Bio: Briggs, H. Randall (1957)

Contact: Dolores Mohr Kenyon

Email: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 
 

Surnames: Briggs, Waterman, Pietenpol
 

----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI.) July 11, 1957 
 

Briggs, H. Randolph (1957) 
 

Did you know that Henry Randolph Briggs, who signs his name H. Randolph Briggs, and is popularly known as "Randy" was born in Minnesota, is the son of George "Soybean" Briggs, (the man who sold Wisconsin farmers on the growing of the soybean), played on the University of Wisconsin Hockey team, had a "boyhood" ambition to work with youth, and for many years has been associated with conservation, farm improvement and better living? 
 

Randy was born at St. Paul, Minn., June 10, 1915, to Mr. and Mrs. George M. Briggs.  At the time of his birth, his father was attending the University of Minnesota, and a year later the family moved to Grantsburg, in northwestern Wisconsin.  In 1920, the family moved to Madison where Randy attended grade school and was graduated from Madison West High School in 1933. 
 

In the fall of that year he entered the University of Wisconsin majoring in zoology, but transferring in two years to agronomy. After five years’ study in the two fields he was graduated in 1938. 
 

January 3, 1939, Randy entered the soil conservation service by enrolling in the Civilian Conservation Corps in Crawford County, making his headquarters at Gays Mills.  On March 4, 1939, he was married to Marlene Waterman at Madison, and the newlyweds went to housekeeping at Soldiers Grove. 
 

In May 1940, Randy was appointed technician in farm accounting, working jointly for soil conservation service and state department school of agriculture.  Directing a survey of 100 farms in Grant County (50 farms in soil conservation and 50 not) Randy kept records which provided information as to "trends at early stage of farmers following soil conservation methods."  The 100 farmers were considered outstanding in the area; and the early figures showed that those who practiced soil conservation were more successful than those who did not. 
 

Late in 1942, Randy returned to exclusive soil conservation work, moved to Darlington  in Lafayette County, and spent six months as an assistant soil conservationist.  He was then transferred to Wausau, where he became director of soil conservation for the western half of Marathon County, with residence at Stratford. 
 

Enlisting in the U. S. Naval reserve in June, 1944, Randy was commissioned an Ensign at Milwaukee, and was sent to Princeton University for schooling.  Later, he attended service schools at Camp Sheldon, VA., Brooklyn Navy Yard, (Armed Guards’ section), and to Miami, Fla., where he received training in small craft. 
 

In March, 1945, Ensign Briggs was assigned to patrol duty in Panama Bay, Pacific entrance, patrolling area about 65 miles out from the Canal, serving as a warning control in case of attack. 
 

May, 1945, found Randy assigned to a Landing Ship Tank (L. S. T. Boat) number 1089, made into an ammunition ship carrying 1,200 tons of explosives headed for Okinawa.  The armistice changed the course of the boat, which visited Saipan and Manila Bay, Randy making two trips to Japan, and returning to the United States to be discharged at Great Lakes in March, 1946. 
 

On April 1, 1946, Randy with his family, moved to Neillsville to work with a work unit of the Clark County Soil Conservation District.  The Briggs family purchased the Bernard Pietenpol residence on Clay Street in 1952, where they now reside. 
 

Randy Briggs came from a family of six boys and a girl, all of whom were encouraged by the parents in higher education. Four doctorates, a masters and a bachelors degree are held by members of the George Briggs family. 
 

Although Randy came from a family predominately boys, his family consists of four girls: Sharry 17, Mary 15, Jill 9, and Jean 7. 
 

As a boyhood dreamer, Randy wanted to work with youth, especially boy scouts.  He served as counselor for three years in boy scout summer camp, with the Madison Council at Green Lake; five years as scoutmaster at Madison, Darlington, and Stratford; and served on the boy scout committee several years in Neillsville. 
 

An active member of the Methodist church, Randy was district president of the Epworth league, (Methodist youth group), for the Madison-Platteville district. "A coincidence," says Randy, " is that our oldest daughter, Sharry, has just been elected president of the La Crosse district Methodist youth fellowship, which is the new name for the Epworth league." 
 

As a young man, Randy followed his father’s interest in music, playing clarinet and bassoon in the Madison West Band, sang in the high school glee club and chorus, and since 15 years of age has sung in a church choir, often singing solos.

Playing on the University of Wisconsin Hockey team as a freshman, he had no further opportunity as hockey was discontinued the next year due to the uncertainties of outdoor rinks.  As a sportsman, Randy has always shown keen interest in all University sports, has followed the Braves, Packers and local school athletic program. 
 

Randy is affiliated with Neillsville Methodist Church, American Legion, Masonic Lodge of Neillsville, is clerk of school board, secretary of Neillsville planning committee, and is past president of the Neillsville Kiwanis club.  He has also been associated with American Red cross and community Chest drives, was an enthusiastic worker for the Neillsville Memorial Hospital, and is a member of the "Gallon Club" of the Red Cross Blood bank.