Marshall E. Cornett

Marshall E. Cornett
Member of the Oregon Senate from the 17th district
In office 1941–1947
Preceded by	Ulysses S. Balentine
Succeeded by	Philip S. Hitchcock
Constituency	Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson, Klamath and Lake counties, Oregon
President of the Oregon State Senate
In office 1947–1947
Preceded by	Howard C. Belton
Succeeded by	William E. Walsh
Personal details
Born	November 22, 1898(1898-11-22) Burning Springs, Kentucky
Died	October 28, 1947(1947-10-28) (aged 48) Lake County, Oregon
Political party	Republican
Occupation	Automobile dealer

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.

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 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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

References

1. ^ "Oregon State Assembly - 1947 Regular Session (44th): January 13-April 5". Oregon Secretary of State. http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/legislative/histleg/statehood/1947reg.htm#Senate. Retrieved July 13, 2011. 
2. ^ Smith, John B. "Governor Snell's Plane Crash". U.S. Forest Service. http://www.oldsmokeys.org/History/GOVERNOR%20SNELL.htm. Retrieved July 13, 2011. 
3. ^ "Governors of Oregon: Earl Wilcox Snell". Oregon State Library. http://www.osl.state.or.us/home/lib/governors/ews.htm. Retrieved July 13, 2011. 

Persondata
Name	Cornett, Marshall E.
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	November 22, 1898
Place of birth	Burning Springs, Kentucky
Date of death	October 28, 1947
Place of death	Lake County, Oregon