Details

Collection Summary
Collection: FND003 - SHSND Foundation - Aviation Hall of Fame
Series: Tribute
Folder: DIG
Item: 00036
Title: Martin Schow
Date: 2014
Creator:
Inscription/Marks:
Summary: Martin C. Schow was born in Noble Township, Cass County, near Fargo. His family relocated to Regent in 1911. In 1917 Martin filed a homestead near Forsyth, MT. However, the death of his wife and unborn child in 1920 led him back to Regent. Martin was one of the first pilots in North Dakota and Mercer County, soloing on April 17, 1928. He built an OX-5 Travel-Air in 1927 with parts from wrecked airplanes and his own blueprints. His wife, Madeline, upholstered the inside and helped cover the outside with Indianhead linen and cover all with “dope,” which is cellulose applied to shrink the fabric and provide a seal. Martin named his plane the “Sakakawea” and the field at Hazen “Sakakawea Airfield.” He also encouraged other small towns to develop airfields. Martin established a flying school at the “Sakakwea Airfield.” His friend, John Osterhouse, along with his wife, Madeline and his nephew, Duane Larson, were his first students with thirty or more to follow. Martin and John sponsored air shows in towns throughout North Dakota. They did aerobatics and gave rides. In 1936, Martin was asked to help manage the Bismarck Air Show and judge the First Dakota Air Tour. In 1933, he helped manage the dedication of the Mandan airport and assisted with the 1936 Pioneer Days Festival Air Show in Bismarck. Martin established a private airport on his ranch near Fort Clark in the early 1940s and continued to sponsor air shows and influence young men and women. Martin was always willing to assist young and old with aircraft construction, mechanical problems, or just dreams. He spoke to high school students in Hazen and Stanton about aviation and its importance to the state and nation, followed by many free rides for teachers and students. After attending Lindbergh Day in Fargo, where he sat at Lindbergh’s table, shook his hand, and heard him speak, he published a 1930 calendar titled “Learn to Fly Like Lindbergh.” The full story of Lindbergh’s famous flight was printed on the back cover. Martin used an airplane for transporting patients to medical assistance and to search for the missing. Martin provided a Curtis Pusher airplane to Cliff Beeks and Ray Wicklander for training students. He built a fire truck and organized a fire station in Stanton. Martin also built a garage, the Stanton Motor Company, where during the depression he repaired autos and machinery. In 1959 Martin was involved in the re-organization of the English and German Lutheran churches to form the “Our Savior’s Lutheran Church” in Stanton, helped raise money for the building of the Hazen Hospital, assisted the Stanton School plan events and constructed a stage curtain that promoted aviation. Martin was a member of the American Society for the Promotion of Aviation (ASPA) and the Aircraft Owners Pilots Association (AOPA). He was also a member of the Missouri Slope Stockmen’s Association and the Flying Farmers. He served as deputy sheriff for Mercer County and was awarded the Coal Country CB Memorial Plaque in 1977 for service in his community to others for no monetary rewards.
Red ID: FND_I_77385 Image ID: 509206 Image Notes: 10950 00003 00036

Collection: FND003 Digitized Images from Collection
Title: SHSND Foundation - Aviation Hall of Fame
Date:

Summary: The North Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame honors those in North Dakota aviation who brought exceptional recognition to themselves during their aviation careers. A 12-member committee of the North Dakota Aviation Council judges the merits of nominees based on: - Major achievements in aviation in North Dakota - - Significant contributions to the development of others in aviation in North Dakota - - Special service to the State of North Dakota in aviation activities - - Activities that bring credit to North Dakota aviation either nationally or internationally - - Significant contributions to the local community or the state of North Dakota that are not related to aviation (service clubs, church related, political action, etc.) -

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