Norfolk County MA Archives Biographies.....Metcalf, Luther 1788 - 1879
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Author: E. O. Jameson (1886)

   LUTHER METCALF, son of Major Luther and Mercy (Whiting) Metcalf, was born May
2, 1788, in Medway, Mass. After receiving his education in the local schools and
at Day's Academy in Wrentham, Mr. Metcalf learned and worked at his father's
trade of cabinet making until he was of age. In 1812 he began the business of
making cotton machineiy with John Blackburn. They made, by contract with Patrick
T. Jackson and Francis C. Lowell, the first cotton machinery used in the Waltham
cotton manufactory, and supplied mills in Lowell and other places. Mr. Metcalf
afterwards became a manufacturer of cotton goods, a large owner in and agent of
the Medway Cotton Manufacturing Company, which was the first incorporated
company for the manufacture of cotton goods in Massachusetts. This corporation
existed until 1864. He was elected in 1821, a director in the Norfolk Mutual
Fire Insurance Company; he acted as agent and director until 1877. He was also
at one time president of the company. During several years he was director of
the Dedham bank; he was town clerk, collector, and treasurer for several years;
and served eleven years on the school committee, and was the chairman of the
board. In 1837 he represented the town in the House of Representatives, and in
1844 and 1845 he was a member of the Senate. Until 1856 he adhered to the
fortunes of the Whig party, but in that year he voted for Fremont, and
afterwards with the Republican party. He never missed voting in a Presidential
election during his lifetime, and voted sixty-nine times for governor. He was
appointed in 1830, a Justice of the Peace and Quorum by Governor Lincoln, and
held a court for civil cases. Mr. Metcalf was one of the first to advocate a
railroad from Boston to the valley of the Blackstone. The first meeting to
promote this object was held in Medway, Nov. 30, 1837. Welcome Farnum, Dr.
Ballou, Willis Cook, the Hon. Latimer W. Ballou, and Edward Harris, were early
associated with him in this enterprise, which resulted in the present New York
and New England Railroad. He was the first President of the Charles River
Rail-road, and broke ground with spade in hand to construct this link of the
"Air Line," July 4, 1854. In 1S3S he was very active and influential in the
erection of the Village Church and the formation of a religious society, and
suggested the calling and settlement of the Rev. David Sanford.

   Before the days of railroads, no man was better known upon the highway
between Medway and Boston than Mr. Metcalf. For nearly thirty years, in the same
sulky in summer and the same cutter in winter, he passed over the road, in all
something like a thousand times, and made the old Lamb Tavern, Washington Coffee
House, or the Bromfield House, his head-quarters. He was a man of fixed habits
and methods, and of great persistence of character, enjoying always remarkably
good health. Regular and temperate in his habits, he rose and retired early, to
which facts may be attributed the clearness of his faculties to the end of life.
Some two years before his death he became a member of the Village Church. During
the last year of his life he celebrated with his second wife the golden
anniversary of their marriage. Mr. Metcalf reached a remarkable age, and his
faculties were wonderfully preserved. The immediate cause of his death was an
accidental fall by making a misstep. He died Feb. 16, 1879, being more than
ninety years of age. His wife, two sons, and a daughter survive him. His death
occurred early on Sunday evening, and his funeral was solemnized at the
Congregational Church Wednesday afternoon, and a large concourse of friends and
relatives attended to pay their last respects to this venerable man. The
services were conducted by the pastor of the church, the Rev. R. K. Harlow, who
was assisted by the Rev. E. O. Jameson, of East Medway, and the Rev. A. W. Ide,
of West Medway. Mr. Harlow preached the sermon, and paid a high tribute to the
deceased. The singing was of a special character, and the floral decorations
profuse. The burial was in the family lot in Oakland Cemetery.


Additional Comments:
From:

THE BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PROMINENT PERSONS, AND The Genealogical Records 
OF MANY EARLY AND OTHER FAMILIES 
IN MEDWAY, MASS. 1713-1886.

Illustrated
WITH NUMEROUS STEEL AND WOOD ENGRAVINGS.

BY
E. O. JAMESON,

THE AUTHOR OK "THE COGSWELLS IN AMERICA," "THE HISTORY OF MEDWAY, MASS.." ETC.

MILLIS, MASS. 1886.

 Copyright, 1886.

E. O. JAMESON, MILLIS, MASS.

All Rights Reserved.

J. A. & R. A. REID, PRINTERS, PROVIDENCE, R. I.


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