By By ANDY HAMILTON / Niles Daily Star
NILES - A family name with an important history in the area has returned to Niles. On Friday, the law office of James C. Ellis, PLC opened its doors to the public with a ceremony sponsored by the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce. It was the first official business opening of the new year.
Both of Ellis' parents began working in the Niles area in 1958. His mother, Fern, held a number of positions with Simplicity Pattern Co. The elder James Ellis was once the principal of Howard Community Schools and the elementary building near Barron Lake is named in his honor.
The younger Ellis graduated from Niles High School in 1968 and was a Howard Township police officer for a short period before pursuing a law degree, which he received from the University of Notre Dame in 1984. In November of the same year, Ellis wed Niles native Monica Moore.
His career has taken him around the country and to the Middle East, but Ellis says the atmosphere and safety of the Niles area was too strong a draw to keep him away.
President and CEO of the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce Ronald Sather directed the grand opening at Ellis' new office located in suite 101 at 322 E. Main St. in the old post office building. Prior to the ribbon cutting ceremony, Sather, along with other area officials, welcomed the Ellis family back to Niles.