Viewing page 18 of 42

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

ARCH HOXSEY
Early Wright Exhibition Pilot

   Arch Hoxsey was born at Staunton, Illinois, October 27, 1884, of well-to-do land holders. His father died when he was seven years old and two years later he and his mother moved to California, first living at Glendora for three years, then moving to Pasadena. He attended Garfield School there and as a boy enjoyed doing odd jobs in his neighborhood, [[strikethrough]] and became [[/strikethrough]] well-known and liked by [[strikethrough]] a large number of people. [[/strikethrough]] many persons.

   Mechanically inclined, he loved automobiles and followed motor car work for some time, becoming not only an expert with engines, but also a professional driver. This led him to become a chauffeur, first for financier M.D. Martin, then for John W. Gates. While emplyed by Gates, they toured Europe. Gates owned [[strikethrough]] a stable [[/strikethrough]] several of race cars and reportedly Hoxsey also dod some [[strikethrough]] race driving [[/strikethrough]] auto racing for him. [[strikethrough]] Following this [[/strikethrough]] He next became associated with the early Tourist Automobile Company of Los Angeles and there he met Walter Brookins, who later became one of his flying pals.

   Hoxsey was interested in [[strikethrough]] in the first polished [[/strikethrough]] published accounts of aviation and saw his first flying at the Los Angeles aviation meet in January, 1910. [[strikethrough]] and [[/strikethrough]] There he resolved he wanted   to learn to fly. He took time off and made a trip to Dayton to see the Wrights, who tended to discourage him. A short time later, however, he received word that he had been accepted as a student. Since Brookins was a resident of Dayton, the fact that he knew Hoxsey may have influenced the Wrights' decision. The Wright [[strikethrough]] B [[/strikethrough]] brothers had decided to go into the exhibition business and hired the renowned dirigible and balloon man, Roy Knabenshue, to become their exhibition manager and take charge of the entire program. They needed a team of young new civilian aviators for this program and Hoxsey became one of the first students to be trained for exhibition work.