About Russell Maxton Case

Rear: Ernest Wendell Case, Robert Leland Case
Front: Forrest Neil Case, Russell Maxton "Max" Case

Russell Maxton "Max" Case was born on 19 Feb 1917 in Mansfield, Richland County, Ohio. His parents were William Ernest Case and wife, Mary Elizabeth Au. Max had three siblings: Ernest Wendell Case, born 26 Jan 1914; Robert Leland Case, born 13 Sep 1915; and Forrest Neil Case, born 11 Jun 1919. Except for a brief period in the early 1920s, when they lived in Falls Township, Muskingum County, Ohio, the Case family lived in Mansfield.

Max attended Madison Township High School for the academic years of 1931-1932, 1932-1933, 1933-1934, and 1934-1935. He loved football and joined the MTHS squad as a freshman but did not play until his sophomore year. The "Voice of 1933" yearbook describes his football skills this way: "Case a smashing tackle, in all probability will be next year's varsity tackle if he continues playing the same kind of football". His skills as a sophomore earned him a letter in football and membership in the "M" Association. Max was also the Secretary-Treasurer of the Sophomore Class.

As a Junior, Max continued to excel on the football field and was elected as "Captain-elect" for 1934. The entry in the 1934 "Madisonian" put it this way: "He was chosen because he was cool-headed and should make a good man to succeed Roberts. He plays a guard and has made himself known by his speed in going on interference. He is a sure blocker and tackler and has earned two letters."

The same academic year, Max added basketball to his repertoire of sports. His entry on the "Madisonian" Basketball page reads: "Well, well. Here is Madison's football Captain elect in a basketball suit. He played a guard and earned his letter at that post. This being his first year out for basketball, and one year remaining, he should do big things for Madison on the basketball floor as well as lead the Madison Gridsters to another championship." As in the prior academic year, Max was a member of the "M" Association.

Max contributed the following to the yearbook's Joke page:
Max Case: "Sir, your daughter has promised to become my wife."
Father: "Well, don't come near me for sympathy. I knew something like that would happen to you hanging around the house five nights a week."

Max's participation in school activities increased significantly during his final academic year. He was now the captain of a football team that won seven of the eight games they played that season and went on to win the 1934 Ohio Mid-State Championships. His entry on the Football page of that year's "Madisonian" reads: "A captain, whose persistence and determination, strengthened by his brilliant performance as a guard and blocking half, made him a leader who kept the flame of enthusiasm burning throughout the season. He will be lost by graduation."

Max was the Treasurer of the "M" Association and served on the Athletic Council. His Senior bio indicates that he played basketball that year, but his name and photo are not set out on the Basketball pages of the "Madisonian." Max also found time to participate in several non-athletic activities, serving as:

• Senior Class Secretary and Treasurer;
• Assistant-Editor of the Annual Staff;
• First President of the Madison Literary Society;
• Charter member of the newly founded Science Club;
• member of the Dramatics Club, where he played a leading role in the Senior Class Play, a comedy entitled "Hot Copy"; and
• as a member of the Debate Club.

The Senior Class Prophecy predicted that on 1 Apr 1945, Max Case would be "a prominent young lawyer of New York." In the Senior Class Last Will and Testament, his "curly red hair was left to Willard Lockhart." In his Senior bio, Max states that his hobby is "Making life a success," and his ambition is "To have curly hair."

Max graduated from Madison Township High School on the evening of 23 May 1935.

Max attended Ashland College, Ashland, Ohio, and Baldwin Wallace College, Berea, Ohio. He received a B.S. Degree from Baldwin Wallace College in 1940.

On 8 Sep 1940, Max married Mary Marlele Long in Ashland, Boyd County, Kentucky. Ashland lies just across the Ohio River, about a four-hour drive south of Mansfield. An announcement of the marriage was placed in the Mansfield News Journal on 28 Oct 1941.

The following month, on 16 Oct 1940, Max filled out his Selective Service Registration Card.

On 22 Jan 1941, Mansfield's "Citizens committee" announces plans for a dance and supper for 155 Richland County draftees, including two sets of brothers, one of which consists of Russell M. Case and Robert L. Case R.D. 5, Mansfield. The draftees will leave Monday, 27 Jan 1941, initially for Ft. Hayes, Columbus, Ohio, and later to Camp Shelby, Mississippi.