Ben Marsh

Ben Marsh was born in Maysville, Kentucky, to Millard Fillmore and Mary D. Toup Marsh. He attended Maysville schools before enrolling at the University of Kentucky, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture in 1919. Known to teammates and sportswriters as “Big Ben,” Marsh played center for the Wildcats and earned a varsity “K” in 1918. Newspaper accounts praised his size and dependable play, while later recalling that interests beyond basketball soon occupied much of his time.

Marsh was active throughout campus during his years at Kentucky. He was a member of the Agricultural Society, Mystic Thirteen, and the Strollers Dramatic Club, appearing in the 1917 production of The Lion and the Mouse. He later served as secretary and treasurer of the Strollers and also played on Kentucky’s sophomore football team.

Following graduation, Marsh devoted his career to agriculture and dairy work. He served as a county agricultural agent, dairy inspector, and dairy specialist before spending many years with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where he became section chief of the Agricultural Conservation and Price Support programs in Lexington. He also served as secretary of the Lexington Chamber Music Society. Marsh died on May 2, 1954, at the age of 55.