Drenth, Ben

Ben Drenth was born in Holland in 1879, immigrated to the United States as a child, and lived in Nebraska and Texas before settling in Fresno with his family in 1900. After completing his public school education, he entered public service in 1903 upon his appointment to the Fresno Police Department. He spent three years as a patrolman before earning a promotion to the department’s detective bureau, where he provided essential tactical leadership and investigative skill until his resignation from the force in 1910.

Transitioning into county-wide law enforcement, Drenth successfully ran for the office of constable in 1910, winning the election by a substantial majority. His impartial, dedicated, and highly capable execution of his duties earned wide public approval, leading to his successful reelection four years later. An influential figure in civic and fraternal organizations, he balanced his ongoing responsibilities as constable with active leadership roles in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and various local progressive causes.