Harriet Augusta Prunk

Harriet Augusta Prunk ( Smith; 1840–1911) was an American reader, educator, and school principal who founded the Indiana Boston School of Elocution and Expression. For many years, Prunk was prominent in Indianapolis, Indiana as a reader and instructor; hundreds of people on the professional stage and in other lines where speaking is employed were her pupils. During her long association with educational movements, she was well known throughout the U.S.

Career The public first appearance of Prunk in a professional capacity was in the Grand Opera House, Indianapolis, in October 1878. Her second appearance was in Tremont Temple, Boston, May 19, 1879, before a large assembly. Her reception was an ovation, and the press of Boston praised her performance. Thereafter, she appeared in public on many occasions, but principally in Indianapolis. Her work was endorsed by William E. Sheldon, editor of New England Journal of Education; Right Rev. David Buel Knickerbacker, Bishop of Indiana; Rev. Edward Bradley, of New York City; Rev. Dr. Cleveland, of Indianapolis; Rev. Dr. Haines of Indianapolis, and others.

Personal life On March 30, 1858, she married Daniel Hammond Prunk. Their children were: Frank Howard, born at Princeton, Illinois, March 14, 1860; Harry Clayton, born at Indianapolis, August 17, 1861, and Byron Fletcher, born at Indianapolis, December 20, 1866.