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HARRY P. CHRISTOFFERSON 
Karly Aeroplane Mechanic - Pilot - Instructor

FROM THE FLYING PIONEERS BIOGRAPHIES OF HAROLD E. MOREHOUSE

Harry P. Christofferson was born on a farm near Spencer, Iowa, March 31, 1884, one of seven brothers. Later, the family moved west where Harry attended public schools at Salem, Oregon. Mechanically inclined, he then engaged in auto chauffeuring in San Franscisco. In March, 1910 he saw Curtiss pilot, Charles K Hamilton, fly at Portland, Oregon which fired his interest in aviation. As a result, Harry and his younger brother, Silas, built an aeroplane with an engine for it that summer at Portland. It made one flight and crashed, but it was the beginning of a most noteworthy career in aviation for both gallant brothers. 

Following this, Harry decided to really get into the flying game, and later became associated with Early Bird Charles Walsh, of San Diego, as a mechanic. Walsh had built several aeroplanes, and had taught himself to fly. Harry joined him on the road to fly exhibitions, their first exhibition being at Portland, Oregin on May 3rd, 1911. Following this, they exhibited at several western cities and then entered the famed Chicago International Meet August 12-20, 1911. While there, Walsh joined the Curtiss Exhibition team, and Harry continued on as his mechanic in the new arrangement by permission of Glen H. Curtiss.