She was a business woman who developed Dallas downtown after her husband died. After her husband died, she raised money for a new bridge after the existing one collapsed. She was a Texan business woman, known for her contributions to the economic and infrastructural development of the town of Dallas from 1858 until her death. At the time of her death she is reported to have owned approximately a quarter of what was then downtown Dallas and is said to have been one of Texas' first millionaires.