Ralph W. Farris

Ralph Webster Farris Sr. (June 1, 1886 – April 2, 1968) was an American lawyer and politician who was Maine Attorney General from 1945 to 1951.

Early life Farris was born in Rockland, Maine, on June 1, 1886, to Henry and Alice (Webster) Farris. He earned his bachelor of laws from the Willamette University College of Law in 1914, then worked as a newspaper reporter in New York City. On March 1, 1917, he married Lillian Essancy in Augusta, Maine. They had two sons and a daughter. One son, Ralph Jr., was Kennebec County attorney.

Career Farris was admitted to the bar in 1917 and practiced with the office of Andrews & Nelson in Augusta until 1918, when he opened his own office. During World War I, he was a legal advisor to the Augusta Selective Service board. Farris was a member of the Maine Senate from 1941 to 1945 and was chairman of the legislative judiciary committee from 1942 to 1945.

Farris was the Republican nominee for mayor of Augusta in the 1942 election and was declared the winner by 25 votes. He was inaugurated on January 4, 1943, but a recount conducted under the supervision of judge Raymond Fellows found that Levi T. Williams had won the election by five votes. On January 12, Farris dropped his appeals and conceded the election to Williams. Williams was sworn in on January 18.

In 1945, Farris sought the office of Maine Attorney General – a position that is elected by the Maine Legislature. He was reelected in 1947. Farris and LaFleur faced off again in 1951. This time, LaFleur won 82 votes to 70.

Death Farris died on April 2, 1968, at his home in Augusta.