”FRANK W. ELLIS.
Though among the younger representatives of the legal profession at Clinton, Frank W. Ellis has won distinction in his conduct of litigation, and stands high in the estimation of the members of the Clinton county bar. The son of one of the ablest practitioners of the city, he inherited much of his father’s natural aptitude for the law, but, realizing that hard work counts for more than talent in this profession, he applied himself steadily to its study, and is very thorough in his preparation of legal work.
Frank W. Ellis was born in the city which is still his home on May 4, 1865, the son of Lyman A. and Mary (Buckley) Ellis. His father was long prominent in Clinton county politics and legal affairs. Frank W. attended the schools of Clinton, and was graduated from the high school in 1883. He afterward attended the University of Minnesota, and later read law with the firm of Ellis & McCoy. In May. 1888, he was admitted to the bar, and practiced until 1890. He then removed to Denver, where he continued in practice for four years, and at the expiration of that period returned to Clinton, where he was for several years a member of the firm of Ellis & Ellis, since which time he has been a member of the prosperous and influential firm of Barker, Ellis & McCoy, which firm is now Ellis & McCoy, Mr. Barker having been elected to the bench. Mr. Ellis is a man of high mental endowments. Ambitious to excel in the things that are worth while, and of undaunted perseverance and determination, he has gained a recognized place in his profession, and has a bright future.
In May, 1899, Mr. Ellis was married to Celeste Ware, of Clinton, and one child, Jane, was born to them in June, 1900. In his fraternal relations Mr. Ellis is a Mason and a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, while in politics he is a Republican, takes active part in the party work, and served for some years as city attorney of Clinton. During his practice he has laid a strong foundation in the principles of law, and is usually able easily to place a case which comes before him in its proper category, and then by adequate preparation he becomes such a master of the questions involved that he is indeed a formidable opponent to whom ever he meets and rightly deserves the success which he has so often won. Mr. Ellis is a man of much public spirit and is ever ready to lend his aid and influence to any measure which has the good of the community for its purpose.”
Source: Wolfe’s History of Clinton County, Iowa, Vol. 2, by P.B. Wolfe, B.F. Bowen & Company, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1911, pages 866-7
