The Ellis ranch on Upper North Fork of the Popo Agie River near Lander was purchased in 1918 by Richard D. “Dick” Ellis’ great grandparents, William H. “Doc” and Frances A. Ellis. Dick grew up in that house and is an active partner in Ellis Land and Livestock. He started riding when he was about three years old. He was horseback every opportunity from that time until the past few years. Dick had the opportunity to go on several family pack trips during the summers in the Wind River mountains west of the ranch. At the age of five Dick rode with his dad Robert Ellis, and older brother Bobby, from the ranch to Dickinson Park (about 15 miles) early one morning (leading three other horses) to begin a family pack trip. The Ellis Ranch was primarily a sheep operation with a few cattle until 1961 when Robert changed from sheep to cattle (cow/calf and yearlings). That was also the first year that the Ellises trailed their cattle to the summer range on Upper Beaver Creek, a drive that took three to four days. These cattle drives continued from 1961 to 1996 and Dick actively participated in and organized them. During high school and college, he competed in bull riding. He continued riding bulls even after he leased his grandfather’s ranch in 1969. Dick served on the Lander Old Timers Rodeo board for over 10 years during the 1980s and 1990s. In the mid 1980s, Dick took on the added responsibility of managing the family ranch, Ellis Land and Livestock, on North Fork. He continues with that responsibility today. When his father, Robert, died in 1997, Dick and his brother Bob, inherited Ellis Land and Livestock.
Richard D. Ellis
