Viewing page 4 of 9

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

FROM THE
FLYING PIONEERS BIOGRAPHIES
OF HAROLD E. MOREHOUSE

OLIVER B. SHERWOOD
Pioneer New York Aviator

[Photo of Sherwood]

   Information is lacking concerning the date and place of birth, eduction and early occupation of Oliver B. Sherwood. Reportedly he was a young Brooklyn business man who developed an interest in the first aviation developments in the New York area and decided he wanted to learn to fly.
   Sherwood was practicing [[strikethrough]] learning to fly [[/strikethrough]]  during the late summer of 1911 on various airplanes [[strikethrough]] machines [[/strikethrough]] at Nassau Boulevard Flying Field, evidently teaching himself, with the help of friends. In mid-October he had a smashup wile flying Dr Northwood's Farman-copy, but was not injured.
   On November 25th he made his first major flight, some 30 miles cross-country on a Kirkham-powered Church biplane owned by A.W. Ridgley. On this flight Sherwood passed over Hempstead, Garden City, Mineola and Hyde Park. It was an outstanding flight for a novice and those watching were fearful that he would come to grief, but he made a fine landing and was overjoyed. He continued flying this plane into December and by mid-month was carrying passengers. For the remainder of December he flew almost every day.
   His flying continued and in late January, 1912  he flight tested a new Maxi-motor-powered modified Curtiss-type biplane built at the Moneola Flying Field for John Gammeter of Akron, Ohio. March 4th to 9th Sherwood flew at an aviation meet
                                                   1