Ferris, Joel Edward, 1874-1960.

Washington State banker, Joel Edward Ferris (1874-1960), was born in Illinois in 1874. He was educated in California, attended Carthage College, and earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois in 1895. From 1895 to 1897, he worked as a law clerk and a bank clerk. He then worked as an investment banker in Kansas City, St. Louis, and London. In 1908, Ferris came to Spokane, where he continued to work as a banker. He married Clara Hughes in 1914. He became the chairman of the Spokane and Eastern Division of the Seattle-First National Bank in 1945. He was state chairman for the first and second war bond drives. He was also affiliated with the Salvation Army, Whitman College, the Eastern Washington State Historical Society, and the Friends of the Library of Washington State University.

Joel E. Ferris came to Spokane in 1908 to work for the Union Trust company. In 1913 he and George P. Hardgrove established the investment banking firm of Ferris & Hardgrove. Ferris became president of the Spokane & Eastern Trust Company in 1931. He served on the boards of many universities, colleges, and public and private institutions, including Whitman College, Washington State University, the Hutton Settlement, and St. Luke's Hospital. Ferris was known for his interest in history, and he published numerous articles on Pacific Northwest and Inland Empire history and served as president of the Eastern Washington State Historical Society. When Ferris died, his fine library of Pacific Northwest Americana was donated to the Eastern Washington State Historical Society and it formed the foundation on which the Society's Special Collections has been built.

Joel E. Ferris came to Spokane in 1908 to work for the Union Trust Company. In 1913 he and George P. Hardgrove established the investment banking firm of Ferris & Hardgrove. Ferris became president of the Spokane & Eastern Trust Company in 1931. He served on the boards of many universities, colleges and public and private institutions, including Whitman College, Washington State University, The Hutton Settlement, and St. Luke’s Hospital. Ferris was known for his interest in history, and he published numerous articles on Pacific Northwest and Inland Empire history and served as president of the Eastern Washington State Historical Society. When Ferris died, his fine library of Pacific Northwest Americana was donated to the Eastern Washington State Historical Society and it formed the foundation on which the Society’s Special Collections has been built.