Woman of the Century/Ella L. Knowles

KNOWLES, Miss Ella L., lawyer, born in New Hampshire, in 1870. She received a collegiate education and was graduated in Bates College, Lewiston. Maine. In her school-days she was noted for her elocutionary powers, and she often gave dramatic entertainments and acted in amateur theatrical organizations. She received her degree of A. M. in June, 1888, from Bates College, and after hesitating between school-teaching and law as a profession, she decided to study law. She at once entered the office of Judge Bumham, of Manchester, N. H. In 1889 she went to Iowa, where she taught classes in French and German in a seminary for a short time. She next went to Salt Lake City, I tah, where she took a position as teacher. While there, she received an offer of a larger salary to return to the Iowa University, in ELLA L. KNOWLES. which she had taught. She had seen enough of the Rocky Mountains and of the people of that region to make her willing to remain in the West. She went to Helena, Mont., and there was invited to take a position as teacher in the central school. Not long after reaching Helena she decided to finish her law course, and she entered a law office. During her first year in Helena she served as secretary of a lumber company. While studying law she acted as collector, and then look up attach- ment and criminal cases, and she received several divorce cases, which she handed over to her principal. Mr. Kinsley. In 18S9 she was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Montana. She at once formed a law partnership with Mr. Kinsley, and they are doing a large business. On 18th April, 1890, she was admitted to practice before the District Court of the United States, and on 28th April, of the same year, she received credentials that enabled her to practice before the Circuit Court of the United States In 1888 she was appointed a notary public by Governor Leslie. and she was the first woman to hold such an office in Montana. In 1892 she was nominated for Attorney-General of Montana by the Alliance party. She is a woman of tact, courage, enterprise and perseverance. Her profession yields her a good income. Her home is in Helena.