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186
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FROM THE FLYING PIONEERS BIOGRAPHIES OF HAROLD E. MOREHOUSE
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Charles B. Kirkham 
Pioneer Engine and Plane Builder - Aviator
[image - Charles B. Kirkham]
     Charles B. Kirkham was born in Thurston, New York[blue mark] on November 2, 1881,[blue mark] the son of a farmer and carpenter.  During his youth the family moved to Taggart's, a small road junction mid-way between Bath and[[cross-out]] Hammondsport, New York, where his father purchased a woodworking shop and planing mill and entered into business.  Young Charles attended local country schools and learned to work in his father's shop.  In due course a machine shop and small foundry facilities were added for the making of castings. 
     At age 18 Charles decided to get some experience away from home so he[blue mark] went to Rochester, New York, where he obtained a job in a machine shop.  There he contracted diphtheria[circled] and lay sick in a boarding house for two weeks.  Returning home he had a setback and was in bed for five months recovering.  His father decided he needed something to do so he bought him an Engineering Course from the International Correspondence Schools, which Charles completed within a year.  
     Following his recovery, Kirkham began working for his father again and [[cross-out]] took up cycling as a sport.  This let to his riding in competitive[circled] events in the arena, where [[cross-out]] he met Glenn Curtiss and they became close friends.  Curtiss was making bicycles and operating a cycle shop in Hammondsport.  
     In early 1901 Curti ss decided to try to install an engine on[[blue mark]] one of his
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