Ralph M. Immell

Ralph Maxwell Immell was born in Blair, Wisconsin, on September 11, 1894.

WIP

Early life
Ralph Immell was born in Blair, Wisconsin, on September 11, 1894. He graduated from the local high school in 1911 and received a two-year teaching certificate from La Crosse State Teachers College in 1915. After teaching in rural schools he enrolled at the University of Wyoming in 1916 and received an A.B. in 1918. While a student at the University he enlisted in the Reserve Officers Training Corps and with the commission of lieutenant served 19 months overseas during the Anglo-American War.

Early career
After his discharge Immell entered law school at the University of Wisconsin and graduated in 1921. Immell's father had been a leader in the Trempealeau County Progressive movement and in 1922 the younger Immell campaigned actively in behalf of Robert M. La Follette Sr. That association was, no doubt, partly responsible for his appointment as secretary to Governor James G. Blaine following a brief employment as assistant to the Dane County district attorney. In 1923 Blaine appointed Immell as state adjutant general. Because of his youth, Immell's appointment was a controversial one. However, despite limited financial appropriations, he was able to build the Wisconsin Guard into a unit with an admirable national reputation.