Gustave Whitehead was a Bavarian immigrant who settled in Connecticut. He claimed that he made several powered flights in 1901 and 1902, but there is little documentation. After that, he had money problems, but did make engines for several early airplanes. This story is from the 19-November-1901 New York Evening World.
30 HP from calcium carbide engine and 25 lb plane. Bull squeeze. Never freaking happened. Couldn’t do it today either. A freaking parasail weighs more than that.