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FROM THE FLYING PIONEERS BIOGRAPHIES OF HAROLD E. MOKEHOUSE

8 ALVIN K. LONGREN

27 Pioneer Kansas Aviator - Plane Builder - Manufacturer

Alvin K. Longren was born at Manhattan, Kansas January 18, 1882.  He attended local schools and while taking an I.C.S. [[strikethrough]]C[[/strikethrough]]course he also learned the machinist trade.  During 1907-1909 Longren and his brother engaged in an automobile business.

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He developed an early interest in aviation and began experimenting in 1910.  While working as a machinist in the [[strikethrough]]R[[/strikethrough]]railroad [[strikethrough]]S[[/strikethrough]]shops at Topeka, Kansas, he completed his first plane during the mid-summer of 1911.  Reportedly this [[strikethrough]]first[[/strikethrough]] plane was a Curtiss-type pusher biplane powered by an 8-cylinder, 60 [[strikethrough]]H.P.[[/strikethrough]] hp. Hall-Scott engine.  He began teaching himself to fly on Al Schmidt's farm east of the city and made his first solo hop on September 2[[strikethrough]]d[[/strikethrough]], 1911.  On September 13th he flew ten miles across the city and landed on the campus of [[strikethrough]]the[[/strikethrough]] Washburn University, to claim the distinction of building the first successful [[strikethrough]]aeroplane[[/strikethrough]] airplane in Kansas. Continuing his practice he flew a few exhibitions at nearby localities late that fall.

In December, 1911, he assisted in the forming of the Young Aviation Company in Topeka with exhibition flight promotor H. Young.  The group consisted of H. Young, President, J. B. Lorimer, Manager, A. K. Longren, Chief Pilot and E. J. Longren, Mechanic.

In January, 1912, Longren began filling exhibition engagements in Texas and

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