1885 - 1976

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• Birth	4 Dec 1885	Watertown, Sd
  Gender	Male
  Died	16 Oct 1976	Naples, Fl
  Person ID	I30800	Brainard (Brainerd) / Foster / Fish
  Last Modified	30 Jan 2005 00:00:00
  Father	Stephen Albro BRIGGS, b. Nov 1834, Stonington, New London, Connecticut or Westerly Rhode Island
  Mother	Flora Dyer FOSTER, b. Oct 1858, Millbridge, Me
  Family ID	F12864	Group Sheet
  Married	17 Feb 1910	Vermillon, Sd
  Family ID	F12863	Group Sheet

• Notes

  STEPHEN F BRIGGS (1885-1976) & BEATRICE BRANCH (1888-1979) *1857 Yankton, SD had its inception in a steamboat landing and a smalltrading-house. *1859 Was the first real settlement in Yankton as soon as the Indianswere removed. Yankton was the capital. *1865 Was the start of real growth for Yankton following a severe droughtand problems with the Indians (Sioux War 1862). It was a real steamboatcity along with being a railroad hub. *1885 December 4th SFB born on farm near Watertown, Codington Cty, SD *1888 BEATRICE BRANCH born 22 Dec, Yankton,SD *1889 BEATRICE baptized 22 Dec 1st Congregational Church,Yankton by Dan FBradley *1901 SF attended grade school and high school in Watertown and his firstjob according to BEATRICE was: He was hired by two gentlemen partnersfrom Watertown who represented a farm equipment company to be theirchauffer. On the first outing they went to a demonsration of awindstacker and the two gents (Bothington and Dall) got crocked andproceeded to toss "Pops" prized straw hat, a gift from his father intothe windstacker which turned it into straw. To retaliate "Pops"deliberatly got the auto stuck in mud and made the two gents get out andpush which covered their great white boiled shirts with mud. (seepictures). He got fired age 16. She went on to state that the success ofthe marriage was "He makes me laugh" *1903 Entered SD State College at Brookins, SD having graduated fromWatertown High School in 1903. Was quoted in an article as saying " Iwired most of the town for electricity and fixed most of the 1st autosfrom 1903-1907" *1906 Met Harry Stratton the summer of 1906 through William Juneau, thenAthletic Director at Brookings. With Harry Stratton's financial help,before graduating from college he designed and built a six cylinder twocycle air cooled automobile engine (picture in file) and earned part ofhis way by repairing things. Part of the machine work for the engine wasdone at the college shop in Brookings. SF's first job was as a machinestat A. O. Smith in Milwaukee. This was after his junior year in college. *1907 SF graduated South Dakota State College, Brookings BS ElectricalEngineering. Moved to Milwaukee, Wi. He had been active in athleticsespecially basketball. *1908 Built the "Superior" automobile which was a full toring car. Threeof them were made. (See pics) The Superior is still considered by manyengineers to be the most innovative and advanced car of the era. At thistime the conservative banks of Milwaukee were controled by the BeerBarons who believed the auto had no place in the 20th century. " Theyknew the horse was here to stay , but they weren't so sure about thecar." Around this time S.F. encouraged Atwater Kent to go into theproduction of the radio. At the time of WW1 he formed the Briggs loadingCompany which made rifle grenades for the Army. Shortly thereafter SFformed the Lemke Briggs Electric Company to manufacture ignition coilswhich they supplied to Ole Evinrude for his use in the first outboard. *1909 Briggs and Stratton was launched to build gasoline ignitiondevices. In the begining the stationary heading was "Briggs & Strattondesigners and builders of HIGH GRADE AUTOMOBILES" S.F. Briggs andH.H.Stratton Later developed switches for controlling ignition, lightsand starters on automobiles. Also built door handles, window lifts, oilfilters, carburators, horns and spring covers. The switch business led tothe manufacturer of locks for switches, doors, compartments, etc onautomobiles. The gasoline engine business was an outgrowth of anunsucessful venture by B&S to build bicycle motor wheels in the periodfrom 1919-1923 . The engines developed for the motor wheels were adaptedto other uses such as lawn mowers, garden cultivators, cloths washingmachines,etc. *1910 S F BRIGGS and BEATRICE BRANCH married 17 February at St PaulsChurch,the chapel at the University of SD, Vermillion, SD by RevMr.Henderson. The reception was at the Branch home east of the University. The Matron of honor was Miss Marie Lotze. BEAgraduated from the State University in Vermillion on June 9th. From Localnewspaper: The many friends of Mr. BRIGGS will rejoice at this weddingbecause he has won one of the most charming girls in the southern part ofthe state. She known to number of people in Watertown who admire her manypleasing characteristics. STEVE BRIGGS known to his friends as "Tead" isa young man of great ability. During his boyhood days in Watertown. Hewon much favorable comment because of his inventive genius. After March15th couple will be living at 742 Cramer St., Milwaukee,Wi. *1916 Lived at 463 (or 469) Belleview Pl ,Miwaukee,Wi. On a returnbussiness trip from the East SF was in a terrible train accident of the20th Century Limited early am of March 29,1916. (See seperate documentfor details) *1919 O n May 3rd S.F. purchased a Pierce Arrow for $7,274.05 and twoextra tires for $144! At this time he and Bea lived at 1584 Lake Drive inMilwaukee *1928 Held a party at "Pinewood" to open the cottage by the lake and thenew pier on 23 June 1928. In attendance among others were FritzMagin,Carl Eshwiler,Freddie Hanson and George Blakney. The invitationsaid "Dancing on the porch and pier until keg, Victrola and feet giveout" This year B&S bought Evinrude. *1929 This year was their first visit to Naples along with their goodfriends from Milwaukee-- The Bradley's, (FounderAllen-Bradly)Schlesinger's, and Uihleins (Schiltz Breweery). *1932 SF and BEA visited Naples, Fl. They were the guest of Katie andArmin Schlsinger of Milwaukee. the Schlsinger son Benz married BezzieStratton daughter of Harry Sr. The story is that before Benz was 21 hisfather Armin insisted that he change his last name to McGregor so hecould get into the Milwaukee Country Club. Armin had been turned downbecause he was Jewish. *1934 He bought 400 ft of beach front property on Gordon Drive for$15,000. 5 acres. Became interested in photography while recovering froma serious hand injury caused by a labratory explosion. *1935 He moved to Naples,Fl and completed their house at 2700 GordonDrive in 1936. Cost of home was around $50,000. *1936 He switched his energy from B&S to OMC becoming both President anda Director of OMC leaving Briggs and Stratton to be run by his oldcollege friend and classmate Charles Coughlin. While president of B&S hereceived a salary of $33,000 annually. When he left to become presidentof OMC his salary was reduced to $18,000 even though he continued to bearthe title of President of B&S. *1938 He felt he should resign as president of B&S as he was not making asignificant contribution so Charles Coughlin became president and S.F.chairman at the reduced salary of $9,000 annually. From this year through1942 he was not very active attending only 9 of16 Directors meetings. *1941 As of 31 December he owned only 12,406 shares of B&S or 4.14% andother members of the family owned an additional 12,307 shares or 4.10%.Total family holdings were only 8.24%. Around this time he had acquiredBeach and Arthur Paper Co. The rehabilitation of which cost around$600,000 and the bank loan was secured by both B&S and OMC stock. Asincome from the mill was not sufficent to repay the loan he sold B&Sstock to pay down the loan. 3500 shares on the open market netted$94,427.81 and an additional 2000 shares were sold privatly. Later inyear reduced holdings to 16,713 shares including the family or 5.57% *1946-1948 Served on the Naples City Council. About this time became fulltime resident of Naples but still spent summers at Pinewood in Hartland,W.I. *1947 S.F. along with Benjie Morris and Glen Sample founded the NaplesYacht Club. S.F. was the first Commodore. At this time the population ofNaples was around 1400. The Yacht Club was very small and exclusivemainly catering to friends of the founders through 1953. At this time theClub had some very informal meetings, more on the order of parties with the "membership" andfriends. One location for "Club functions" was the famous "Mangrove King"a bizarre looking craft which was owned by Benjie Morris. "The "King"sported tables on the foredeck and was more a "happening" than a boat.It was finally moved to Miami, where it was used for "The Arthur GodfreyShow," a far safer locale than the sea. The next headquarters were the"Quenn" another one of Benjie's boats which was a two storybarge/houseboat moored at the south end of 14th Ave. S. He later moved itto the Bahamas. By 1953 they decided to expand and become a real clubadding 20 new members. *1948 S.F. resigned as Chairman of Briggs & Stratton to devote more timeto OMC. At the time sales at B&S were $24 million. *1948 He started his photography 14 years ago while rcovering from aserious hand injury suffered in a labrotary experiment and this yeardecided to specialize in bird photgraphy. . *1949 The city of Naples had 2000 people and decided to add 13 miles ofpavement, a new park, groins to protect the beach, and mosquito control.The unique thing was that the town had no debt or bonds of any kind. Themoney came from the local residents led by S.F. BRIGGS, Benjie Morris,Glen Sample, Junkie Fleishman, Bill Uehlien, Harry Bradley and others.the city raised the $243,000 from local contributions. S.F. persuadedWilliam Uehlein who VP of Schlitz Brewery to establish the Naples WaterWorks. At this time Beatrice was involved in the founding of theEpiscopal church, Trinity by the Cove. The land being given by GlenSample. The first service was in early 1950. She also headed thecomittee to raise $200,000 to add space to the rectory/parish house. *1950 His Birds of Florida on exhibit at the National Audubon Society inNYC during July *1951 Bought Continental Diamond and Fibre. From Jim BriggsOctober,1997. "Aunt Daisy lived here in PA - She owned, or her husbandowned, the paper company & had a factory in North Wales. It was calledKleen Products company. They made fiber spoons. And then, somehow orother, Tim (Murphy) bought the Beech & Arthur Paper Company inCoatesville. Then the combination of Beech & Arthur & Kleen Products acquired Continental Diamond Fiber Company in Newark,DE. They made the fiber to make the spoons. Also insullation and allkinds of shit like that. Aunt Daisy had a dreadful child - I can'tremember his name. He was a big guy." *1952 From the 25th July thru August 11th SF's bird photograhy was ondisplay at the Kodak Information Center in Grand Central Station Newyork. At this time he was Chairman of OMC and Continental Diamond &Fibre located in Wilmington,Del. They Made moulded plastic parts for theautomobile industry, electric apparatus and bullet proof vests for theMarines in Korea. *1952 In March went to Nassau for a meeting with Arthur Varmay and othermembers of the Society for the Protection of the Flamingos. MilwaukeeJournal 26 Oct 1952 Article on SF's bird photography. It mentions that his 40 minute film on flamingos was done during twotrips to Inagua in May 1952 and April 1951. He recently showed the filmin Caracas to the International Union for the Protection of Nature.(thisgroup is assisted by the UN) On Nov 18 the film will be presented to theNational Audubon Society annual meeting in NYC. Disney used footage ofthe flamingos in their natuarl history film "Wild Birds" Warner Brotherspurchased footage for use in "Distant Drums" with Gary Cooper. (Any moneyreceived from the sale of footage was donated to the National AudubonSociety) The trip to Inagua was rugged with problems of heat, bugs andsalt water. The mail boat delivered supplies once a week. Their were no roads that led to the flamingos so used army supply boats and alight skiff were the only means of transportation. They went as far aspossible in the army boats and then dragged them by hand over the coralreefs for 6-8 miles and waded the last mile to the flamingos. On thesecond trip a swampy buggy was used which made transportation a loteasier. The flock was around 3500 and was believed to be the largest offour known colonies. A complete report was done by Robert Allen, notedresearch associate for the Audubon Society. (Report in SFB ll library) Hedesigned and had built a special 16mm camera twin reflex with matched 6"cine ektar lens one for the picture and the other attached to agroundglass for focusing and composing. The lenses are interlocked foraccurate focusing. An article in the NY Journal mentioned that S.F.estimates he has photographed 40 different species of seven water birdsand failed once with the bird of paradise. From NY World Telegram 25July 1952 "The National Audubon Society rates him as one of the veryfinest bird photographers in the World" Spent summers at Pine Lake nearHartland, Wi. In August his photographs were exhibited by Kodak at GrandCentral Steation in NYC. At the time besides being with OMC he wasChairman of the Board of Continental Diamond & Fibre Co. who madedplastic parts including bullet proof vests for the Marines in Korea *1953 On November 4th Beatrice Branch Briggs was elected honararyDirector of Milwaukee children's Hospital. "For years of loyal devotionand service having madew an invaluable contribution" *1955 Whole family celebrated SFB 70th at Naples Beach Club Hotel *1956 On June 4 is awarded Doctor of Engineering by South Dakota StateCollege in Brookings, SD. In the introduction at the awards dinner itwas pointed out that his bird photography required special equipment tophotograph at a distance of 500-2000 ft. S.F. helped develop a 40" lensand a double lens camera so you could shoot thru one and sight tru theother. He also donated both equipment and pictures to his alma mater. OnApril 26th a classmate of SF's wrote him regarding their visit to Naplesand to offer his trimmed doctors gown for the ceramony. His name was Dr.R Adams Dutcher, professor at Penn State College. SF then wrote him aletter on May 1 "As much as I dislike dressing up in a KKK outfit, I sure would be grateful to you if you would send me thatsilk gown of yours. After the ceramony he wrote "Dutch" another letterdated June 18th. "Thanks a million for your telegram. The ceremony in theoutdoor theatre was quite impressive, although I still think it is a lotof hooey. I wore your gown and felt quite like a doctor. I sent it backto you from Brookins and hope it arrived in good shape. Will be lookingforward to seeing you next winter." Both SF and BBB were originalorganizers of Naples Community Hospital and BBB was its first President.Hospital opened eary this year. BBB was Head of the Board of Trustes for10 years. Christmas all the family including grandchildren came to Naples. *1957 Colier County News 24 Dec 1957 BEATRICE BRIGGS gives NightingaleApartments to the hospital valued at $400,000. 32 units located on 4th Ave S in Naples (torn down inFeb of 2001 for new luxury condos). She had the idea to build theNightingale Apts shortly after the hospital opened in March 1956. Earlierin the year she was reelected President of the Hospital Board and on Nov30th received the Collier County News trophy given annually to the person voted by theChamber of Commerce members to have done the most for the community. Shewas the 2nd recipiant of the Outstanding Citizen Award and the firstwoman. Miami Herald 24 Dec 1957 front page "Naples Woman Gives Gift toHospital" " Apartment will be an important asset to the hospital which receives nolocal,state or federal funds of any kind. The $700,000 investmentrepresented by the hospital and its facilities was entirely raised bypersonal donations. *1958 S.F. started his schlorships to S.D. State University and at thetime of his death had given more than $490,000. *1959 S.F. had Cory Osceola build his Seminole chickee at the boat houseusing cypress poles with a palm frond thatch. It was 76 feet long thelargest that Cory had ever built. In the spring of this year the BoatHouse burned to the ground and destroyed "Ungava" 65 feet along with "TheTayto" 35 feet. Estimated damage $500,000 *1960 After Hurrican Donna they became year round residents and wouldonly go back to Milwaukee for a few weeks staying at the MilwaukeeCountry Club. This year SF was invited to Midway Island by the U.S.Wildlife Service and the Navy to film "The Gonney Birds." It was hisbest known film and quite a bit of footage was purchased by Disney. TheNavy claimed they were a nuisance on the air strip and this was to be thelast record. The Wildlife Service convinced the Navy to move them 1000miles to Johnson Island. The birds had to be rounded up traquilized andmoved, They were then released on Johnson Island and by the time the crew had returned to Midway so had theGooney Birds. His favorite camera was the Hasselblad. Favorite bird theFairy Tern from Midway. Favorite Florida bird the Bald Eagle. He claimedthat there were more Bald Eagles in Henderson Creek than any other partof the World. On Feb 18th celebrated their Golden Anniversary with thewhole family at the Naples Beach Club Hotel. *1961 On October 21st S.F was honored by his alma mater, South DakotaState College as a distinguished Alumnus. *1962- S.F.B. belonged to the following Organizations National AudubonSociety, National Geograpic Society, British Royal Society of Art,Society of Automotive Engineers, Milwaukee Athletic Club, MilwaukeeCountry Club, Wisconsin Club, Naples Yacht Club *1963 Collier County News 18 April 1963 (paper was 16 pages) GovernorFarris Bryant at the City Council meeting on Wednesday night 17 Aprilpresented S.F. BRIGGS of OMC and Solana Studios a Certficate ofRecognition to his contribution for the industrial development of Naplesand Collier County. S.F. retired from Outboard Marine to spend fulltimein Naples. *1964 S.F.BRIGGS was Grand Marshall for the Miami International BoatShow with his new 46 foot boat powered by twin high performance dieselsbuilt by Allied Marine and sister ship to the Allied GX which held twoWorld speed records. (S.F. was 77!!) *1970 S.F set up an annual donation to S.D. State University of $40,000to provide 40 students with $1,000 schlorships. Also many of his stillphotographs were hanging throuout Collier County as anyone who made aresonable contribution to the hospital received one in return. Their were10 in each class *1973 He reduced his holdings in OMC from 23% to 12%. Most of his 1million shares were in trust for his family with a value of $33 million.The trusts were for his 3 children and 14 grandchildren. *1976 S.F. died 16 Oct living at 2700 Gordon Drive, Naples, Fl NaplesStar 22 Oct 1976 Obit "Mr Briggs or "Poppy" to his family ---has been characterized as a "real"person. A friend has remarked: "He cared as much for his caretacker as hedid for the President of the United States." An Alumnus of South DakotaState University, Mr Briggs for many years has given 40 scholarships peryear to the school. He once said; "I'm simply an alumnus investing inAmerican youth". Son of a pioneering family that came to the Dakotas ina covered wagon to found the city of Watertown, S.D., Mr Briggs exhibeted his genius through his inventions. He is credited with more than 100patents,many of which are still in use in automobiles and relatedindustries. He was 1st Commodore of the Naples Yacht Club. Served onCity Council after WW ll. A founder of Naples Community Hospital.Chairman of Continental Diamond and Fibre Co, and Chairman of Beach andArthur Paper Co, Member Electrical Mfg Assoc., Soc of AutomotiveEngineers, Royal Soc for encouragement of Arts, Manufacturing andCommerce National Audubon Soc., Photographic Soc of America, AmericanOrthonoligists. Miami Herald March 23, ?? "Ungava" 83ft motor sailer bought past autumnto replace "Sirena" a Mathis houseboat is off on a three month Carribeancruise. She carries a crew of five. Sources: Fortune July 1958 Family info SDS University files Now Magazine November 1979. Hist of Hospital The Founding of Naples Yacht Club 1947-1997 4/22/01