Nelson R. Strong

Nelson "Nat" R. Strong (February 11, 1862 – February 26, 1930) was an American politician.

Nelson R. Strong
1st Mayor of Port Arthur
In office May 1898 – September 1899
Preceded by	office established
Succeeded by	Charles Eugene Smith
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 55th district
In office January 8, 1929 – February 26, 1930
Preceded by	Robert Milton Johnson
Succeeded by	Cora Gray Strong
Personal details
Born	(1862-02-11)February 11, 1862 Illinois
Died	February 26, 1930(1930-02-26) (aged 68) Palestine, Texas
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Cora Gray Strong

Strong was born on February 11, 1862, in Illinois and later arrived in Port Arthur, Texas, in 1896 where he served as a founding developer, became its first postmaster, and the first mayor of Port Arthur,^[1] between 1898 and 1899.^[2]

Personal life

He married Cora Gray Strong in 1905, and the couple settled in her hometown of Slocum, Texas.^[1]

Political career

Strong was elected as Port Arthur's first mayor upon the town's incorporation in May 1898. Incidentally as recalled by early Port Arthur dignitaries, Strong was declared the winner by one vote in the final tabulation after an error that occurred when R.H. Woodworth, who later became the city's third mayor, accidentally dropped a cashier check instead of his ballot into the voting box. Strong resigned as mayor in September 1899.^[3]

Nelson Strong was elected to Texas House of Representatives in 1928, and held the District 55 seat as a Democrat from 8 January 1929 until his death on 26 February 1930.^[4] Strong's wife succeeded him as a state representative.

See also

• List of mayors of Port Arthur, Texas