Biographies C
Phillip Russell Cornette
Russell Cornette was Vice-President and Manager of Cornette's, Incorporated, which operated two stores in Hopkinsville, Kentucky until the corporation was dissolved in November, 1944, at which time a partnership composed of L.B. Cornette and Russell Cornette took over the affairs of the corporation under the business name of “Cornette's.” He assumed management of this corporation in 1930, after five years spent as a tobacco buyer in assocation with his father, the late L.B. Cornette, in the tobacco re-handling concern known as L.B. Cornette & Company.
Russell Cornette was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky on November 27, 1903. At that time his father, L.B. Cornette, was in the initial stages of his career in the tobacco business and employed by the American Snuff Company as buyer and factory manager.
After graduation from the Hopkinsville High School, Russell Cornette attended Vanderbilt University for three years, returning to Hopkinsville to live in 1925. The Thomas-Cornette Company had been organized in 1925 - in 1927 Mr. L.B. Cornette bought out the interest of his partner, formed the corporation “Cornette's, Inc.” - Russell Cornette assumed the position of manager in 1930. They engaged in the business of selling office supplies, gifts, wall paper, luggage, stationery, school books and greeting cards. The corporation operated two stores, one at 708 Main Street and the other at 702 Main Street. The store at 702 South Main was opened in October, 1943 following the establishment of Camp Campbell near Hopkinsville. Military supplies, jewelry and similar merchandise was carried in this store to cater to the soldier trade.
On March 6, 1928 Russell Cornette married Miss Thelma Dean Moss, who was born in Lafayette, Kentucky, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.P. Moss. Miss Moss is a descendant of the McKenzie, Stevenson, Ewing and Moss families which produced a vice president, several ambassadors and other members of national importance and renown.
Two children were born to this union, Phillip Russell, Jr., on December 11, 1928, and Barbara dean on september 24, 1934, both in Hopkinsville.
Russell Cornette is active in civic and church affairs in Hopkinsville. During the war he served as County Chairman of Civilian Defense. He was Cub Master for three years and later served as a Boy Scout Commissioner and Executive Board Member of The Cogioba Council. He served one term as a Deacon in the Ninth Street Christian Church and was elected an Elder in 1945. He served on the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army. He is a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha social fraternity, the Kiwanis Club, the Hopkinsville Golf and Country Club and the Christian County Athenaeum Society. He served several years as a Director of the Chamber of Commerce and was president in 1944.
Related: Lorraine Baker Cornette
Source: Wallis, Frederick A., and Hambleton Tapp, eds. A Sesqui-Centennial History of Kentucky. Vol. 4. Hopkinsville, KY: Historical Record Association, 1945. Pages 1816-1817.
Updated July 6, 2018