The history of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, Part 149

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Western historical company
Number of Pages: 1082


USA > Wisconsin > Fond du Lac County > The history of Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin > Part 149


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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GEORGE JESS, banker and capitalist, and Mayor of the city of Waupun ; born Oet. 15, 1819, in Kinys Co., Nova Scotia; son of John L. P. Jess, who wasa respected citizen of that county, and lived to be 90 years old ; Mr. Jess came to Walworth Co., Wis., in the spring of 1842, and, in 1845, came to Dodge Co .; he soon purchased a tract of land in Columbia Co., and, in the fall of 1845, went to Fox Lake, Dodge Co .; he purchased the American House, which was but partially completed, finished it and kept tavern till the spring of 1846 ; he had been, all this time, improving his property in Columbia Co .; he became engaged in loaning money and trading, and, in 1850, went across the Plains to California and car- ried on an extensive drover's business ; handled cattle from Southern California to San Francisco ; also shipped from Mexico in large droves; through his energy, made a success, and returned to Fox Lake in the fall of 1853, and engaged in loaning money and speculating in land and live stock ; in 1876, went to Waupun and erected one of the finest buildings in the city, and engaged in the banking and exchange business. under the firm name of Geo. Jess & Co .; the concern is on a sound basis and enjoys a prosperous traffic. Mr. Jess married Maria T. Judd, daughter of Stoddard Judd, who was one of the earliest and most prominent settlers in this part of the State ; he was one of the framers of the State Constitution, and was in the Assembly and Senate at different times; was largely interested in railroads, and was esteemed one of the leading men of those times. Mr. Jess is the father of one child-Stoddard Jess, born Dec. 3, 1856. He married a daughter of B. Chenoweth, one of the first settlers of Monroe, Wis., who is now a prominent merchant of that place. Stoddard Jess is cashier of the bank of Geo. Jess & Co., and has almost the entire charge of the business. Mr. Geo. Jess has been a member of the County Board and held other minor offices. He is now Mayor of the city of Waupun, and is a prominent Mason.


CHARLES JONES, merchant, Waupun ; born on Long Island, N. Y., April 30, 1831 ; son of Gen. David W. Jones, who was a soldier in the war of 1812 ; Mr. Jones, together with his brother, E. W. Jones, under the firm name of C. & E. W. Jones, are extensively engaged in business in Waupun ; they carry the largest stock of dry goods, fancy goods and notions in that part of the country ; also deal largely in groceries, hats and caps, in fact, carry a very full and complete line of all goods that are to be found in a first-class establishment of that kind ; the firm is favorably known for its fair dealing and earnest endeavors to please its customers, and the fact that they have met with such abundant success is strictly owing to their untiring industry, good management and discretion in purchasing such salable goods as always find a ready market and quick sale.


B. F. JONES, farmer, Sec. 18; P. O. Waupun ; born Jan. 1, 1817, in Berkshire Co., Mass. His father was a farmer and collier ; when of age, B. F. worked at farming one year, then peddled dry goods, silverware, jewelry and Yankee notions for a year and a half, doing a wholesale business in farming tools at the same time; afterward went into coal burning for a while, then went into the iron business, helping to build three furnaces, and having a general superintendence of the mining, furnishing wood, etc.,


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for two of them. Came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1850, lived a few months on Wedge's Prairie in tho town of Wanpun, and Jan. 6, 1851, removed to Sec. 18, where he has since resided. Has followed farm- ing ever since he came to Wisconsin ; was married April 26, 1847, to Elizabeth S. Andrews, who was born Nov. 27, 1831, in Saratoga Co., N. Y., town of Athol; she was daughter of Geo. Seymour Andrews ; her mother's maiden name was Margaret McEwen ; have six children-Margaret, now Mrs. Robert Bogie, Waupun ; Helen Josephine, now Mrs. David Stoddart, of Alto ; Benj. F., lives in Brandon ; Isodene, Geo. W. and Bertha, still living with their parents; has 260 acres of land in Fond du Lac Co., worth $40 per acre. In politics, Greenbacker.


WILLIAM M. JONES, foundryman, Waupun ; born in Cortland, Westchester Co., N. Y., June 12, 1322 ; son of Samuel Jones, who was a brave soldier in the war of 1812; his father was Smith Jones a New York State man, and his father was from Wales ; Samuel Jones was a farmer and mechanic ; he died in 1843, at the age of 64; William, when 15 years old, commenced to learn the iron molder's trade in Peekskill ; worked at that trade three and a half years; then went to Lawrenceville, Penn. Married, in 1842, Angelina Herrick, daughter of Job Herrick, who was a native of Vermont; children are Mary E., now Mrs. Walker, early developed a fine voice for music, and is now considered one of the fine singers in the country ; she is now in Chicago ; William A., died in 1878; Frances, married A. Free- man, and is living in Minnesota ; Emma A., married J. H. Robbins, and is living in Michigan; William M., died in infancy ; Evia D., is living at home ; Edgar H., married Emma Baldwin ; he is a molder by trade ; Delia, living at home; Jeff, married a Gamble. Mr. William Jones, after marriage, went to Peck- skill and to Port Chester, and then to Troy, N. Y., and to Painted Post, where he engaged in the stove and tinware business ; then went to Knoxville, Penn., and to Waukesha, Wis., in 1854, and, in 1856, to Horicon, and, in August, 1873, came to Waupun and has been engaged in the foundry business ever since. Mr. Jones was elected Constable when in Knoxville, and, in Horicon, was Supervisor and on the Village Board. Mr. Jones is a Royal Arch Masons has been connected with Masonry thirty-five years. Mr. Jones is a man of earnest convictions ; if he believes he is right, he " sticks to it ;" he has a competence through his hard work and attention to business.


ELI JOHNSON (deceased ), was born May 5, 1827, in Erie Co., N. Y .; first came to Wis- consin in the fall of 1848; bought a farm ; then returned to New York, and was married, April 24, 1850, to Angeline E. Nichols, who was born Ang. 6, 1828, in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y .; daughter of Alanson and Jerusha Nichols, who are still living in Erie Co., N. Y. In the fall of 1850, he again came to Wisconsin, and settled on the farm he already owned in the town of Waupun, Sec. 17, where he resided at the time of his death, which occurred April 24, 1879 (on his wedding anniversary ), of dropsy, after an illness of about six months. His father, Elisha Johnson, is still living in Erie Co., N. Y., aged about 80. His mother's maiden name was Auna Chaffee ; she died in June, 1861 ; his grandfather was a Captain in the war of 1812, and, when a child 2 years old, was carried by his mother, on her baek, from Wyoming to Buffalo, through the wilderness, to escape from the Indians at the Wyoming massacre. Mr. Johnson was a thorough-going Republican, from the time the party was organized, and took an active part in raising men and means to carry on the war during the rebellion ; also took a great deal of interest in educational matters. Left a family of six children, three of whom, viz., George, Helen (now Mrs. Le Grand Tillotson ) and Horace Greeley, are living in Lake Co., D. T., and Mortimer Bodwell, Fred W. and Emery R., living on the homestead with their mother. The estate consists of a 200-acre farm, with good buildings, which, with the stock, is valued at almost $12,000. Both members of the Free-Will Baptist Church,


JOHN M. LOOP, farmer, Sec. 4; P. O. Ladoga; born Feb. 25, 1827, in the town of Solon, Cortland Co., N. Y .; came to Wisconsin in the summer of 1843, and settled in the town of Wheatland, in what was then Racine Co. (now Kenosha Co.); engaged in farming there for three years ; then came to Iron Ridge, Dodge Co., and lived there till December, 1865 ; then went to Le Roy, six miles north of Mayville, and in October, 1875, eame to the town of Waupun and bought the farm he now owns ; 120 acres in Waupun and 40 aeres opposite in Springvale; paid $10,000 for the 160 acres. Was married first, in January 1842, to Catharine Niver, of Iron Ridge, Wis., who died July 21, 1862, leaving three children-Addie, now Mis. John Hungerford, of Le Roy ; Seymour A., and Sarah, now Mrs. Matt Slade, of Metomen, Fond du Lac Co. May 11, 1864, married, for his second wife, Emma Niver (a sister of his first wife), by whom he has six children-Della, John, Artic, Frank Everett, Allen and Mirta L. Was Assessor of Waupun in 1877.


WILLIS LANG, farmer, Sec. 19; P. O. Waupun ; born Jan. 30, 1832, in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y .; came to Wisconsin in June, 1848, and worked at blacksmithing in the village of Waupon two years ; then went to Waushara Co., Wis, aud followed farming in the town of Leon till September, 1855, and worked at blacksmithing again until June, 1868; then bought the farm he now owns in the town of


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Waupun, and has resided there since. Has 240 acres, worth $40 per acre; in the spring of 1876, he built a cheese factory 24x44, two stories, and has run it four seasons, using the milk of over five hundred cows in the summer of 1878 ; the last summer about two hundred and fifty. Was married Jan. 1, 1856, to Mary Splain, who died Dec. 13, 1867, aged 33, leaving six children ; Milan died Aug. 1, 1868, aged 18 months, leaving five living at the present time, viz., Henry, Alice, Mary, Maggie and Lottie; was mar- ried a second time, June 13, 1868, to Mrs. Mary E. Place, whose maiden name was Hughes ; her first husband, E. F. Place, was a native of St. Lawrence Co., N. Y .; enlisted, in February, 1863, in Co. D, 3d W. V. I., and died in Harney Hospital, Madison, Wis., March 4, 1865, leaving four children-Emma (now Mrs. T. B. Dailey, of Great Bend, Kan. ), Theresa, Mary and Nellie. Mr. Lang, by his second mar- riage, has three children-Willis, David and Guy.


THOMAS MeCARTY. farmer, Sec. 2; P. O. Ladoga; born July 12, 1829, in County Ros- common, Ireland, parish of Crogham ; son of Michael MeCarty ; he came to America in 1855, and lived in Wayne Co., N. Y., one year ; then came to Wisconsin, and settled in the town of Black Wolf, Winnebago Co .; in 1862, he removed to Oakfield, Fond du Lac Co .; lived there one year, and then went to Lamartine (same county), and resided there until 1878; then sold out, and bought seventy acres for $3,150, in the town of Waupun, where he now resides. He was married, Feb. 4, 1856, to Mrs. Mary Power, whose maiden name was Mary MeGraw ; she was born in the County Waterford, parish of C'est- ran, Ireland, March 17, 1820; they have two children, John and Martin ; Mrs. McCarty had seven chil- dren by her first husband-Richard, Thomas, James, Mary, Neddie, Patrick and Margaret. In politics, Mr. McCarty is a Democrat, and both himself and wife are members of the Catholic Church.


JAMES MCELROY, retired farmer, Waupun ; born in County Armagh, North of Ireland, Oct. 17, 1809 ; son of William McElroy ; his father was John McElroy, and the family originally came from Scotland ; William McElroy and family came to Canada in the fall of 1821, and engaged in farming ; William died Oct. 8, 1871, at the good old age of 93; James was brought up to work, and, at an early age, earned his own living; he used to chop wood, and cleared land for from $2.50 to $6 per acre ; by dint of industry, he accumulated enough of money to buy fifty acres of wild land in Canada, which he cleared and soll; he then bought 100 acres of Church reserve land, worked that until 1836, when he sold out and went to Michigan to settle on ninety-three acres-paid $10 per acre, and afterward sold for $30 per acre, and came to Wisconsin in 1848 (he had been here in 1845, prospecting), and settled on 160 acres in the towns of Alto, Waupun and Trenton, then added eighty acres more, and afterward forty more; he How owns one of the finest farms in this part of the country ; in May, 1872, he moved into the city of Waupun ; through his industry and untiring energy, he now has a competence ; Mr. McElroy, in the town of Alto, was Supervisor two years, and County Commissioner two years, and was ten years Chairman of Board of Supervisors; in 1863, was elected to the Assembly, and served on several committees. Mar- ried, Jan. 16, 183-1, Harriet E. Taylor, daughter of Capt. John Taylor, who was a soldier in the war of 1812; their children are Eliza (married A. Roney), John W. (is farming in the town of Trenton), R. B. McElroy (is in Milwaukee in the commission business-he married a Miss Burnham), Allen T. (married a Miss Ackerman ) ; two children died in infancy ; Mr. McElroy and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and have been for about forty years; he has been Class-Leader, Trustee and Steward, most of this time ; he has been President of the Old Settlers' Club ever since its organization, and has been President of the Waupun Mutual Insurance Company ever since it started ; he has been an Odd Fellow many years, and has taken all the degrees, and attended the Grand Lodge, and Mrs. McElroy is a member of the Rebecea Lodge, and she has held all the offices; Mr. McElroy has also been a Mason many years, and belongs to the Temple of Honor and Good Templars also. He owes his success in life to his unceasing hard work, indomitable perseverance and untiring industry.


PARLEY MERRIAM, retired farmer, See. 33; P. O. Waupun ; born Feb. 14, 1795, in Oxford, Worcester Co., Mass. He was married, Jan. 14, 1822, to Lucy Brown, who was born Feb. 16. 1795, in the town of Thompson, Windham Co., Conn .; after marriage, he lived in Massachusetts and Connecticut until 1831; then removed with his family to Otsego Co., N. Y., and followed farming in the town of Butternuts until 1844, when he came to Wisconsin, and lived two years in the town of Gene- see ( then Milwaukee Co., now Waukesha) ; in the spring of 1846, he came to Fond du Lac Co., and located on See. 33, in the town of Waupun, where he still resides ; he was Supervisor of the town of Waupun several years, and Captain of a militia company in Massachusetts, where he is still known among his old acquaintances as Capt. Merriam ; Mrs. Merriam died in Waupun, Sept. 24, 1878, of old age, being in her 84th year ; there are three children living, as follows: Sarah (now Mrs. D. L. Baneroft, of Waupun ), Ira and Nelson, both living in the town of Waupun; Mr. Merriam was among the first settlers of the town of Waupun, and with them stood his share of the hardships and privatioos ineident to settling


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up a new country. He cast his first vote in a Presidential election for James Monroe, and has never missed an election since, except two Presidential elections when Wisconsin was a Territory ; he was an Old Time Whig, and has voted the Republican ticket ever since the party was organized ; now, at the age of 85, he takes a lively interest in politics, and feels anxious to live long enough to cast one more Republican vote for President. Nelson Merriam was born May 4, 1832, in Otsego Co., N. Y., and came West with his parents; was married, Nov. 20, 1872, to Ellen Boardman, who was born April 23, 1849 ; they have two children-Hugh N. and Ray C .; he has 240 acres of land, valued at almost $10,000; Mrs. Merriam is a member of the M. E. Church ; Mr. Merriam pays a good deal of attention to stock-raising, especially sheep ; he sold over 6,000 pounds of wool in the fall of 1879.


L. W. MILES, farmer, Sec. 10, P. O. Waupun; born Feb. 6, 1841, in Coos Co., N. H., came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1864, and was employed at earpenter work in the city of Fond du Lac for about four years. May 6, 1867, he was married to Arabella Kendall, who was born Nov. 26, 1850, in the town of Fond du Lac, two miles south of the city, in what is known as the " Two Mile House," kept at that time by her father, -- Kendall; April 1, 1868, Mr. Miles left the city of Fond du Lac, living two miles south about a year and a half; then at Seven Mile Creek ( Lamartine), about four months, when, on Jan. 24, 1870, he removed to the farm he now owns and occupies, where he has followed farm- ing since, except three years that he worked for the railroad company, from Nov. 1, 1872, to Nov. 1, 1875 ; he has an eighty-acre farm, valued at about $55 per acre ; has five children-Lillie May, born May 1, 1865 ; Clarence A., Aug. 1, 1869 ; Carrie Bell and Charles L. (twins), Sept. 3, 1875, and George Frank- lin, Jan. 3, 1879.


PHELPS MOORE, livery stable; born in Genesee Co., N. Y., Dec. 11, 1827; son of S. F. Moore, who was from Vermont, and was a soldier in the war of 1812; he enlisted when at the age of 18, and was engaged in several battles ; he emigrated to Erie Co., N. Y., and died when about 56 years old. Phelps Moore came to Waupun in the fall of 1849; he went to La Crosse and entered 180 acres of land ; he lived in Minnesota three years; in 1851, engaged in the grocery business in Waupun and afterward went into the livery business, which he has been successfully engaged in since ; he has the best livery stock in this part of the country. Mr. Moore married Anna M. Hewitt, daughter of George A. Hewitt ; the children were Edith M., died when 2 years old ; Ellis T., is attending college ; Bay, is attending school in Waupun. Mr. Moore is a man of liberal spirit, and a prominent member of the society of Odd Fellows.


AMOS NUDD, merchant ; born in Rockingham Co., N. H., Sept. 6, 1820; son of John Nudd, who was born and brought up in the same county, and his father, Weare Nudd, was also " raised " in New Hampshire, and was enrolled as a minute-man in the Revolution; these ancestors came from England ; it is not positively known if they " came over in the Mayflower," "or that three brothers came to this country," etc., etc., but the family has a good record, and belonged to that good old Puritan stock whose blood has coursed the veins of the noblest men and women America has produced. Mr. John Nudd was a well-to-do farmer ; when the war of 1812 came he joined the ranks and helped whip the British again ; he lived, and died on the old homestead Jan. 8, 1867, at the age of 78. He was a member of the Legislature at one time, and was every way a eitizen honored and respected. His wife was Mary Worthington, who died years ago. Amos lived at home till 1851, then went to Exeter, N. H., and engaged in business there five years ; then emigrated to Richland, Wis., taught school at times, and in August, 1862, came to Waupun and became engaged with M. J. Althouse in the manufacture of pumps ; Mr. Nudd was the inventor of a lateral waste valve, which was applied to these pumps; he ac- cepted a position in the counting-room of the concern, and was there till 1874, and was also with Alt- house, Wheeler & Co .; May, 1877, formed copartnership with C. M. Brooks, and engaged in the furni- ture business, under the firm name of Brooks & Nudd ; they have been carrying on a very successful business. Mr. Nudd married, Dec. 22, 1840, Luey A. James, daughter of E. M. James, who was a good old Yankee from Deerfield, Rockingham Co., N. H. The old homestead is in possession of Fred P. James, who is one of the Directors of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad ; the children were George, who died when 5 years old ; Georgina L., married C. D. Nichols, and living in Columbus, Cherokee Co. Kan .; Mary L., married George Foster, and is living in Oshkosh, Wis .; Nellie F., married Albert Ray- mond, and is living in Chester ; one child died in 1858, and another in 1854. Mr. Nudd's brother, Willian Nudd, was a brave soldier in the 15th N. H. V. I., was in many battles, and died from exposure, in August, 1864. Mr. Nudd has held offices of trust, and is a member of the society of Odd Fellows; he is also a strong advocate of temperance and a member of the Temple of Honor. It doesn't require the aid of stimulants or narcotics to make Mr. N. a jovial companion, a wit, or a poet-these acquirements are inherent.


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J. N. O'BRIEN, M. D., physician and surgeon; born in West Chester, Penn., Sept. 15, 1838; Dr. O'Brien entered Notre Dame College in 1856 and graduated in 1859; commenced the study of medicine at the Rush Medical College in 1861; eminent among the profession there at that time Prof. Brainard, James Adams Allen, Prof. J. W. Freer, Prof. Ray ; Dr. O'Brien, after a thorough course of study, commenced the practice of medicine in Plymouth, Sheboygan Co., Wis., and, in 1878, came to Wanpun ; he is a member of the State Medical Society and a prominent member of the American Medical Association ; also a member of the County Medical Society; he has a large and constantly increasing practice. Dr. O'Brien married, in May, 1866, Anna J. Smith, daughter of Col. H. N. Smith, late Warden of the Wisconsin State Prison and wbo for many years was a prominent Democratie politician of the State; the children are Daisy, born July 4, 1869; Sarah, born Oct. 24, 1872; Harold N., born in April, 1877. The Doctor is a man of genial temperament, and, although his valuable time is mostly occu- pied with his studies and practice, he occasionally finds an opportunity to follow the sports of the field, and game from mud-hens to deer have to suffer.


R. L. OLIVER, attorney ; born in Scotland, May 4, 1834; son of Thos. Oliver, a hardware merchant; he came to the town of Alto, Wis., in 1848; came to Waupun and engaged in the manufact- ure of plows; was successfully engaged till 1858, when he went into the hardware business and carried it on till the time of his death, Dee. 29. 1868. Robert enlisted in Co. D, 3d W. V. I .; was in all the battles that that regiment engaged in; was appointed Sergeant Major after the battle of Antietam on account of bravery ; returned to Waupun in 1864; commenced the study of law in 1865 and now bas a successful practice. Married Grace Sampey, daughter of Thos. Sampey; have had three children-Ada Belle, Gertie and Grace.


ANDREW OLSON, farmer; Sec. 34; P. O. Waupun; born January 27, 1831, in Nor- way, near the city of Christiana; came to America in 1855, and settled in the village of Waupun, lived there three years, then bought a sixty-acre farm ou Sec. 29, in the town of Waupun, where he resided until the fall of 1870, when he bought the farm he now occupies and has lived there since. Has 251 acres, valued at about $12,000. Was married August 25, 1859, to Charity Higginson. who was born January 21, 1835, also in Norway, and came to America in 1854; has five children-Olive H., Clara G., Nellie Harriet, Jennie Augusta and Alfred Clarence. He is Republican, and both Lutherans.


E. A. PADGHAM, merchant; born in Madison Co., N. Y., Sept. 6, 1840; son of John Padgham, who was born in Sussex, Eng., Feb. 21, 1799; he was a miller by trade, and was also a local Methodist preacher of celebrity; he married, Oct. 11, 1824, Miss Charlotte Hobbs, of St. Peter's Iste, Thanite, Eng .; she was born May 6, 1798; the family came to America in 1830, and Mr. John Padg- ham engaged in farming, which he carried on successfully till the time of his death; his wife is now living in Randolph, Wis., at the good old age of 81; she has in her possession some of a celebrated brand of flour that her husband made, the week they were married, in the old Northwood Windmill at St. Lawrence, Eng. Edward A. Padgham came to Waupun in 1861 to take charge of Enen's Prison City Item office; he shortly after entered Co. K, 10th W. V. I .; was in all the engagements with his regiment; served his time faithfully, and was mustered out Nov. 3, 1864, after having served three years and three months; returned to Waupun, and married, Jan. 3, 1865, Miss Addie Moore, daughter of Mills Moore; have had one child-Jessie A., born Dec. 29, 1872. In 1865, Mr. Padgham was engaged with Phelps Moore, and then with Sikes & Nichols; then accepted a position with Mr. Van Valkenburg, and, shortly after, went to work for I. V. Preston, druggist; in 1867, Mr. Padgham loaded all his worldly possessions on a wagon, and, with ox-teams, took his march with his family for the great West; they traveled many hundred miles, and suffered some hardships; after getting into Iowa, and not finding the prospect pleasing, they retraced their way to Waupun; Mr. Padgham is now successfully engaged in business in Waupun; has one of the neatest and handsomest stores in the city, aud carries a very com- plete and well-assorted stock of groceries, crockery, etc. Himself and wife are members of the Congre- gational Church.


CHARLES RANK, retired merchant ; born June 14, 1824, in Ruegem, Germany, an island in the Baltic Sea and a place of summer resort; he was the son of Carl Louis Rank. Charles was a soldier in the old country in the 28th Regiment Prussian Infantry ; was honorably discharged at Aix La Chapelle June 22, 1848 ; this was one of the regiments sent to Rastad- Baden to quell a rebellion in which Carl Sehurz, Gen. Sigel and others, since citizens of fame in this country, were prominent leaders. Carl Louis Rank and family came to Milwaukee, Wis., Oct. 6, 1848; Carl shortly after to Washington Co., and died there in 1854 ; he was born Jan. 9, 1793. Charles was a journeyman tailor in Milwaukee several years ; was employed with II. Friend & Bro. five years; in the fall of 1854, engaged in business for him- self near the Kirby House; in May, 1855, came to Waupun and started a general store in company with




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