The Genius and Madness of America's First Female Tycoon

Ann Preston was a woman of many firsts. She was the first woman to own and operate a major railroad in the United States. She was the first woman to be elected to the board of directors of a major corporation. And she was the first woman to be inducted into the National Railroad Hall of Fame.

Hetty: The Genius and Madness of America's First Female Tycoon

by Charles Slack

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	445 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	215 pages

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Preston was born in 1813 in Pennsylvania. Her father was a successful businessman, and she grew up in a wealthy and privileged home. Preston was a bright and ambitious young woman, and she had a keen interest in business. She married young, but her husband died after only a few years of marriage. Preston was left a widow with two young children, and she had to find a way to support herself and her family.

Preston turned to business, and she quickly proved to be a natural entrepreneur. She started a small shipping company, and she soon expanded her business to include railroads. In 1869, she Free Downloadd the Oregon and California Railroad, which was one of the most important railroads in the Pacific Northwest. Preston was a shrewd businesswoman, and she quickly turned the railroad into a profitable enterprise. She expanded the railroad's lines, and she introduced new technologies that made the railroad more efficient.

Preston's success in business made her a wealthy woman, but it also made her a target for criticism. She was a woman in a man's world, and she was often accused of being ruthless and ambitious. Preston was also a strong-willed woman, and she was not afraid to speak her mind. She was a vocal advocate for women's rights, and she often clashed with the male-dominated business establishment.

In 1893, Preston's railroad empire collapsed. The Panic of 1893 caused a sharp decline in the railroad industry, and Preston's railroad was unable to weather the storm. Preston lost everything in the collapse of her railroad, and she was forced to start over again.

Preston was a resilient woman, and she did not give up on her dreams. She moved to California, and she started a new business venture. She founded the Pacific Electric Railway, which was one of the first electric railroads in the United States. Preston's new business venture was successful, and she once again became a wealthy woman.

Preston died in 1902 at the age of 89. She was a self-made woman who achieved great success in a man's world. She was a pioneer for women in business, and she left a lasting legacy in the Pacific Northwest.

Preston's Legacy

Preston's legacy is complex and multifaceted. She was a brilliant businesswoman who achieved great success in a male-dominated industry. She was also a strong-willed woman who was not afraid to speak her mind. Preston was a pioneer for women in business, and she left a lasting legacy in the Pacific Northwest.

Preston's story is a reminder that anything is possible if you have the determination and the drive to succeed. She is an inspiration to women and men alike, and her story is a testament to the power of the human spirit.

Additional Resources

• The Ann Preston website
• The HistoryLink.org essay on Ann Preston
• The Oregon Encyclopedia essay on Ann Preston

Hetty: The Genius and Madness of America's First Female Tycoon

by Charles Slack

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	445 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	215 pages

FREE