For
Muscatine County Iowa
1911
| Biographies For Muscatine County Iowa 1911 | |
Source: History of Muscatine County Iowa, Volume II, Biographical, 1911, page 252
HARVEY L. METCALF. Harvey L. Metcalf, one of the public-spirited, progressive and representative citizens of Muscatine county, is devoting his time and energies to general agricultural pursuits, being the owner of a productive farm of one hundred and twenty acres on section 33, Wapsinonoc township. His birth occurred in Sandusky county, Ohio, on the 27th of September, 1855, his parents being Reuben and Malissa ( Laughlin ) Metcalf, who were natives of England and Pennsylvania respectively. When a lad of nine years the father accompanied his parents on their emigration to the United States, the family home being established in Sandusky county, Ohio. He wedded Miss Malissa Laughlin in 1852 and continued to reside in Sandusky county until 1858, which year witnessed his arrival in Muscatine county, Iowa. Purchasing a tract of forty acres of land, he located thereon and during the remainder of his active business career devoted his attention to the tilling of the soil. His demise, which occurred in August, 1887, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret, for his life had ever been such as to command admiration and respect. His widow, who has attained the age of seventy-eight years, now makes her home in South Dakota. Unto them were born six children, as follows: Eva, who died in infancy; Harvey L., of this review; Hattie, the wife of G. W. Ripley, of South Dakota; James, who passed away when twenty-one years of age; B. L., who is a resident of Pike township, Muscatine county; and Nettie, the wife of Elmer Hankins of South Dakota.Harvey L. Metcalf, who was but three years of age when brought by his parents to Muscatine county, has resided within its borders continuously since, with the exception of four years. He attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education and remained under the parental roof until twenty-three years of age, when he was married and established a home of his own, settling on the farm in Wapsinonoc township, which has remained his place of abode to the present time. The property at that time embraced eighty acres and was in possession of his uncle, James Metcalf, whose tenant he remained for three years. On the expiration of that period he bought the farm and has since extended its boundaries by additional purchase until it now comprises one hundred and twenty acres. The fields have been brought under a high state of cultivation and annually yield golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor which is bestowed upon them. The farm is well improved in every particular and Mr. Metcalf derives therefrom a gratifying income.
On the 2d of April, 1878, Mr. Metcalf was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary P. Heath, a daughter of Peter and Susan ( Gibson ) Heath, who were born in New Jersey and Ohio, respectively. Mrs. Metcalf was the oldest in a family of ten children, the others being as follows: Joseph A. and Henry N., who are residents of West Liberty; Charles G., living in Johnson county, Iowa; Flora L., who is deceased; John E., who makes his home in this county; William, who has passed away; Richard, who died in infancy; and Hattie and Martha, who are also deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Metcalf have been born seven children, namely: Laura Belle, the wife of James Rowley, of Oklahoma; George E., a resident of South Dakota; Edna L., who is the wife of James Hillyer, of Nichols, Muscatine county; Hattie V., who gave her hand in marriage to John Hintz and likewise resides in Nichols, this county; Charles H., also of Nichols, Muscatine county; Alice, who died in infancy; and Lola May, a young lady of eighteen, who is at home with her parents.
Mr. Metcalf is a democrat in politics but not an office seeker in the usually accepted sense of the term. He has been president of the Farmers Institute for one year and has done effective service for the cause of education as a school director. Indeed, any measure looking toward public advancement and improvement receives his hearty support. In connection with his farming interests he ably discharges the duties devolving upon him as president of the telephone system. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian church, to which his wife and children also belong. That his life has been well spent is indicated in the fact that many of his stanchest friends are those who have known him from his boyhood to the present time.
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