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[[stamped]] FROM THE FLYING PIONEERS BIOGRAPHIES OF HAROLD E. MOREHOUSE [[/stamped]]

WILLIAM H. CONOVER
Pioneer Wright Brothers Mechanic - Pilot

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William H. Conover was born in Dayton, Ohio, February 22d, 1886, where he attended local schools. In his youth he developed a great interest in mechanical things and loved engines and automobiles. He became quite an expert with them and gained a reputation of always knowing how to make them work. 

This talent led him to employment with the Wright Brothers in July, 1909, shortly after they returned from Wilbur's[[strikethrough]] their [[/strikethrough]]demonstration flights in Europe. Back home in Dayton the brothers had rented shop space in a factory [[strikethrough]] building [[/strikethrough]] where they were starting to build some planes and engines for their future program. The Wrights employed eight workmen [[strikethrough]] with [[/strikethrough]] including Conover, . He [[strikethrough]] Conover [[/strikethrough]] was assigned [[strikethrough]] put to [[/strikethrough]] work on engines, but it was not long before he was also working on airframes [[strikethrough]] planes [[/strikethrough]] . As this shop work continued, [[strikethrough]] both in helping to build planes and working and testing engines, during which time [[/strikethrough]] Conover gained a thorough knowledge of the complete machine, and the Wrights [[strikethrough]] began to develop great [[/strikethrough]] soon professed complete faith in his ability.

When their Simms Station flying field was established in the spring of 1910 Conover was transferred there [[strikethrough]] on some field maintenance and the [[/strikethrough]] to service [[strikethrough]]of [[/strikethrough]]school machines in addition to shop work. That year a small group of civilian students were taught by Orville Wright to become [[strikethrough]] serve as [[/strikethrough]] instructors and

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Transcription Notes:
Heavily edited copy.