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FROM THE 
FLYING PIONEERS BIOGRAPHIES 
OF HAROLD E. MOREHOUSE

BERYL J. WILLIAMS
Early West Coast [[?]] Lane Builder - Aviator

[[image]]

Beryl J. Williams was born at Keswick, Iowa, April 8, 1892. Information is lacking concerning his early life and education, but he evidently became a skilled mechanic and developed an early interest in aviation.
After migrating to Los Angeles, California he was employed by the Eaton Brothers in 1909, where he helped build their very first planes. From savings and by working nights he built his first plane over the winter months of 1910-1911. It was a Curtiss-type biplane powered by a Smalley 3-cylinder, 2-cycle engine. He left Eaton Brothers in late 1910 and was employed by Glenn Martin.
Williams completed his plane in March, 1911 and took it to Dominguez Flying Field for tests. There he started the usual ground practice, trying to teach himself to fly, and soon succeeded in making some brief hops, bu the plane was so under-powered he could do no real flying. Later that month he had a smashup and was bruised somewhat. 
While Williams was repairing the plane Martin [[strikethrough]] loaned Williams [[/strikethrough]] lent him a 60 [[strikethrough]] HP [[/strikethrough]] hP., Hall-Scott engine and with this revised [[strikethrough]] machine [[/strikethrough]] airplane and more power Williams was soon making creditable flights. On April 23d he surprised everyone by making a lengthy flight well away from the field. In May he had a humiliating experience. While skimming low over the ground outside Dominguez Field a cow suddenly appeared directly in front

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Transcription Notes:
[[image: photo young man]]