Harriet Williams Russell Strong was an American social activist, inventor, conservationist, and leading figure of the early woman's movement.
Background
Strong was born on July 23, 1844 in Buffalo, New York, United States. She was the fourth daughter of Henry Pierrepont and Mary Guest (Musier) Russell. Strong was educated by private teachers and at Young Ladies Seminary at Benicia, California. In 1852, in the hope of improving the health of their mother, who was threatened with invalidism, the family crossed the plains to California, but after living for a time in that state moved to Nevada, where the father served for a time as state adjutant-general.
Education
Harriet was educated by private teachers and in Miss Mary Atkins' Young Ladies Seminary in Benicia, California.
Career
After death of her husband she began a long and active career as horticulturist, engineer, and public citizen. On her ranch she planted 150 acres to walnut trees, being a pioneer in the walnut industry in California.
On December 6, 1887, she patented a design for a series of dams in river channels for the storage of water for irrigation and flood control and later, November 6, 1893, she secured a patent for impounding debris and water in hydraulic mining. For this invention she received two medals at the World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago, in 1893.
With her daughters she organized a water company and sank a number of artesian wells, but sold the enterprise after a few years. She subsequently sank several successful oil wells.
She met her death in an automobile accident on the way from Los Angeles to her ranch near Whittier.
Achievements
Harriet Williams Russell Strong is intimately connected with the development of irrigation, and she was among the first, if not the first, to advocate the conservation of water by building storage dams near the source of mountain streams. She was also one of the early advocates of the conservation of the flood waters of the Colorado River for irrigation, the safety of the Imperial Valley, and the development of hydro-electric power.
Besides, she was a founder of the Ebell Club and the Hamilton Club of Los Angeles, and for many years was first vicepresident of the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra.
Politics
She was a member of the Republican party and took an active part in its affairs, national as well as local.
Views
In addition to her business activities, she played an important part in the political, civic, and cultural life of California. She was vitally interested in the education of women, especially in that type of education which would enable them to care for their own economic interests and to meet the problems of the business world.
Personality
Quotes from others about the person
The editor of Southern California Business wrote of her: "For many years she was probably the most active figure among women in the entire Southland in civic work of every description".
Interests
Strong had considerable talent as a musical composer; she published a number of songs and a book of musical sketches, and for many years was vice president of the Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra Association.
Connections
On February 26, 1863, at Virginia City, Nevada, she married Charles Lyman Strong, then engaged as superintendent of the Gould & Curry Mining Company in exploiting the Comstock Lode. Four daughters were born of this union. In 1883 Strong committed suicide, leaving to his widow a considerable estate.
