HON. ALVIN T. FERRISS.- This representative citizen of Eastern Washington was born in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, in 1852, being the son of James R. and Mary Worth Ferriss. He resided at his birthplace until fifteen years old, at that date removing with his parents to Northwest Missouri. In the spring of 1872 he came west to Denver. After a short stay among the Rocky Mountains, engaged in mining and other operations, and at one time as railroad contractor on the Oregon Short Line, he crossed the continent in 1883 to Washington Territory, and, after looking over the country, selected Pullman as his future home. Soon after his arrival, he started the present large hardware business with Charles Kingman. In two years he was joined by his brother, James Ferriss, and conducted the business under the firm name of Ferriss Bros. In June, 1887, they suffered a loss of twelve thousand dollars above insurance by fire, but in the same year rebuilt, erecting their present commodious building where they carry a stock worth forty thousand dollars, and are the largest firm in their line in the Palouse country. Besides his mercantile business, Mr. Ferris is also active in financial circles, being president of the Pullman Bank. In the fall of 1888, his popularity was evinced by his election as representative of Whitman county on nominating of the Republican party, receiving the largest vote on his ticket.
He was married in Pullman in 1885 to Miss Lizzie Harris, a native of Missouri. By this union they have two children, Robert and Jessie.