Woman of the Century/Clara Harrison Stranahan

STRANAHAN, Mrs. Clara Harrison, author, was born in Westfield, Mass. Her maiden name was Harrison In her early childhood her father took his family to northern Ohio for a period of five years, from 1836 to 1841, and there his children had the benefit of the excellent schools of that country. Clara afterwards received the advantages of the personal influence of both Mary Lyon and Emma Willard in her education, spending one year in Mount Holyoke Seminary, going thence to the Troy Female Seminary, where she completed the higher course of study instituted by Mrs. Willard. She had shown some power with her pen, and as early as her graduation from the Troy Seminary some of her productions were selected for publication. CLARA HARRISON STRANAHAN. She has since published some fugitive articles, a poem or a monograph, as "The Influence of the Medici," in the "National Quarterly Review," December, 1863. Her crowning work is "A History of French Fainting from its Earliest to its Latest Practice " (New York, 1888). She became the wife of Hon. J. S. T. Stranahan, of Brooklyn, N. Y., in July, 1870. Mrs. Stranahan inherits the qualities, as she does the physiognomy, of the old New England stock from which she is descended. Energy in the pursuit of her aims, and elevation of aim, with a strong sense of justice and an earnest patriotism, are as marked in her as in the "builders" of New England. This is shown in her interest in and knowledge of the affairs of the Commonwealth. Whatever she may have done for the French in her history, or for the great army of the poor by her intelligent and practical benevolence of many years, or for education in her constant promotion of its interests, it is not among the least of her satisfactions that her husband is a sturdy supporter of all the patriotic movements of his city and country, as well as an efficient helper of all projects of progress. Passing from the State legislature to the United States Congress, he has served as member of both the conventions that nominated Lincoln for President, and as elector-at-large in the college that placed Benjamin Harrison in that office. In his municipal relations he has been honored by his compatriots under the title of "First Citizen of Brooklyn" with a bronze statue of heroic size, erected while he yet lived, 6th June, 1891.