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JESSE C. BRABAZON

Early Wisconsin Wright Pilot

Jesse C. Brabazon was born at Delavan, Wisconsin, October 18, 1885. Information is lacking concerning his early life and education, but reportedly, he was engaged in agricultural and automobile enterprises before he decided to learn to fly.

After becoming interested in aviation he entered the Lillie Flying School at Cicero Field, Chicago, Illinois, in the fall of 1912, where he was taught to fly the Lillie School Wright Model B biplane by instructor DeLloyd Thompson. Brabazon started instruction in early October and made his first solo flight on October 24th. He continued to practice there and in late November the school moved to Kinloch Field, [[strikethrough]] L [[/strikethrough]] St. Louis, Missouri, on the way to Texas for the winter months. At Kinloch Brabazon continued his practice and took some advanced training from Andrew Drew. There, reportedly, Brabazon was ready for his license tests in early December, just before the school moved to Texas.

In January, 19 [[strikethrough]] k [[/strikethrough]] 13 it was announced that Brabazon had formed a partnership with Frank Shaffer of Lima, Ohio, to start an aviation venture there that spring. Shaffer had reportedly been a former employee of the Wright Company at Dayton, Ohio, and had been assigned as one of the mechanics for Cal Rodgers on the first transcontinental flight September 17 - December 10, 1911. After Rodgers' death on April 3, 1912, Shaffer acquired his Wright Model B plane from Mrs. Rodgers and planned to use it at Lima to start a school, do exhibition work and carry passengers. 

The Shaffer-Brabazon Company established a flying field north of the city and built a hangar for their plane. They officially opened this field on April 30, 1913, and well-known Wright pilot Andrew Drew was there to help them get organized. Drew started flying over the city to stimulate local interest, and on May 4th put on an exhibition at their flying to attract the public