Short Biographies of Early Bar Members

By Dale Raugust

Hon William H. Plummer: Born in 1870 and raised in Massachusetts, the Hon Plummer became first a member of the New Mexican bar in 1888 and then moved to Colfax, Washington in 1889. He practice in Colfax and Farmington for three years and then moved to Spokane. In 1895 he became corporate counsel for the city and then in 1896 a state senator. Since 1900 he has focused on his law duties.

Hon William M Ridpath: After service in the Union army during the Civil War the young Ridpath graduated from college in 1870 in Indiana and then took up the study of law while teaching school. He was admitted to the Indiana bar in 1872 and for ten years practiced in Brazil, Indiana, while moving up the political ladder in the state legislature eventually serving as Speaker of the House. From 1882 to 1886 he served in several federal appointed positions at the pleasure of the President as an Indian agent, and then moved to Spokane in 1888 where he practiced law for about 12 years with a number of partners. He served as Prosecuting attorney from 1889 to 1891. Meanwhile he became involved in the famous Le Roy mine which when sold made fortunes for several Spokane families. With his money he built the Ridpath Hotel which opened in 1899, at the time regarded as the best hotel in Spokane.

Hon Richard B Blake: Also born in Indiana, Judge Blake practiced law in Indiana for 16 years and then moved to Spokane in 1888, the same year as Ridpath. It is not know if they knew each other in Indiana but in Spokane they became law partners until Blake was elected to the Superior Court bench for Spokane and Stevens counties in 1889. He served for 4 years and in 1893 resumed his law partnership with Ridpath until his death in 1900 at the young age of 50. Blake was involved in much prominent litigation and was regarded as one of the best attorneys in Spokane at the time. He was also widely popular and was mentioned as a candidate for governor but refused to consider the possibility. His two sons also became attorneys, one in San Francisco and one in Chicago.

George M Ferris: Mr. Ferris has been a member of the bar since 1903 and formed the firm of Cannon, Ferris, Swan & Lally in 1910. Mr. Ferris was a professional baseball player supporting himself though college and law school in this manner. From 1902-6, he played on the Spokane team during the summer months and practiced his law profession during the winter. His grandson, Joel Ferris would later donate the land upon which Ferris High School was built.

Judge Henry L. Kennan: Judge Kennan served as Superior Court Judge in both Spokane Washington and prior to that in Ohio. He became a member if the bar in Ohio in 1875 and became a probate judge in that state at the age of 32 serving for 9 years. In 1891 he moved to Spokane and in 1902 he was elected a Judge of the Superior Court.