Marshall E. Cornett
Encyclopedia
Marshall Eugene Cornett (November 22, 1898 - October 28, 1947) was an Oregon businessman and American
Republican
politician
serving in the Oregon State Senate
and as Senate President during the 1947 legislative session. Along with Governor of Oregon
Earl Snell
and Oregon Secretary of State
Robert S. Farrell, Jr.
, he was killed in a plane crash in 1947.
(Clay County
), in rural southeastern Kentucky
. He served in the United States Army
during World War I
before moving to Klamath Falls, Oregon
where he established himself as a businessman. He was the owner of a successful automobile dealerships and three radio stations in the Klamath Falls area. In June 1922, Cornett married Olive Byram (Dec. 20, 1891 - Dec. 17, 1977) in Kake, Alaska
.
from 1941, to 1947 representing the 17th legislative district. In his final term, he served as Senate President. He was an alternate delegate to the 1944 Republican National Convention
.
On October 28, 1947, Cornett and two other top office-holders, Oregon Governor Earl Snell
and Oregon Secretary of State
Robert S. Farrell, Jr.
, were killed in a plane crash while en route to the Kittredge Ranch
in Warner Valley
near Lakeview, Oregon
. "The Kittredge's were hosting a goose hunt for these Oregon officials. The airplane left Klamath Falls
about 10:00 P.M. (or later) and did not arrive at the Kittredge Ranch." Pilot Cliff Hogue perished as well, when his small plane crashed in stormy weather southwest of Dog Lake. A state funeral
was held for Snell, Farrell and Cornett at the Capitol in Salem
.
Marshall Cornett's remains were interned at Macedonia Cemetery, Burning Springs, Kentucky
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
serving in the Oregon State Senate
Oregon State Senate
The Oregon State Senate is the upper house of the state-wide legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. Along with the lower chamber Oregon House of Representatives it makes up the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 30 members of the State Senate, representing 30 districts across the state,...
and as Senate President during the 1947 legislative session. Along with Governor of Oregon
Governor of Oregon
The Governor of Oregon is the top executive of the government of the U.S. state of Oregon. The title of governor was also applied to the office of Oregon's chief executive during the provisional and U.S. territorial governments....
Earl Snell
Earl Snell
Earl Willcox Snell was an Oregon businessman American Republican politician, serving in the Oregon House of Representatives, as the Oregon Secretary of State, and as the 23rd Governor of Oregon....
and Oregon Secretary of State
Oregon Secretary of State
The Secretary of State of Oregon, an elected constitutional officer within the executive branch of government of the U.S. state of Oregon, is first in line of succession to the Governor. The duties of office are: auditor of public accounts, chief elections officer, and administrator of public...
Robert S. Farrell, Jr.
Robert S. Farrell, Jr.
Robert S. Farrell, Jr. was an American Republican politician in the state of Oregon.-Political career:He lived in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon and served as a Delegate to the Republican National Convention from Oregon in both 1940 and 1944. Farrell was elected as the Speaker of the Oregon...
, he was killed in a plane crash in 1947.
Early life and business career
Cornett was born in Burning Springs, KentuckyBurning Springs, Kentucky
Burning Springs is an unincorporated community in Clay County, Kentucky, United States. It is mostly centered around U.S. Route 421. It has one school, Burning Springs Elementary. It is about 4 miles from Jackson County but about 15 miles from Manchester, the county seat...
(Clay County
Clay County
Clay County is the name of 18 counties in the United States. Most are named for Henry Clay, U.S. Senator and statesman:* Clay County, Alabama* Clay County, Arkansas * Clay County, Florida...
), in rural southeastern Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. He served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
before moving to Klamath Falls, Oregon
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Klamath Falls is a city in Klamath County, Oregon, United States. Originally called Linkville when George Nurse founded the town in 1867, after the Link River on whose falls this city sat, although no falls currently exist; the name was changed to Klamath Falls in 1892...
where he established himself as a businessman. He was the owner of a successful automobile dealerships and three radio stations in the Klamath Falls area. In June 1922, Cornett married Olive Byram (Dec. 20, 1891 - Dec. 17, 1977) in Kake, Alaska
Kake, Alaska
Kake is a town in Petersburg Census Area, Alaska, United States. The population was 710 at the 2000 census. The name comes from the Tlingit word or , which is derived from “dawn, daylight” and “mouth”, i.e. “mouth of dawn” or “opening of daylight”.-Geography:Kake is located at...
.
Political career
Cornett served in the Oregon State SenateOregon State Senate
The Oregon State Senate is the upper house of the state-wide legislature for the U.S. state of Oregon. Along with the lower chamber Oregon House of Representatives it makes up the Oregon Legislative Assembly. There are 30 members of the State Senate, representing 30 districts across the state,...
from 1941, to 1947 representing the 17th legislative district. In his final term, he served as Senate President. He was an alternate delegate to the 1944 Republican National Convention
Republican National Convention
The Republican National Convention is the presidential nominating convention of the Republican Party of the United States. Convened by the Republican National Committee, the stated purpose of the convocation is to nominate an official candidate in an upcoming U.S...
.
On October 28, 1947, Cornett and two other top office-holders, Oregon Governor Earl Snell
Earl Snell
Earl Willcox Snell was an Oregon businessman American Republican politician, serving in the Oregon House of Representatives, as the Oregon Secretary of State, and as the 23rd Governor of Oregon....
and Oregon Secretary of State
Oregon Secretary of State
The Secretary of State of Oregon, an elected constitutional officer within the executive branch of government of the U.S. state of Oregon, is first in line of succession to the Governor. The duties of office are: auditor of public accounts, chief elections officer, and administrator of public...
Robert S. Farrell, Jr.
Robert S. Farrell, Jr.
Robert S. Farrell, Jr. was an American Republican politician in the state of Oregon.-Political career:He lived in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon and served as a Delegate to the Republican National Convention from Oregon in both 1940 and 1944. Farrell was elected as the Speaker of the Oregon...
, were killed in a plane crash while en route to the Kittredge Ranch
William Kittredge
William Kittredge is an American writer from Oregon, United States. He was born in Portland, Oregon, and grew up on a ranch in Southeastern Oregon's Warner Valley in Lake County where he attended school in Adel, Oregon, and later would attend high school in California and Oregon...
in Warner Valley
Warner Valley
The Warner Valley is located in south-central Oregon, United States. It is a remote valley at the northwestern corner of North America’s Basin and Range Province. The valley is home to a chain of lakes and wetlands, known as Warner Lakes. The Warner Valley was used by Native Americans for...
near Lakeview, Oregon
Lakeview, Oregon
Lakeview is a city in Lake County, Oregon, United States. The population was 2,294 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Lake County. Although it is an incorporated city, the municipal government refers to the community as "The Town of Lakeview", and bills itself as "Tallest Town in Oregon"...
. "The Kittredge's were hosting a goose hunt for these Oregon officials. The airplane left Klamath Falls
Klamath Falls, Oregon
Klamath Falls is a city in Klamath County, Oregon, United States. Originally called Linkville when George Nurse founded the town in 1867, after the Link River on whose falls this city sat, although no falls currently exist; the name was changed to Klamath Falls in 1892...
about 10:00 P.M. (or later) and did not arrive at the Kittredge Ranch." Pilot Cliff Hogue perished as well, when his small plane crashed in stormy weather southwest of Dog Lake. A state funeral
State funeral
A state funeral is a public funeral ceremony, observing the strict rules of protocol, held to honor heads of state or other important people of national significance. State funerals usually include much pomp and ceremony as well as religious overtones and distinctive elements of military tradition...
was held for Snell, Farrell and Cornett at the Capitol in Salem
Salem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
.
Marshall Cornett's remains were interned at Macedonia Cemetery, Burning Springs, Kentucky
Burning Springs, Kentucky
Burning Springs is an unincorporated community in Clay County, Kentucky, United States. It is mostly centered around U.S. Route 421. It has one school, Burning Springs Elementary. It is about 4 miles from Jackson County but about 15 miles from Manchester, the county seat...
.