Bio
Ben Ash was a pioneering figure in the Dakota Territory, renowned for his work as a frontiersman, law enforcement officer, cattleman, and trailblazer. Born in Indiana, Ash’s family moved to Yankton, Dakota Territory, in 1859, where they were among the town’s first settlers. As a youth, Ash traded and broke horses, later becoming an assistant to the U.S. Marshal at 17 and eventually serving as a deputy marshal for 12 years. He also held the role of sheriff of Hughes County.
In 1872, Ash supervised the construction of 50 miles of Northern Pacific railroad tracks near Bismarck. He later joined General Custer’s 1873 expedition to explore the Yellowstone region, and in 1874, the discovery of gold on French Creek in the Black Hills led Ash to further explore the area. He marked a trail from Bismarck to the Black Hills, which became a significant route for settlers.
Ash pursued various business ventures, including operating a livery and grocery business, and later ranching. He established a horse ranch with up to 3,500 head, which he sold in 1903, and later raised cattle under the “C Cross” brand, managing up to 10,000 head of cattle.
Ash was inducted into the National Cowboy Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City for his contributions to pioneering in the West. His legacy includes the Bismarck Trail, which he helped establish, and his role in the development of the Black Hills region.
