Charles Franklin Metcalf

METCALF

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 5/4/2010 at 09:41:08

Charles Franklin Metcalf, who owns a substantial home in Madrid, of which city he has been a resident for many years, is at present street commissioner. He is respected and esteemed by all who know him and stands high in the community. Born in Jefferson county, Indiana March 20, 1857, he is a son of Charles and Sophia (Hardenbrook) Metcalf, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Madison, Indiana. The father died in the Hoosier state in 1875 the Metcalf family having removed form Kentucky to Indian. Mrs Metcalf, who was born in 1841, now resides in Marshalltown, Iowa. Ehy had two children of whom Charles Franklin of this review is the elder. His sister Mrs Flora VanCleave, who was born in Jefferson county, Indian died in Salina, Kansas.
Charles F Metcalf came with his parents to Iowa in 1867 by the overland route, the family locating on a farm near Minburn in Dallas county. Wile he gave some attention to farming, he also devoted a number of years to the livery business, in which he was successful, and also undertook threshing for other farmers. The father had purchased a farm near Minburn, but in 1872 the son returned to Indiana, where he was engaged in logging for about three years. In 1875 he again came to Iowa and has since continuously resided in this state. He and his wife own a well furnished home in Madrid, provided with every convenience. Mrs Metcalf enjoys a statewide reputation for her excellent cooking and the large number of people who are entertained at the Metcalf home and partake of her table attest to her popularity and ability. Both Mr and Mrs Metcalf are industrious people and have acquired a position of financial independence by quietly persevering I their pursuits. The have secured a competency through their own efforts by following the long established motto of doing well everything they undertake to do. They have acquired a host of friends, all of whom appreciate them for their high qualities of character.
On March 15, 1882, Mr Metcalf was married Minburn, Iowa to Miss Mahala Minerva Harmon, who was born in Canada, November 7, 1863, but removed to Illinois with her mother when a child of two years, in 1865, settlement being made at Somonauk. Her parents were Elias and Anna Maria (Lambkin) Harmon, the former born near Montreal, Canada, May 6, 1830, and the latter December 28, 1834. The father died June 26, 1869, his widow surviving ho for many years. Her death occurred North Dakota, October 10, 1912. In their family were the following children: Matilda Jane who was born January 7, 1756, and died March 7, 1860, Mrs Mary Hannah Shaffer, born August 17, 1857, now a resident of Joliet, Illinois, John Sylvester born August 4, 1859, who makes his home in Boston, Massachusetts, Mrs Delilah Jane States, born June 15, 1861, who resides in Crosby , North Dakota, Mrs Charles Franklin Metcalf, Josiah Brien, born September 10, 1865, who resides at Pocahontas, Iowa, and Mrs Ida Lilly Stodbraker, who was born November 20, 1867, and lives in Chicago, Illinois.
Of the five children born to Mr and Mrs Metcalf the two oldest are natives of Dallas county and three younger of Boone county. They are: Mrs Mabel Holliday, born February 6, 1884, residing in Polk county, Harry S whose birth occurred November 10, 1866 and who resides in Madrid, Mrs Grace Slade, born December 28, 1888 of Omaha, Nebraska, Maude born October 5, 1889, a school teacher of Polk county, and Cyrus who was born February 18, 1894, and is employed as a bridge worker in Iowa by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St Paul Railway. These children were reared in Boone county, all receiving a common school education, while Maude Metcalf graduated form the Madrid high school. Politically Mr Metcalf is a republican. He has always taken a lively interest in the progress of his city and is at present efficiently serving as street commissioner of Madrid.

1914 Boone County History Book