Marshall E. Cornett

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.

Marshall E. Cornett
Member of the Oregon Senate
from the 17th district
In office
1941–1947
Preceded byUlysses S. Balentine
Succeeded byPhilip S. Hitchcock
ConstituencyCrook, Deschutes, Jefferson, Klamath and Lake counties, Oregon
President of the Oregon State Senate
In office
1947–1947
Preceded byHoward C. Belton
Succeeded byWilliam E. Walsh
Personal details
Born(1898-11-22)November 22, 1898
Burning Springs, Kentucky
DiedOctober 28, 1947(1947-10-28) (aged 48)
Lake County, Oregon
Political partyRepublican
OccupationAutomobile dealer

Early life and business career

Cornett was born in Burning Springs, Kentucky (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 successful automobile dealerships and three radio stations in the Klamath Falls area. In June 1922, Cornett married Olive Byram (1891–1977) in Kake, Alaska.

Political career

Cornett served in the Oregon State Senate from 1941, to 1947 representing the 17th legislative district. In his final term, he served as Senate President.[1] 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."[2]

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.[3]

Marshall Cornett's remains were interned at Macedonia Cemetery, Burning Springs, Kentucky.

See also

Footnotes
  1. "Oregon State Assembly - 1947 Regular Session (44th): January 13-April 5". Oregon Secretary of State. Retrieved July 13, 2011.
  2. John B. Smith, "Governor Snell's Plane Crash," Archived 2016-04-02 at the Wayback Machine U.S. Forest Service, August 2002.
  3. "Governors of Oregon: Earl Wilcox Snell". Oregon State Library. Archived from the original on September 23, 2006. Retrieved July 13, 2011.
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