Like her brothers she was educated in the public schools of Cleveland. At an early age she developed a talent for music which was fostered by her mother and was given all the advantages her means would allow. Being obliged by illness to leave school after a year's absence it was decided to send her to Chicago to begin her studies for a professional life as she refused absolutely the idea of becoming a school teacher. She lived a year there keeping house for her two brothers while pursuing her studies there. She went to Pittsburg (sic) and took care of herself the first year by obtaining the second-best church position in that city. There also she made her first appearance in opera "Norma," when a great future was predicted for her. After two years she went to New York and commenced at once her professional career, singing in concert, oratorio and opera with much success. But as life was not complete without a term of study in Europe, an opportunity was given her in 1889 to go to Paris, though she had to relinquish her position as soprano soloist of the 5th Ave. Cathedral, N.Y. She remained in Paris 2 1/2 years learning French and eighteen operas, when by the death of her father she was obliged to seek her living, so she turned towards London where she soon won recognition and joined the Carl Rosa Opera Company, in which she was very successful, as well as in concert and oratorio. Having lost her father, and her mother at the point of death, she left all her future and hurried home to ease the aching heart of a lone mother, thereby losing the promised goal of her life. She has remained in this country since making a name for herself in all branches of her art (Severance, B. Frank. Genealogy and biography of the descendants of Walter Stewart of Scotland and of John Stewart who came to America in 1718 and settled in Londonderry, N.H. Greenfield, Mass. : T. Morey & Son, 1905, pg. 148-149)
She recorded "The Pattison Waltz" on Feb. 25, 1889 for Thomas Edison at Menlo Park, N.J. The recording is available online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcJItJKNvUI among other places.
A photo of her appeared in the Oct. 23, 1898 N.Y. Times.