[2] She lived several years in Tacoma, Washington, where she established a free reading room and circulating library for the young.

She was the author of various novels and occult stories, including Little Wolf; Uncle Nathan's Farm; The White Flame; and Why?

[3] Her first school composition, written when she was nine years of age, was a hit in the rural community where she lived and was printed in the local newspaper.

[2] Her husband encouraged her to write short articles for the press on religious and philanthropic subjects, even with the responsibilities of motherhood and her position as a pastor's wife upon her.

So many desperate women in the church confided to her their troubles with drinking husbands and sons that Cornelius became interested in the temperance cause, joining the W.C.T.U.

[2] By 1893,[2] Cornelius removed from Arkansas to Topeka, Kansas that she might have the benefit of woman's suffrage in her temperance work.

[4] Still later, Cornelius removed to Tacoma, Washington,[3] carrying the temperance message by means of the Keeley Treatment.

Realizing that prevention was better than cure, she established a free reading room for boys, which became a favorite place for many of the men and women in the neighborhood.

Many of the books had been discarded by the public library as too worn for further service, and patched up and repaired by Cornelius for her reading room.

It was a veritable club, where members could find recreation and improvement, and gain wisdom and courage for the responsibilities of life.

[4] Cornelius wrote four books: the first, Little Wolf, in the interest of temperance; the second, Uncle Nathan's Farm, to promote tolerance; the third, The White Flame, to emphasize God's love for the world.