National Normal University, Warren County, Ohio
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Lebanon, Ohio (1855-1917)
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STUDENTS & FACULTY

The school had about 80,000 graduates. The names of a small handful of them (as submitted by researchers or as posted elsewhere on the internet) are listed below. The list is slowly growing. If you would like to add your ancestor to this list, send an email to Arne H Trelvik with whatever information you might have about their attendance at the school. I'd be happy to include a photo and short bio if you have them.

Students listed at the "Southwest Normal School" in the 1870 census
Students listed at the "Normal School" in the 1880 census
unknown students (can you help?)

SURNAMES BEGINNING WITH
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Wade, Wales, Walker, Wallis, Walton, Ward, Warner, Warren, Weaver, Webster, Weed, Weik, Welch, Welfling, Welker, West, Wheeler, Whitacre, White, Whiteside, Whitmore, Wiley, Will, Willhouse, Williams, Willis, Wilson, Winans, Winegar, Winfield, Winkler, WithersWolcott, Wolfe, Womack, Woolman, Workman, Worley, Wright, Wrightsman,

WADE
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  • W.F. Wade, Rocky Mount, Virginia
    • Assistant Professor Phyllis Fleming writes,
      "I have some wonderful historical items from the National Normal School. One is the 27th Annual + Commencement for the Classics Class, 1882. It was conducted at the Opera House, Lebanon, Ohio, on Friday, 4, 1882.
      According the this paper, W.F. Wade, Rocky Mount, Virginia, was in that class. He became a teacher and an innovator in education. He and his wife [Lucy Lavinder Wade] began the Edgewood Normal School, Dickson, TN."
    • Listed as "W. T. Wade, B.A. '82, Dickson, Tenn. Principal of Normal College" on page 100 of "A Roster of the Alumni and Alumnæ of the National Normal University, Lebanon, Ohio" (Lebanon, Ohio, Alumnal Association, 1893)
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  • William Wade "
    • was educated to the teaching profession at the now National Normal, of Lebanon, formerly the Southwestern, in which he spent three full terms." See Biography from William G. Cutler's "History of the State of Kansas"
WALES
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  • Richard Fallas Wales (1841 - 1890)
    • 14 Aug 1890 Western Star Obituary says,
      "After a short course at the Normal School, at Lebanon, he entered a commercial college in Detroit, Michigan, from which he graduated with honor."
WALKER
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WALLIS
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WALTON
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WARD
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  • Frank A. Ward
    • from 17 Dec 1884 Western Star obituary,
      "He was a graduate of the "National Normal University," at Lebanon. He graduated with the "Class of 81." He taught one year at Goshen, Ohio, with success, an dthen came to Lynnville, ind., where he taught until his death."
WARNER
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  • Mordecai Harvey Warner (1871-____)
     
    • From Robert L. Warner on 7 May 2008:
      "The note book in my grandfather's hand writing has the date of April 20, 1892. He was born Sept. 5. 1871. He came to Lebanon from Calais Ohio, Noble County and is said to have walked five miles to where he taught for a short time.The notebook and the grade sheet belong to his 95 yr old sister and her daughter. I will try to include his picture. His name was Mordecai Harvey Warner."
    • From Robert L. Warner of Xenia, Ohio on 4 & 5 Sep 2011:
      "Mordecai Harvey Warner at the National Normal University, Lebanon, Ohio. He is in the center of the back row.
      "Mordecai Harvey Warner was born just after the Civil War in 1871. He grew up in the rural hills of Eastern Ohio, Nobel and Monroe Counties. He attended the National Normal University, Lebanon, Ohio. He took the Teacher Exam at Woodsfield, Monroe County, in 1892 and 1893. He was certified to teach Orthography, Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Geography, English Grammar, U.S. History Physiology, Hygiene and the Effects of Narcotics. ( I could not find where he taught but we were told he walked five miles.)
      He moved his family of six children to a farm near Woodstock, Champaign County, Ohio in 1915. In addition to farming and animal production he became active in promoting the Farm Bureau, the Ohio Cooperative Wool Growers Association and a Livestock Shipping Association."
WARREN
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WEAVER
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WEBSTER
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WEED
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abt 1870


80 years old


1915

p, 226

p. 227

  • Judson Weed; Vernonia, Oregon (1846-1929) - Southwestern Normal School 1869-1870
    • 22 Jul 2012 email from William Weed:
      "My great grandfather was Judson Weed. I understand he attended National Normal School immediately after the Civil War, like 1865 or so. In 1875-6 he went out West and help found the city of Vernonia Oregon (in the Coast Range between Portland and the ocean). There he was a teacher, Columbia County official and held other duties, including homesteading a farm.
      A couple bios were written of Judson which I could send to you, if you so desire.
      Attached are a couple pics of him. I have others."
    • Judson Weed Biographical Sketch from "History of the Columbia River Valley, From The Dalles to the Sea." Vol. 3. S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1928. p. 190.
    • Judson Weed Obituary from Oregon Pioneer Obituaries
    • 24 Jul 2012 email from William Weed:
      "I have attached two pages from THE HISTORY OF THE WEED AND ALLIED FAMILIES, by Dr. Charles Weed (1971). I see (had forgotten) by that scan that Judson Weed did attend "South Western Normal School" for two years in 1869 and 1870. It also mentions the author's research at the Warren County Historical Society, to which you referred.
      "I have also attached a picture of Judson about 1870. That would have been the same year he graduated from NNU (still Southwestern State Normal School when he attended). Perhaps this is his graduation picture."
WEIK
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WELCH
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WELFLING
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WELKER
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WEST
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WHEELER
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  • Agnes (Woodmas) Wheeler (1835-1907) Stafford, Monroe Co, Ohio, 1858
    • Photo: Robert L. Warner of Xenia, Ohio on 4 & 5 Sep 2011:
      "Agnes Woodmas  came from Scotland with her father Hugh Woodmas before 1838. The Woodmas family settled first in Somerton, Somersett Twp., Monroe County and in 1851 they moved to Franklin Twp., Monroe County. She married William Wheeler, November 18, 1855."
      "Agnes is on the far right of this photo of four generations of Wheelers taken about 1904.
      Front from left: Emma Etta (Winters) Wheeler, 1859-1939: Herbert Allen Wheeler 1856-1911; Mary, born 1902: William Wheeler 1832-1923, Agnes (Woodmas) Wheeler 1835-1907. Back standing: Herbert Allen’s first son, George Wheeler & wife Mary Edna (McConnell) and the child is their daughter Mary."
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  • Alanson Wheeler, Santa Barbara, Cal., 1875
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  • Chestina Wheeler, Smithfield, Ohio, 1877, 1878
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  • Harry Wheeler, Lima, Ohio, 1871, 1872
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  • J. A. Wheeler, Stafford, Monroe Co, Ohio, 1858
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  • John William Wheeler (1869-1949)
    • on 20 July 2004, his great granddaughter, Kathy Melton writes:
      " John William Wheeler we believe he attended and graduate from the school. I do not have the dates he attended but he went on the be the Postmaster in Campbell County Kentucky for 25 years. He was born May 20, 1869 and he died in 1949. He is my Great grandfather, if you have any information about him I would love to see it."
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  • Laura Wheeler, Ross, Ohio, 1885
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  • Julia Lillian (Wheeler) McBride "Lillie", Montgomery, Ohio, 1885
    • from Sharon Meeker in Kentucky on 1 Jul 2008,
      "Julia Lillian Wheeler was born 12 September 1864 in Montgomery County, Ohio. Her parents were William Wilbur and Julia Wells (Brown) Wheeler of Butler and Darke County, Ohio.
      Lillie attended Lebanon Normal College, where she met her future husband Franklin E. McBride, son of Washington and Mary Ann (Swan) McBride of Richland County, Ohio. Franklin and Lillie married about 1886. Franklin attended Cleveland Medical College and graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Chicago. Lillian also had a medical education. About 1889 Frank and Lillian went to China as medical missionaries under the auspices of the Congregational Church.
      In July 1890 Franklin died in China of typhus fever. Lillie (who was just about due to deliver their third child), remained in China until the following spring. When she returned to Ohio, she was faced with the problem of supporting three young boys. Since she already had a medical background, she attended Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and graduated in 1894. She was licensed as a physician in 1896. She practiced medicine in Mansfield, Ohio for more than 40 years. She was an active member and officer of the regional Medical Society. Lillie died 12 November 1951 in Dayton, Ohio.
      Franklin and Lillian McBride had three sons who lived to adulthood: Alfred Rush McBride (1886-1951) of Dayton; Astley McBride 1887-1916 of Philadelphia; and Franklin E McBride (born in China 1890 – 1933) of Cleveland, Ohio"
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  • Martin Wheeler, Winifred, Ky., 1909, 1910
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  • Mina Wheeler, Marion, Ky, Crittenden, Ky, 1883, 1884, 1885
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  • Robert Wheeler, Kentucky, 1894, 1895
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  • T. W. Wheeler, Ohio, 1894-1895
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  • T. J. Wheeler, Butler, Ky, 1875
 
  • William Wheeler (1832-1923) Woodsfield, Monroe Co., Ohio 1857-1858, also Stafford, Monroe Co., Ohio, 1858
    • Photo: Robert L. Warner of Xenia, Ohio on 4 & 5 Sep 2011:
      "WilliamWheeler (b Dec 24, 1832), named after his grandfather, was an educator. He taught in Woodsfield, Ohio, 1856, was Superintendent of Martins Ferry Schools 1858, and taught in Summerfield, Noble County 1860-62. John was a Captain in the 92nd Volunteer Infantry and was wounded in the Civil War June 1983.
      He married Agnes Woodmas, November 18, 1855. She had come from Scotland with her father Hugh Woodmas before 1838. The Woodmas family settled first in Somerton, Somersett Twp., Monroe County and in 1851 they moved to Franklin Twp., Monroe County.
      William and Agnes Wheeler had five children across three states. William moved, first to Minnesota, then to Ottawa Kansas as superintendent of schools. He started the first normal school for teacher training in Kansas and was chairman of the Examining Board for teachers. He later returned to Long Prairie, Minnesota, where he lived with a daughter until he died in 1923.
      The first child of William and Agnes, Herbert Allen Wheeler, was born, Dec 9 1856 at Woodsfield, Ohio. Ella was born at Summerfield, Ohio, 1861; William Sherman, 1867, and Charles Harrison, 1869 both in Minnesota; and Mabel in Ottawa, Kansas, 1875. While the family lived in Kansas, Herbert Allen married Erma Etta Winter at Princeton, Kansas, July 1878."
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  • W. J. Wheeler, Shelby, Ohio, 1876, 1877, 1878
WHITACRE
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  • Harvey C. Whitacre, B.S. 1899
    • from page 110 of "The Centennial Atlas of Warren County,
      "He received his early schooling at the Butlerville schools, and after graduating under the Boxwell law, in 1895, he attended the Blanchester high school, from which he graduated in the class of 1899. He afterwards attended the National Normal University from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Science, in 1901. Before he had completed his last year in the Scientific course of this institution, he was elected principal of his home school at Butlerville. He is now teaching in the Lebanon public schools."
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  • Martin V. Whitacre (c1856-1933)
    • "M. V. Whitare Dies Last Week at Norwood", unnamed paper dated 23 Nov 1933
      "Mr. Whitacre attended school at Lebanon and graduated form the National Normal University in 1877.  He taught school in Warren and Clinton counties for ten years and moved to Norwood in 1903..."
    • "Arrange Rites for Norwood Scientist,", obituary, Cincinnati (Ohio) Times Star, November 16, 1933, page 3-2
      " . . .He was graduated from the National Normal University, Lebanon, Ohio in 1877. . . ."
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  • Melvin H. Whitacre (1887-1933)
    • "Norwood Moving Van Owner Died of Heart Attack," obituary, unnamed Cincinnati Ohio newspaper, October 17, 1933
      " . . . Born in Blanchester, Ohio, Mr Whitcare recieved his education in the public schools there and later attended The National Normal University, Lebannon, Ohio, before coming to Norwood 30 years ago. . . ."
WHITE
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  • Seraphna (White) Monfort Bunnell (1834-1919)
    • Mrs. S. W. Bunnell, unnamed newspaper dated Thursday, November 6, 1919
      "Mrs. Bunnell was receiving her college course at the National University at Lebanon, Ohio, during the years 1863-1865. Her keen observations and accurate remembrance rendered her an interesting and valuable historian of the events of that awful period of our history."
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  • Theodore Martin White (1866-1965)
    • 16 Apr 2014 email from William O. Walker, Jr.
      "My maternal grandfather, Theodore Martin White (1866-1965) attended National Normal University from September, 1887, until March, 1888. He became a school teacher, moved to West Texas in 1898 ("for his health"), and lived to the ripe old age of 99. In 1951, he wrote his memoirs entitled "The Life of A Very Common Man," in which he devoted an entire chapter to his days at National Normal University, describing in some detail the curriculum, social life, etc. The experience profoundly influenced him, and he spoke of "President Holbrook" as "one of the greatest, if not the very greatest personalities I have ever known." On the chance that it might be of some interest, I am attaching a copy of the chapter."
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  • Thomas Gibbs White (1852-1909)
    • 1909 Obituary says, "A part of his education was gained in the country school and the remainder in the Normal school in Lebanon."
WHITESIDE
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WHITMORE
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WILEY
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WILL
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WILLHOUSE
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  • F. W. Willhouse, Troy, Miami Co., Ohio
    • "F. W. Willhouse, Troy, Miami Co., Ohio" written on back of photo contributed 20 March 2004 from the Photo Album obtained by Lisa & Don Howell at the Elizabeth (Fisher) Adams Estate Sale
    • Warren County Historical Society has two cards in their file.
      One lists a W. F. Willhouse, Shelby, Ohio, 1881; 1894-95
      The other lists a T. W. Willhouse, Ohio, 1894-1895
WILLIAMS
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  • C. L. Williams.
    • Received his education in the district schools; at the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio; in summer normal schools.
      See Biographical Sketch from p. 39 of the Book of Perry County.
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  • Mary Margaret (Smith) Williams (1859-1935)
    • From her 1935 obituary in Adair County (KY) News, Wednesday, August 28, 1935,
      "He education was acquired at the Waynesville High School, Warren County, Ohio; at the Teachers' Training School of Holbrook's Normal University and Butler College, near Indianapolis. After finishing her education she taught for a number of years."
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WILLIS
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WILSON
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  • Cora (Wilson) Stewart
    • was educated at Morehead Normal School, National Normal University in Lebanon, Ohio, and the University of Kentucky. See Biographical Sketch at the Kentucky Virtual Library.
 
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WINANS
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WINEGAR
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WINFIELD
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WINKLER
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WITHERS
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WOLCOTT
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WOLFE
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WOMACK
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WOOD
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  • Benjamin Clark Wood (1868-1929)
    • Taylor/Knauf Family Tree on ancestry.com contains the following information about him.
      He was born 22 Nov 1868 in Upton, Massachusetts and died 16 June 1929 in Cato, Cayuga County, New York. He was married to Daisy Bertha Schoenberg in 1906. They had 8 children.
      The 1910 census indicates that he was an attorney.
    • Find A Grave Memorial# 21727354 by Barbara LeClaire
      Benjamin C. Wood (1869-1929) buried Union Hill Cemetery, Cato, Cayuga County, New York
    • Benjamin Clark Wood (1868-1929) Photo Collection contributed by Debbie Cervino on 22 Aug 2014. Debbie is his great granddaughter, descending from his daughter, Halina Daisy Wood (1907-1971).
    • Warren County Historical Society Typed N.N.U. Student Card file accessed 27 Sep 2014.
      Wood, B. C.               B.A. '91
      Bangor, Maine
      Student in Theological Seminary
      [handwritten on the card is Benjamin & Mass.]
WOOLMAN
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WORKMAN
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WORLEY
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  • Dellos M. Worley (22 Feb 1891 - 21 Jan 1966)
    • Jack Worley writes on 7 Feb 2008
      "Dellos Worley attended Lebanon Normal University around 1910. I know that he taught school in South Lebanon and then became principal in Milford before opening an Allis Chalmers Tractor business which he ran until his death."
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  • Eleanor Belle (Worley) Long (1858-1921)
    • from obituary in unnamed paper dated 10 Feb 1921,
      "She received her early education in the district schools and later attended the National Normal University at Lebanon, where she led her classes in mathematics, being exceptionally proficient in that branch.  For two years she engaged in teaching.  In January 1887 she was married to Henry Long and moved to Nebraska."
WRIGHT
Surname Index
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  • David Sands Wright.
    • He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, in 1871 and a Master of Arts degree in 1873
      Biography and photo at University of Northern Iowa Web site
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  • Joseph Monroe Wright graduated in 1872.
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  • Lot Wright (1839-1900)
    • A Roster of the Alumni and Alumnae of the National Normal University (Lebanon, Ohio: Alumnal Association, 1893), page 107
      Wright, Lot; B.A. '68
      Lebanon, O.; Attorney-at-Law
    • Thirty-Second Annual Commencement, College of Science, Fall Class, 1887
    • from page 792 of Beers 1882 History of Warren County:
      "In 1860, he came to Lebanon and entered the Southwestern Normal School, which he attended, teaching at intervals in the district schools of Southwestern Ohio, until the summer of 1862." and
      "Capt. Wright was united in marriage with Louisa Jury, a native of Ohio, whom he met while attending the normal school. Both the Captain and wife are graduates of this school"
    • "Turtlecreek Twp. Participants In The Civil War 1861-1865" article by Dallas Bogan say both Lot Wright and his wife (Louisa Jury) graduated from the Normal School in Lebanon.
    • From obituary in the 1 Mar 1900 Franklin Chronicle,
      " He was educated in the public schools at Alliance, O., and in the institution which is now known as the National Normal University at Lebanon, O., and taught school for some time" and
      "In September, 1865, Captain Wright returned to his studies in the Normal School at Lebanon, O., and has made his home in Lebanon ever since.
      "Captain Lot Wright was married July 17, 1867, to Miss Louisa Jury, a most excellent and highly educated lady, whose acquaintance he had made while borth were students at the Normal, from which they both were graduated."
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  • Thomas Melville Wright graduated in 1871.
WRIGHTSMAN
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Page created 19 January 2009 and last updated 11 October, 2016
© 2009 Arne H Trelvik  All rights reserved