Background
SNELL, Earl Wilcox was born on July 11, 1895 in Candon, Oregon, United States. Son of William Henry and Mattie (Balding) Snell.
SNELL, Earl Wilcox was born on July 11, 1895 in Candon, Oregon, United States. Son of William Henry and Mattie (Balding) Snell.
Oregon Institute, of Technology, Portland, Oregon.
American journalist John Gunther described Snell as "genial, mediocre, and perpetually on the fence."
He moved to Arlington, where he and a partner opened the successful automobile dealership which would be his principal livelihood for the rest of his life. He later expanded his business interests to include ranching and banking. After serving on the Arlington City Council, in 1926 he was elected to the first of four consecutive terms in the Oregon House of Representatives, his final term as Speaker.
In 1934, despite inroads by Democrats in Oregon in previously Republican Oregon, Snell was elected Oregon Secretary of State, serving from 1935 to 1943.
He received strong support from the state automobile dealers association, gained the nomination, and went on to be elected Governor with 78 percent of the vote, taking office on January 11, 1943. Generally recognized as a moderate, Snell"s administration was marked by conservationist measures, public works projects and relief programs in line with the federal New Deal programs, and initiatives designed to promote agricultural, timber and industrial interests to expand Oregon"s economy.
He was re-elected in 1946, by a margin of more than two to one, but died in office the next year. On October 28, 1947, Snell, Oregon Secretary of State Robert South. Farrell, Junior., and State Senate President Marshall East. Cornett were killed along with pilot Cliff Hogue when their small plane crashed in stormy weather southwest of Dog Lake in Lake County, Oregon.
The group left Klamath Falls about 10:00 p.m. en route to a ranch owned by Oregon writer William Kittredge in Warner Valley near Lakeview, Oregon.
A state funeral was held for Snell, Farrell and Cornett at the Capitol in Salem. Snell was buried in Salem"s Belcrest Memorial Park.
Prevented by a term limit from seeking another term as Secretary of State, Snell decided to challenge his own party"s incumbent Government. Charles A. Sprague in the Republican primary.
Member: Elks; Masons. Knight Templar; Shriners. American Legion. Clubs: Lions, Arlington Rod and Gun.
Spouse Edith Welshons, July 12.