Ben M. Wood Biography


	This biography appears on pages 219, 221-222 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				BEN M. WOOD. 

	Ben M. Wood is prominently identified with a movement that is a 
significant factor in advancing modern civilization. Not only in South 
Dakota but throughout various other parts of the country is he known as 
an advocate of good roads and one whose study has covered every phase 
of the question. In Rapid City, where he makes his home, he is perhaps 
best known as junior partner in the law firm of Cull & Wood, his 
partner being Loomis S. Cull. This does not cover the scope of his 
activities, however, for he is entitled to threefold prominence, being 
a recognized leader of the democratic party in South Dakota. He would 
have been the democratic candidate for mayor under the commission plan 
had not his age prevented, for he is yet one of the young men of the 
state, his birth having occurred in the city where he still makes his 
home, March 25, 1887 His father was the late Chauncey L. Wood, who was 
again and again elected to the mayoralty of Rapid City and who in 1910 
was the democratic candidate for governor. Moreover, he was recognized 
as a lawyer of profound learning, and his example has been the 
stimulating influence in the life of his son. 

	The youthful days of Ben M. Wood were devoted to the acquirement 
of an education in Kansas, Missouri and South Dakota, and in 
preparation for law practice he entered the University of South Dakota, 
from which he was graduated in 1910, the LL. B. degree being at that 
time conferred upon him. He at once became the professional associate 
of his father, but their connection was terminated by the sudden death 
of the senior partner in January, 1911. Mr. Wood took over his father's 
law practice and remained alone until September, 1912, when he entered 
into partnership with Judge Loomis S. Cull under the present firm style 
of Cull & Wood. His ability to solve intricate law problems and present 
his cause with clearness and force are qualities which are bringing him 
more and more to the front as a practitioner. It is in connection with 
political affairs and the good roads movement, however, that Mr. Wood 
is most widely known outside of his home town. Interested in the 
political situation and questions of the day from early manhood, he has 
become a recognized leader in the state and in 1912 was elected 
temporary and afterward made permanent chairman of the democratic state 
convention held at Pierre on the 31st of January. That was the largest 
democratic gathering ever held in the state and on that occasion his 
friends strongly urged him to become a candidate for the office of 
attorney general on the democratic ticket, but he refused. In fact, he 
has steadily refused to accept proffered county and state offices, 
preferring that his public service shall be done as a private citizen. 
In April, 1912, he organized the Western South Dakota Fair Association, 
capitalized for fifty thousand dollars, of which he was the secretary, 
and its success is primarily due to his efforts. It has been a 
stimulating influence in holding high standards before the people and 
is an incentive for progressive effort along all lines of industrial, 
commercial and agricultural activity. Mr. Wood recognized its 
possibilities for far-reaching effectiveness and his work in that 
connection has been indeed resultant. 

	In 1912 the question of good roads was becoming one of wide 
interest in the state and in March Mr. Wood was selected as a delegate 
to the convention which formed the South Dakota Scenic Highway 
Association, of which he was chosen secretary. Up to that time he had 
taken little active interest in the question of good roads, but he 
never enters upon any work blindly and he began to read extensively all 
the literature that he could procure upon the subject and his earnest 
interest and enthusiasm were aroused. Nature gifted him with oratorical 
power and his ability in this direction made his addresses upon the 
subject of good roads of great interest so that his services were soon 
in demand wherever the question was being discussed. On the 21st of 
August, 1912, at Pierre, the South Dakota Good Road Association was 
organized and Mr. Wood was unanimously selected as secretary. On the 
same occasion Governor Vessey appointed him as his personal 
representative on the pathfinder tour from Winnipeg to Galveston over 
the Meridian highway, but he was unable to make the trip because of the 
responsibility attendant upon the management and launching of the 
Western South Dakota State Fair. Prior to the assembling of the 
thirteenth session of the state legislature he devoted several months 
to careful study and preparation of a good road law for South Dakota, 
which eventually was passed. In 1913 he organized a pathfinder party to 
tour the transcontinental route from Chicago to the Yellowstone Park, 
which is known as the Black and Yellow Trail. He went upon the 
Chautauqua platform as a speaker upon the subject of good roads, 
appearing in thirteen different states, and everywhere he has been 
listened to with interest and attention. He is a fluent speaker, 
possesses a large vocabulary and a pleasing address. On July 1, 1913, 
he was appointed to the long term on the South Dakota State Highway 
Commission, by Governor Frank M. Byrne. 

	That Mr. Wood possesses the confidence of his fellow townsmen was 
shown in their efforts to make him a candidate for the mayoralty in the 
fall of 1912, but the age limit, prescribed by the statutes of the 
state for mayors elected under the commission form of government was 
twenty-six and Mr. Wood lacked three months of having attained that 
age. He was consequently barred from the office, but whether in office 
or out of it there is no question as to Mr. Wood's public spirit and 
his devotion to the general good. He stands preeminently for progress 
and, attacking everything with a contagious enthusiasm, he wins for his 
cause a large following. In the political campaign of 1914 he was 
intimately associated with the candidacy of Hon. Harry L. Gandy, who by 
his successful election stands as the first democrat to be elected to 
congress from the state of South Dakota.