For a time, she edited the temperance paper known as Der Bahnbrecher, besides writing several books published in the English language, including The Man-Trap (Toronto), a temperance story; Clara Burton (Cincinnati), a story for girls; and The Christmas Tree (Cincinnati), a description of domestic life in Germany.

About the same time, Professor Hedderich was elected to one of the principal professorships in the University of Heidelberg There, in a Froebel kindergarten, Skelton began her studies.

[1] An uncle received Skelton as a legacy from the dying mother, and, after settling up the family affairs, removed his charge and her brother to his home in Canada.

[5] Soon after, the son, showing signs of pulmonary disease, accompanied his mother to southern California, hoping to find health.

In that capacity, she traveled all over the United States, lecturing in both English and German, and leaving behind her local unions of well-organized women.

For a time, she conducted the temperance paper known as Der Bahnbrecher (The Pioneer),[6] Skelton's most popular books were Eastertide, A Man Trap, The Fatal Inheritance, Home Life in Canada, The Christmas Tree, Lily Orme, and Grace Morton.