Viewing page 28 of 34

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Lionel H. DeRemer
Early Wright Exhibition Pilot - Instructor

[1 image on page]

Lionel H. DeRemer was born in Harrison, Michigan, February 21, 1889, the son of a professional musician. The family moved to Bay City when Lionel was about one year old. He attended schools there and during his youth developed natural musical talents, becoming an accomplished pianist, which was to be of continuing service and comfort to him throughout his lifetime.

During this period he joined his father and younger brother as a member of the DeRemer Orchestra. At age 17 he became a member of a SHOWBOAT troupe for a time, then became interested in wireless telegraphy and started working for the Clark Wireless Company in the Great Lakes area. After a short time with them DeRemer returned to Bay City where he and a former pal, George McBride, bought a small movie theatre and started in show business together, with DeRemer playing the musical accompaniment. 

The early developments of flying also began interesting him at this time and he studied everything obtainable on the subject. In late 1910, his interest in aviation reached a new high point when he read in AERO magazine of the wonderful exhibition flights of THE THREE MUSKETEERS. They were Brookins, Hoxsey and Johnstone, whose great flights made notable headlines in several