Daughter of a Methodist minister in Pennsylvania. Graduated from a seminary in 1860. After graduating she became a music teacher at the seminary of a Methodist Episcopal Church in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
The lyricist for the hymn "When the Saints Are Marching In", which was published In 1896 with music by James Milton Black. The song was later altered and published in 1927 as the better known "When The Saints Go Marching In".