. blacksmith and wagon-maker, Sec. 28; P. O. Kokoskee; born in Prussia Feb. 11, 1850, son of Gottfried Adelmeyer, who was also a blacksmith ; he came to Amoriea in 1854, and settled on a farm in Le Roy, working on the farm and at his trade till his death, Oct. 16, 1872. His son, Ernest, was educated in the county, and learned his trade after his father died ; built his present shop in 1875; does general blacksmithing and manufactures wagons, carriages, sleighs, cutters, harrows, etc. He married Miss Amelia Reese June 27, 1871 ; they have three children-Katherina, Caroline and Amelia. In politics, a Republican ; he is now Supervisor of his town ; is in religion a Roman Catholic.
ANDBEW BACHHUBER, merchant and farmer, Farmersville; born in Farmersville Nov. 30. 1837 ; he is a son of Max Bachhuber, who was born in Bavaria Dec. 13, 1832, and came to America in 1846, first locating in Addison, Washington Co., Wis., then removing to Milwaukee where he lived until 1855, when he settled in L' Roy, Dodge Co .; here he owned a farm and store, and held many town offices; was a member of the Wisconsin Legislature in 1860, 1864 and 1875 ; serving as Post- master of Farmersville nine years, and resigning in favor of his wife in 1875, who in turn resigned in 1879 Mr. Bachhuber died Feb. 2, 1879, leaving a wife and ten children. He was a Democrat in politics, and a Roman Catholic in religion. His son Andrew was educated in the Mayville High School, and is now in charge of the farm and store, where he has a general stock of dry goods, groceries, hardware, tinware, crockery, patent medicines, notions, etc. Hle, like his honored father, is a Democrat and a Catholic ; was
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appointed Town Clerk to fill his father's place at his death, and received every vote cast in his town for the office, March, 1879.
HORACE BARNES, farmer, Sees. 14, 13 and 23; P. O. Farmersville ; born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., June 3, 1823 ; his hoyhood was passed in his native connty, where he was educated and mar- ried ; he came to Le Roy and settled on Government land in the spring of 1847, and had to cut his way for about a mile through dense timber in order to get his team and goods to his claim ; after building a log house he began the pioneer work of cutting and burning timber, clearing the land and making a home ; his present improved farm of 180 acres with its large and convenient buildings is the result. Mr. Barnes is a Republican ; was the second Assessor of his town, and served about nine years as Town Clerk ; was elected Chairman about 1858, and has been a member of the County Board for fourteen years, or longer than any other resident of the county. Married Miss Phebe Higgins July 1, 1864, who was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., Aug. 10, 1826; they have nine children-William D., Asa D., Horace Jr., Henry B., Julius A., Flora A., Blanche, Dnane P. and Phebe I.
C. W. COWLES. farmer, Secs. 21, 15 and 16; P. O. Kekoskee; born in Clarkson, Monroe Co., N. Y., Sept. 7, 1830; was educated in a graded school in Murray, Orleans Co., and the Brockport Collegiate Institute. In the fall of 1851, he settled in Le Roy ; taught school in joint districts, Nos. 4 and 5; afterward teaching five terms in Le Roy and one in Lomira; he bought forty acres of land, which he now owny ; it was heavily timbered, but he cleared it, has added to it, and, as a result of twenty years of toil, has a well-improved farm of 102 acres with good buildings. He is a Republican ; was Town Super- intendent under the old law ; has been Supervisor twice, and is now Justice of the Peace, and has been for ten years past. He married Miss Mary A. Farrington, of Manchester, England, Sept. 19, 1863, who was born May 17, 1842 ; they have four living children -Hattie S., Edward M., Frank L. and Albert H. Mr. Cowles has been for twenty years past a member of Dn Page Lodge, I. O. O. F., Kekoskee, and with his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His brothers, Rufus R. and Friend D., enlisted in Company B, 10th W. V. I., and Manley T. was a volunteer in the 32d W. V. I .; Rufus R. was shot in the battle of Stone River ; Friend D. died of starvation at Andersonville, and Manley T. died in the Nash- ville Hospital.
M. L. COWLES, farmer, Sec. 2 ; P. O. Oakfield, Fond du Lac Co .; born in Cortland Co., N. Y., Jan. 6, 1822 ; spent his early life and was edneated in his native county ; at 21, he went to Wind- ham Co., Conn., where he married Miss Olive, daughter of Thomis Gallup, Oct. 27, 1845, who was born Dec. 22, 1819 ; after a number of years spent here and in Westerly, R. I., they settled in Le Roy, in March, 1856 ; Mr. Cowles has 182} acres, which he has cleared of a seattering growth of timber, replac- ing the old log honse with his present residence in 1864; built a large barn in 1857 ; he has grade and full blood short-horn cattle, Merino sheep, besides other stock and the usual crops. Mr. Cowles is a Republican and a member, with his wife, of the M. E. Church. Their eldest son, George M., is farming in Richardson Co., Neb .; the two younger, Charles H. and Emma M., reside in Dodge Co.
NICHOLAS EBERHART, farmer, Sec. 11; P. O. Oakfield, Fond du Lac Co .; born in Alsace Feb. 15, 1823; was educated and learned the trade of miller in his native land ; came to America in 1844, lived three years in New York State, and then made a five-months visit to his fatherland ; on his return, brought about sixty families with him ; he settled in Walworth Co., Wis., where he had a hard struggle with poverty and bad luck ; had a fifty-acre farm, and worked like a slave ; in 1855, he settled in Le Roy on eighty aeres, which he now owns; having more means, he bought eighty more in 1856 ; this farm is improved in every way ; his large brick house was built in 1871. He married Miss Chris- tina Eberhart, in June, 1847 ; they have four sons-Lewis, Christian, George and Edward. Mr. Eber. hart is a Republican, and a member of the Evangelicil Association of North America.
JOHN FISHER, farmer, Sec. 24; P. O. Farmersville; born in Wurtemberg Jan. 2, 1832; spent his early life and was educated in the Fatherland, and came to America in 1854; was a laborer in New York and Ohio about five years, and settled on a farm in Lomira in 1859; enlisted in the 15th Ill. V. C., in August, 1861, was in Missouri, Arkansas and Mississippi, and with Sherman in his Vicksburg failure ; the regiment then came North an I captured Arkansas Post, and was with Grant in the final Vicks- burg campaign ; then returned to Little Rock, Ark., where they wintered ; had a desperate battle at Saline River, Ark., and was discharged at the end of the three years, or in August, 1864. He returned to Lomira and sold his farm in 1866, when he located on his farm of fifty-six acres. Married Miss Wil- helmina Fisher April 20, 1866 ; they have four children-Mary, John, Martin and Magdalena. Mr. Fisher is a Republican ; was Town Treasurer in 1870, and is now serving his fifth term as Assessor.
MYRON G. GRAVES, farmer, Sec. 1; P. O. Oakfield ; born in Cortland Co., N. Y., Sept. 30, 1836 ; son of Austin and Sophronia Graves, who settled on eighty acres of Government land in Le
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Roy, in May, 1846; this was the third or fourth family in the town ; Mr. Graves built a log house, and, on the 20th of May, with three others, cut the first road to the Mayville saw-mill and brought back a load of lumber. Austin Graves cleared this farm and made a home; he died in February, 1879, leaving his wife and four sons. M. G. Graves was educated in the county, where he lived until September, 1861, when he enlisted in the famous 10th W. V. I; was captured at Pulaski, Tenn .; paroled, and, returning to Wisconsin, was honorably discharged in July, 1862; in 1864, he went overland to Nevada and California, remaining about four years. On his return. he married Miss Lydia A., daughter of P. H. Kinyon, Dec. 26, 1869; they have four children-Eva L, Walter K., Hattie E. and Nellie L. Mr. Graves owns the old farm ; he is Republican, and a member, with his wife, of the M. E. Church.
JOSEPH HEIMERL, Jr., farmer, Sec. 36; P. O. Farmersville; born in Bavaria Aug. 15, 1842; his parents came to America and to Lomira, Dodge Co., Wis., in 1853, locating on heavily timbered land; they did real okl settlers' work, in chopping out a farm and home; Mr. Heimerl afterward deeded this farm to his son, the subject of this sketch, who sold it in 1871, and bought his present farm of ninety-six acres, upon which he has erected most of the buildings; he was a teacher in the district schools of Lomira six terms; is an ardent Democrat in politics; was Assessor three terms, and Supervisor one term, in Lomira, and has been Assessor and Chairman of Le Roy; he is now the Democratic can li- date for the Wisconsin Assembly for his district. Is in religion a Catholic. He married Miss Mary Waas Jan. 25, 1865; they have four children-Justina, Clara, Joseph and John-having lost four children.
LOUIS LEHNER, merchant, Lehner's Corners; born in Bavaria July 27, 1849; his parents emigrated to America in 1852, and settled in Addison, Washington Co., Wis., removing in 1860 to a farm in Le Roy. Louis Lehner was educated in Wisconsin, and enlisted in the 1st W. V. C. in 1864; was with his regiment in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia; had many engagements, and saw much hard service with that famous regiment; was honorably discharged in July, 1865. Returning, he worked on the Le Roy farm until 1871, when he bought the store and stock at what was then Sterr's Corners; has since continued the business; has a complete stock of dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, hardware, drugs and medicines, notions, etc. Married Miss Kate Waas Dec. 14, 1871; they have four children- Louis, Anna K., Matilda C. and Lillie M. Mr. Lehner is a Democrat and a Roman Catholic.
JOHN McCLAIN, farmer, Sec 21; P. O. Kekoskee; born in County Tyrone, Ireland, Oet. 28, 1829; came to America in 1848,. and settled in Schuylkill Co., Penn., where he was engaged in transferring coal from the cars to the canal-boats until 1864, when he came to Le Roy and settled on his present farm of ninety acres; this was only partially chopped off, and he did genuine frontier work in clearing the land and making a home. He marri ul Miss Jane Crawford, of County Tyrone, in 1859; they have five children-John, Sarah, Oliver, Robert and Jane. Mr. McClain is a Republican and a member of the M. E. Church.
JULIUS MARTEL, farmer, Scc. 36; P. O. Mayville; born in Alsace, France, Nov. 2, 1851; his parents came to America in 1856, and, after one year in Mayville, settled on a farm in Williamstown; here Mr. Martel lived, with the exception of three years spent in the Mayville High School, until 1877, when he settled on his present farm of ninety-two acres, upon which he has made substantial improvements. He married Miss Bertha Bosim Oct. 10, 1877; they have one daughter- Adell, horn Sept. 27, 1878. Mr. Martel is a Republican and one of the stirring young farmers of his town.
JOSEPH MARX, farmer and hotel-keeper, Sccs. 2 and 5; P. O. Farmerville; born in Rubi- con, Dodge Co., Wis., Oct. 11, 1852; son of Nicholas Marx, a shoemaker, who was born in Germany June 10, 1822, and settled in Rubicon in 1848; after ten or twelve years, he removed to Le Roy and built the Five-Mile House, which he kept until his death, May 13, 1874, the business being continued by his sons Joseph and Frank. Joseph Marx lived in Dodge Co. until June 21, 1870, when he enlisted in the 3d U. S. Regulars, but, on account of defective eyesight, was soon discharged ; in the spring of 1871, he went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked two years in a foundry and one year at railroading; on his return to Farmersville, he married Miss Susanna Wiesner, of Washington Co., Wis., May 18, 1875; they have three children-Joseph J., Susanna I. and Daniel F. Mr. Marx is a Democrat, and was Justice of' the Peace two years in Le Roy.
W. P. MILES, farmer, Secs 4 and 5; P. O. Oak Conter, Fond du Lac Co., Wis .; born in Genesee Co., N. Y., Sept. 5, 1842; son of David Miles, born in St. Johnbury Plains, Vt., June 17, 1798. The Miles family were among the first settlers in Le Roy, in spring of 1816 ; only four or five families in the town ; Mr. Miles bought U. S. land, built a log house, cleared up his farm, and made a home ; wild game was plenty, but they had to pound corn into meal, as the nearest mill was at Neenah, and the nearest mar- ket Milwaukee ; W. P. Miles saw rough pioneer experience, as the family was large and money scarce ; he
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used to wear rags on his feet to school in winter, drying then luring school hours, and werring then home again. He resided on the old farm until Sept. 9, 1861, when he enlisted in Co. B, 10th W. V. I .; wis Drum- Major of the regiment, and served with it until Mirch, 1862, when he was honorably discharge I on account of disability ; his brother. Holsey. was shot by bushwhackers in Woodville, Ala .; in October, 1864, Mr. Miles enlisted in Co G, Ist W. V. C., was in the battles at Hopkinsville, Ky., help alchise Ho, I over the Tennessee River, was in the fights at Columbus, Ga., and present at capture of Montgomery and Selma, Ala., was also with his famous regiment when it rewarded the 4th Mich. V. I. for its treachery in the cipture of Jefferson Davis, by shooting about 30 men, and he thinks the entire 4th would have farel hird bu; for Col. Harndon of the Ist ; on his return, Mr. Miles settled on the old homestead of 140 acres, which he his owned since the death of his father, July 19, 1876. Married Miss Mary McClain in 1856; they have four children -Florence, Holsey, Calista and MInzetta. Mr. Miles is a Republicin, and has been Consta- ble and Supervisor ; is also an Odd Fellow.
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