Stringham, B. H. (Briant H.), 1889-1983

Utah stockman, politician, conservationist.

Briant H. Stringham, also known as "Bry" or "B.H.," was born in April of 1889 to Philip and Caroline Stringham in Ashley Valley (near Vernal), Utah. As a young man, he attended BYU where he studied education, but after a brief teaching career he returned to his beloved Vernal to pursue sheep-ranching with his brother. This change of career led to success for Briant in the world of business where he not only raised and traded livestock, but also worked as the president of Hotel Vernal for eighteen years. The leadership skills and professional connections Briant acquired during this period would later benefit him as he served four terms as a legislator in the Utah House of Representatives, two terms as a state senator, and four terms as mayor of Vernal. Briant was an ardent advocate of conservation and land reclamation in the West, and both during and after his public service, he played an important role in the passage of such legislation as the Taylor Grazing Act and the development of the Colorado River Storage Project.

Briant H. Stringham, also known throughout his life as "Bry" or "B.H.," was born in April of 1889 to Philip and Caroline Stringham in Ashley Valley (near Vernal), Utah Territory. As a young man, he attended BYU where he studied education, but after a brief teaching career he returned to his beloved Vernal to pursue sheep-ranching with his brother. This change of career led to success for Briant in the world of business where he not only raised and traded livestock, but also worked as the president of Hotel Vernal for eighteen years. The leadership skills and professional connections Briant acquired during this period would later benefit him as he served four terms as a legislator in the Utah House of Representatives, two terms as a state senator, and four terms as mayor of Vernal. Briant was an ardent advocate of conservation and land reclamation in the West, and both during and after his public service, he played an important role in the passage of such legislation as the Taylor Grazing Act and the development of the Colorado River Storage Project.

Stockman, conservationist, and reclamation advocate, B. H. "Bry" Stringham was born in the Ashley Valley (Vernal) of Utah Territory on April, 1889 to Philip and Caroline Crouch Stringham. As biographer L. Don LeFerve remarked, "though his birth went all but unnoticed" by those outside his immediate family, Bry's life-time accomplishments and leadership would one day "leave a significant mark on the community, the valley, and the state" in which he lived.

B. H. Stringham received his early education from the LDS Church operated Uinta Stake Academy at Vernal. Afterward he attended Brigham Young University in Provo. There he trained for a teaching position and, graduating in 1912, accepted a post in Storrs, Utah. He spent three years in this small Carbon County mining town. At the end of this tenure, he returned to the Ashley Valley to join his brother in the sheep business. Vernal became his permanent residence and stock raising his life-long career.

His chosen vocation did not restrict his other interests, however. He devoted much of his life to public service. His political achievement include four terms as a legislator in the Utah House of Representatives, two terms as state senator and four terms as mayor of Vernal.

Stringham's civic contributions were not limited to elected offices. He was a member of the Board of Trustees for Utah State University; a member of the Board of Regents for the University of Utah; a member of the Board of Directors for the Utah State University Development Fund; and a member of the Vernal Lions Club and the Vernal Rod and Gun Club.

In addition, he was President, Vice-President, and Director of the Utah Wool Grower's Association; Chairman of the Bureau of Land Management's State Advisory Board; a member of the Bureau of Land Management's National Advisory Board; and a member of the Board of Directors, Central Utah Water Conservancy District.

As a conservationist, B. H. Stringham aided in the passage of the Taylor Grazing Act legislation and other national grazing laws. His cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management facilitated the construction of fourteen stock-watering reservoirs on the range land of northeastern Utah. Overall his contribution to range improvement programs in Utah merited him the Bridger Award, an honor bestowed by Utah State University for outstanding work in the field of conservation.

As an advocate of reclamation in the West; B. H. Stringham was instrumental in the development of the monumental Colorado River Storage Project. He also played a significant role in the development of the Central Utah Project, and offered his assistance to the plans of such groups as the Colorado River Development Association, the Central Utah Water Conservancy District, the Upper Colorado River Commission, the Colorado River Water Users Association, the Uinta Water Conservancy District, and the Utah Water and Power Board.

On March 30, 1908, B. H. Stringham married Delpha Rolfe, but the marriage quickly ended in divorce. He later married Catherine Chipman of American Fork, Utah, in 1912. Their marriage of fifty-three years ended with her sudden death in 1965. In 1966, he remarried to Lottie Ward Hickenlooper. He passed away on July 13, 1983 at the age of ninety-four.