1874-1961 |
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Playing his banjo in St. Albans, VT - prob. 1895 |
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via email from Beryl (Signor) Nulph, 3-30-05 I am writing as part of my genealogy research that I cannot find. 1. My father was a pioneer in aviation, and was a barnstormer. His name was: Harry A. Signor (H.A. Signor) 2. I'm trying to find which school he graduated from, and his pilots number. |
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This photo is from the letterhead which is available on the University of Milwaukee Library website. |
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3. There is a story to this. He had a partner, George Underwood, that they owned the Bi-plane, a "Sparling" I believe. 4. They were scheduled to participate in an air show in Callao, MO (near St. Louis) in September 1912. Don't know how many shows, or what "circuit" they were connected to. 5. One day they were to fly, it was very windy, and my father decided not to take the plane up, however, George decided he would and go alone. He did, he crashed, was killed, and my Dad was left with the job of accompaning his body back to his parents. 6. The Curtiss air Museum had the information of George's graduation, pilots number, said he crashed in September 1912, listing my dad, H.A. Signor as "Manager." 7. They had no other info, nor the newpaper article, hence I am writing everywhere I can think of to see what and where I should research next. 8. Did he graduate from Your school? I Thank you for any info you may help me with. Sincerely, Beryl (Signor) Nulph |
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via email from Beryl (Signor) Nulph, 4-6-05 I have been working on Dad's info, and have some for you, but are waiting for a lady my sister got in touch with that has some papers, and pictures on George's career, so we're hoping some might be with Harry. It should be about 2 weeks. Anyway, this is what I have so far: Harry A. Signor: Born in Jerseyville, Illinois, Oct. 28, 1874 Died in Greenfield, Massachusetts, Jan. 28, 1961 George E. Underwood: No birth date as yet Died in airplane crash, Sept. 1912 at an exhibition in Callao, Mo., flying the Sparling Bi-plane Graduated from the Curtiss School in San Diego, CA, Feb. 1912, receiving lic. # 104 Will still continue my searching, and be in touch. Harry was also in Vaudeville, and I have a picture of him in his top hat and tails, but am waiting for George's pictures to come to see if there are any of him in his flying attire. Sincerely, Beryl (Signor) Nulph |
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via email from John Underwood, 9-4-09 I just turned up some information on Harry A. Signor, Beryl Nulph's father. It seems that he started flying in the summer of 1911 at the Sparling School at Washington Park, Mo. The Aug. 1911 issue of "Aeronautics", page 69, mentioned that he was flying good straightaway hops on his third day of instruction and had the makings of a fine, cool-headed flyer. If a copy of the Sept. 1911 issue can be found, it might shed further light on the matter. That's the only issue I'm missing. Thus, it seems that Signor was the senior aviator in the partnership with George Underwood, perhaps for a full year. However, he does not seem to have held an FAI certificate and I can find no further references to his flying. John Underwood |
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His ashes were scattered in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts Personal Communication from Beryl (Signor) Nulph, 9-18-07 If you have any more information on this pioneer aviator please contact me. E-mail to Ralph Cooper |
HARRY SIGNOR (1874-1961) Courtesy of Find A Grave |
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