Colombian Exposition Covers

1892 & 1893 Colombian Exposition issue (#231)on cover from my hometown collection. Also some information about the author of the letters. All have original contents intact.



The letter translated:
Lock Haven, Pa., Wednesday 1893.

My dear little darling:
My work here is over, (11:00a.m.) I have placed my
first agency- sold one machine- & hope it may prove
good for the company. This is a small place on the
banks of the Susquehanna - Mud & slush up to your
neck. Very Mild- the ride from Williamsport this
morning was very interesting as we skirted the river
all the way up- there are some bad ice jams & if the
break it will make trouble about Williamsport - There
is one jam over 20 feet high about 10 miles above
Williamsport that the people are apprehensive
about.
I do miss you dreadfully already but try to keep a
stiff upper lip - as I am trying to make "pennies" for
you & Dorthy. I leave her at 4:15 for Bellefonte & will
try to get through there tonight if possible. Hope my
dear little daughter keeps well- do go out daily &
get as much exercise as it is possible to do. Hope
Maidie{?} is better. Write to Esther when you can an tell
her I enjoyed her hospitality, & thank them for me.
With love & kisses for dear daughter Dorthy & your
own precious self- & also to the family.
From your devoted husband.-
J. Taylor Skerrett







A quick Google search shows that the recipient is Joseph Taylor Skerrett of Philadelphia who worked on numerous engineering and construction projects. He married Frances Rebekah Williams and the really cool thing is that he is son of Rear Admiral Joseph Salathiel Skerrett (18 January 1833 - 1 January 1897), a very important person in the US Navy at the time.

I also have more on the various hotels but I'll save that for another time.