Biographical Sketch of

Theopholis F. Metcalf

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou



Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 597 - 598 - 599 


Hon. Theopholis F. Metcalf, who is engaged in general farming and stock raising on section 26 in the town of 
Marion, is one of the most prominent citizens of Waushara County, but has been inseparably connected with 
its upbuilding and advancement.  Few if any have done more for its best interests than he, and this volume 
would be incomplete without a sketch of his life.  He was born in Ireland on the 10th of May, 1816, and is 
the son of William and Martha (Metcalf) Metcalf.  Although the parents were of the same name they belonged 
to entirely different families.  When our subject was a lad of two years, they crossed the broad Atlantic 
and with their children settled in Elgin County, in Upper Canada, where they spent their last days.  Their 
family consisted of Francis H., who died in Toronto; John, Edward and Henry, who are now deceased; William, 
a farmer of Chehalis County. Wash; Theopholis of this sketch; Catherine, wife of Alexander Summors, is now 
deceased; Eliza is the deceased wife of Dan Burgess; Isabella is the widow of Thomas Godwin; and Jane is 
the wife of Mr. Burgess of Kansas.
 
Without capital save energy, industry and determination to succeed, our subject has made his own way in the 
world and may truly be called a self-made man.  He had not even the advantages of a good common-school 
education, for the family on their arrival in Canada settled in a wild region entirely destitute of educational 
privileges, so that experience has been his only teacher.  In 1835, at the age of nineteen years, he left the 
parental roof to seek a home elsewhere, going to Michigan, he hired out as a teamster, hauling goods from 
Detroit to Muskegon, by way of Grand Rapids.  On one of those trips he arrived at the latter place and having 
to wait the building of a raft, he at length shipped the goods to Grand Haven where he met the brother of the 
man by whom he was employed.  Together they drove up the lake on the ice and made their way to the new cabin 
of Mr. Wheelock, they being the first white settlers in that portion of Michigan, where our subject remained 
until 1837.  For two and a half years he worked for $26 per month, but as the company failed and was unable 
longer to pay him, he went to Grand Rapids, where he was engaged to clean and change the channel of the Grand 
River.  It had become so cold that the water was freezing ere he quit that employment.  In November, 1838, he 
was paid in wild cat money and in December obtained a position to cut wood at fifty cents per cord.  Later he 
worked upon the railroad and from Detroit went to Lyonsdale, where he worked at $16 per month.  Again his 
employers failed and he was unable to collect the meager sum which was to have been paid him.  He had but 
little money and was the only one of the party that had any capital at all.  Going to Jacksonburg, he remained 
at the tavern over night and the next morning he and three of his comrades got a position of fifty cents per 
day.  Later he again worked upon the railroad and again lost all his money, after which he returned to Muskegon 
and engaged in getting out staves and hoop poles.  Having in that way acquired some capital, in 1839 he went to 
Chicago and on to Dresden, Ill., where he went to work making and repairing wheelbarrows, which occupation he 
followed until July of the following year, when he went to Indiana with the intention on buying stock to ship 
to Chicago and engage as a stock dealer in that city, but on his arrival in the Hoosier State he procured work 
as a harvest hand and while thus employed was taken sick with typhoid fever.  His illness was of such long 
duration that it exhausted all his money and when he again reached Chicago, he had only fifty cents remaining.  
He at last secured a farm which he was to operate on the shares and again prosperity attended him for a time.  
In the winter of 1840, Mr. Metcalf split 5,500 rails, receiving as his compensation 62 1/2 cents per 100 and 
his board.  This proved a profitable investment of his time and labor and in the following spring he embarked 
in the manufacture of shingles, making 12,000 during a season.  In July he again engaged in harvesting and in 
the fall began oak planing remaining in charge of a sawmill until 1843.
 
One of the most important events in the life of Mr. Metcalf occurred about this time.  Believing it not good for 
a man to be alone, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah C. Palmeter, daughter of Ebnezer and Lois Palmeter, 
who were natives of Oneida County, N. Y., whence they removed to Herkimer County, where Mrs. Metcalf was born 
Jan. 17, 1824.  The family afterward emigrated to Michigan and subsequently to Lake County, Ill., where the 
parents passed their last days.
 
The wedding of the young couple was celebrated March 23, 1843.  Mr. Metcalf was then engaged in operating a 
sawmill and made the lumber used in the erection of his house and the construction of the furniture.  The 
following year he embarked in farming, which occupation he has since followed with excellent success.  Removing 
from Lake County, he sought a home in Wisconsin.  In the month of May, 1849, loading his household effects into 
a wagon, with his wife and two children he journeyed until reaching Winnebago County, where he left his family 
while he continued his search for a suitable location.  In his travels he found no more pleasing section than 
Waushara County, and delighted with the land, the climate and the future prospects, he made a claim on what is 
now section 26, in the town of Marion, staking out 160 acres in which he erected a log cabin 11x13 feet.  When 
his preparations were completed he brought his wife and children to the new home, they being formally installed 
in that pioneer residence on the 19th day of November.  The following spring a frame addition was built to the 
cabin.  Under its protecting roof their children were reared and married.  The two eldest were born in Lake County, 
Ill., and accompanied their parents to Waushara County.  Isabella, the first born, is now the wife of Thomas 
Patterson, a miller of Pine River, Wis.; Adelia is the wife of Thomas Hamilton, a shoe dealer of Berlin.  The 
family circle was completed by the birth of Frank T., born on the old homestead May 22, 1855.  His entire life 
has there been passed and he is now operating the farm for his father.  He was joined in wedlock with Mary 
Moriarty, and they have a daughter, Katie B.
 
Although many are the reverses which Mr. Metcalf has encountered in his business career, he has overcome all 
opposition, surmounted the obstacles in his path and worked his way upward until he is now numbered among the 
substantial citizens of the county.  The boundaries of his farm have been extended until it now comprises 328 
acres of valuable land under a high state of cultivation.  He has also made many excellent improvements, has 
erected all the necessary building and keeps a splendid grade of stock.  In 1876, the pioneer cabin in which 
so many happy days were passed and which witnessed their struggles for a foothold and their efforts to overcome 
the disadvantages of frontier life, was torn down and replaced by an elegant frame residence.  Many beautiful 
features have been added to their home and surrounded by all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life.  
Mr. Metcalf and his estimable wife expect there to spend their last days.  Great indeed has been the change 
during the forty years of their residence upon that farm.  On their arrival Indian wigwams still dotted the 
prairies, the land was yet in its primitive condition and the forests stood in their native grandeur.  Few men 
have done more for the upbuilding of the county and its growth and prosperity, than our subject, and scarcely 
another early settler that does not take to himself more credit for its advanced position.  He is quiet and 
unassuming in manner, content to do his duty without the praise of men.  To his children he has given the best 
advantages within his power.  Feeling the great disadvantage in which he was placed by his lack of education, 
he would not allow them to suffer the same impediment but provided them with excellent school privileges and 
all three of his children became successful teachers of the county.
 
Mr. Metcalf, in his usual generous manner, attributes the greater part of his success to his wife, who indeed 
has been to him a true helpmate.  Together they labored on when days were dark, and when the sun of prosperity 
shone upon them.  They shared with each other the sorrows and pleasures of life, and the years but served to 
deepen the love which drew them together more than forty-three years ago.  They are now passing down the hill 
of time, but in their old age they can look back over the days that are passed and gone with no regret for 
opportunities wasted and time unhonorably spent.  In looking forward to the future it is with a strong and 
well founded faith that when this life shall have ended they can trust themselves to the promises of the Master.  
They have been members of the Methodist Church for many years and have ever been found among its most faithful 
workers.  The cause of temperance has also enlisted their warmest sympathy and support.
 
As a citizen, Mr. Metcalf is loyal and in various official positions has faithfully served his constituents.  
He was one of three who cast a vote for abolition in Lake County, Ill., just after that party had been organized 
and with all his power he fought the slavery traffic.  He was one of the delegates which met in convention to 
establish the Republican party and made opposition to slavery one of its strongest planks.  That party has no 
more faithful advocate.  For eighteen years he was Chairman of the town board and in 1875, represented his 
district in the Legislature.  Surely this history should encourage young men who have met reverses to renewed 
effort, for with no special advantages and without one dollar capital, Mr. Metcalf has made himself a prosperous 
citizen and molded a character well worthy of emulation.






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