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 1902 -
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| Name |
HERSBERGER, Milton |
| Born |
1902 |
| Gender |
Male |
| Person ID |
I2081 |
Connecticut Spangs |
| Last Modified |
23 Jun 2015 |
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| Notes |
- Milton Hersberger Obituary from Toledo Blade Aug. 19, 1987, p. 14, column 1
Founder of Port Clinton Island Air Service in 1930
Milton Hersberger, 85, of Port Clinton, O., a former test pilot and airport manager who founded the Island Airlines, belived to be the shortest in the United States, died yesterday in Magruder Hospital after a long illness.
A native of Anderson, Ind., and a resident of Port Clinton many years, Mr. Hersberger became a pilot during the early 1920?s. He was a test pilot and manager of airports in Chicago, Youngstown, and Sandusky, O. before moving to Port Clinton in 1930 and founding the Island Airlines. The airline flew shuttle flights from its base in Port Clinton to an airport Mr. Hersberger owned on South Bass Island and to fields he leased on Middle Bass, North Bass, and Kelleys islands.
Started with 2 Planes
In addition to passenger service, the airlines carried mail and miscellaneous freight, and made emergency flights. At one time known as Air Tours, Inc., the airlines initially had two planes. In 1935, Mr. Hersberger acquired two Ford Tri-motor planes, a craft known as the Tin Goose. He frequently claimed ownership of seven of the Ford Trimotor planes of which only 198 were built between 1928 and 1933. He retired in 1953, when he sold the airlines and three of his last four trimotor planes.
Former Caf? Owner
In addition, Mr. Hersberger was the former owner of Urb?s Caf?, Port Clinton, and was a real estate salesman. He owned several office buildings, including the Hersberger Building in downtown Port Clinton.
Surviving are his wife, Marguerite; stepson, Arthur Van Rensselaer; stepdaughter, Mrs. Sue Ann Coyle, and five stepgrandsons.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday in the Neidecker-LeVeck-Crosser Mortuary, Port Clinton where the body will be after 2 p.m. tomorrow. The family requests that any contributions be to the charity of the donor?s choice.
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