Obituary: Maxwell H. CROWELL, d. 13 December 1935, Washburn Co., Wisconsin ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor, or the legal representative of the contributor, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Nance Sampson 09 February 1999 ==================================================================== CROWELL, Maxwell H. Flying Cadet Maxwell. H. Crowell, 22, a pilot in the 94th pursuit squadron of the army corps and son of Dr. and Mrs. I. G. Crowell of Shell Lake, Wisconsin, was killed in the crash of his pursuit plane near Selfridge Field, Michigan, last Friday afternoon, December 13, 1935 after the plane had clipped the roof of a Grand Trunk railroad caboose. Emerging from a fog bank in an effort to land, the fast plane made its customary "mushing" or drop in the descent and was unable to clear the caboose roof, which was obscured by the fog, when the plane began to rise again. In clipping the roof the rear controls at the rudder were torn from the machine, the plane sailed a distance of one-half mile before landing, making a nose dive into the ground which sent the plane somersaulting thru the air. The engine was thrown out of its moorings and Max was also flung out of the cockpit. An officer at the Field 4 miles away noticed the flames and immediately rushed to the scene. He found Max lying dead a short distance from the wreckage which had burst in flames. The plane landed on the Joseph Verraes farm, between the house and barn. The housewife at home heard the crash but did not witness the accident. Maxwell Homer Crowell was born at Shell Lake, Wisconsin, March 15, 1914. His childhood and youth were spent in Shell Lake where he attended the public schools. He was graduated from high school in May, 1930 at the age of 16. While attending the Shell Lake schools, he was interested in all school activities, taking part in athletics, music and school publications. In September of 1930, he enrolled in the freshman class at Northland College, Ashland, Wisconsin. During the next four years he pursued his studies at Northland, spending his summer with his parents at Shell Lake, and frequently acting in his capacity as Red Cross Life Saving Instructor and Examiner. He was graduated from Northland with the degree of Bachelor of Arts on June 17, 1934. While at Northland, Max majored in Mathematics. He was well liked and highly thought of by both professors and fellow-students. In the summer of 1934, following his graduation from Northland College, Max presented himself at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, to take a qualifying physical examination for enrollment in the United States Army Air Corps. He passed the examination successfully and was placed on the preferential list. In September he received his appointment, and after first reporting at Fort Sheridan, he proceeded to Randolph Field, Texas, to become a cadet in the entering class of 133. After completing the two stages of instruction offered at Randolph Field, he entered the final stage of training at Kelly Field, and was graduated with honors October 12, 1935. Following graduation he was assigned to the 94th Pursuit Squadron of the United States Army Air Corps at Selfridge Field, Mount Clemens, Michigan. He reported for duty on November 3, after spending a short furlough with parents and friends. At the time of his fatal accident he was looking forward to receiving his commission as a Reserve Officer in the United States Army Air Corps in the near future. A devoted and loving son, a loyal and true brother, a friend to all; his untimely demise is mourned by relatives and friends alike. He is survived by his parents, Dr. and Mrs. I. G. Crowell of Shell Lake; and five brothers, Chester of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Earl of St. Paul, Minnesota; Irving of Sarona, Dean, who is attending Superior State Teachers' College and Homer of Shell Lake. Military Rites Held for Pilot Here on Tuesday Community Mourns Loss of Home Boy With Promising Career Ahead The funeral took place from the M. E. Church, Shell Lake, December 17th. Rev. J. Spoolman, of Ashland, formerly of Northland College staff, conducted the funeral service at the home and also at the church. Members of the National Guard of Spooner and the American Legion members of Shell Lake attended the funeral service. Cadet Evart W. Hedlund of Selfridge Field, on of Max's friends and room-mate accompanied the casket to Shell Lake. Legion members stood guard at the Raas Funeral Parlors, during the time the remains rested there. Four brothers of the deceased: Irving, Chester, Earl and Dean, with Lynn Hansen and Clyde Stouffer, acted as pallbearers. A mail quartet which included: Harold Toll, Glenn Peterson, Bud Bitney and Luther Toftness sang, "In The Garden," and "Abide with Me" with Fern Lockhart accompanist. Many beautiful floral emblems covered the flag draped casket bearing mute testimony of the high esteem in which the deceased was held. Interment took place at the Shell Lake Cemetery. Among the out-of-town guests who attended the funeral were the following: Lynn Hansen of Albert Lea, Minnesota; Mrs. I. Upton of New Richmond; Mr. and Mrs. G. Hansen and family of Ashland; Mrs. M. Hanson of Ashland; Mr. and Mrs. A. Crowell, daughter, Dorothy; Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Crowell and daughter Bonnie Of Hayward; Mr. and Mrs. F. Wakefield and daughter June, of Stone Lake; Mrs. L. Halverson of Eau Claire. From Northland College, Ashland: Misses Grace Alma Branzell and Laura Mawhinney; and Professor H. Meritt, Orval Christman and Matthew Hosmer, of Butternut. --Taken from the Washburn County Register, 19 December 1935, Shell Lake, Washburn Co., Wisconsin.