Livingston County MI Archives Biographies.....METCALF, Harvey  December 20, 1795 - March 28, 1878
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Linda Beals lindabeals@sbcglobal.net March 18, 2006, 6:18 pm

Author: History of Livingston County - Handy Twp.

Harvey Metcalf, the second white settler in the town of Handy, was born in 
Worthington, Mass., Dec. 20, 1795. After the death of his father, which occured 
when he was quite young, he found a home with his grandfather until he was 
fourteen, when the death of his grandfather left him without a home. He then 
lived among the farmers, working at whatever he could get to do and for what 
they chose to give him. Under such circumstances his chances for an education 
were necessarily very limited. He was drafted during the war of 1812, and 
served until his company was mustered out at the close of the war. Soon after 
his discharge he went to West Bloomfield, Ontario Co., N.Y., where he found 
employment on a farm. From there he went to Geneseo, Livingston Co., N.Y., and 
engaged in the livery business, which he followed for some time. But becoming 
satisfied that an old settled country like New York was a hard place for a poor 
man to get a start, be determined to go to a new State, where land was plenty, 
and cheap. In the spring of 1836, having sold out his business, he came to the 
town of Handy and bought of the government one hundred and sixty acres of land, 
for which be paid down. During the summer of 1836 he made a small improvement, 
sowed ten acres of wheat, and put up a log house. In the fall he returned to 
Geneseo for his family, whom he at once brought to the new home in the forest. 
At that time there was but one family in the town of Handy. The country around 
was entirely new save the small clearing made by Mr. Handy. There were no roads 
save Indian trails, while deer and all kinds of fish and game were abundant. 
The wolves made night hideous by their howling, although they were not a source 
of much danger. With the exception of the Handy family their only neighbors 
were the Indians, with whom they lived on friendly terms. Although everything 
was new and strange to them, and they endured many privations and hardships, 
still they were contented and happy. So says Mrs. Metcalf, who is still living, 
a hale and hearty old lady of nearly seventy. Under Mr. Metcalf's energy and 
industry the wilderness home was soon made to "blossom as a rose," and peace 
and plenty prevailed. At the first town-meeting held in the township Mr. 
Metcalf was elected road commissioner. But political offices were not to his 
taste, and he never held one by his own wish. In the schools of his town he 
always took an active interest, and was generally one of the school board. In 
politics Mr. Metcalf was first a Whig and then a Republican. He departed this 
life March 28, 1878, respected and esteemed by his neighbors and friends for 
his many good qualities.

     On the 9th day of June, 1831, he was married to Miss Eveline Adams, who 
was born in Geneseo, N.Y., March 26, 1810. She was the daughter of Amos and 
Elizabeth (Wright) Adams. There have been born to them the following-named 
children : Theron, born March 25, 1832; Amanda F., born Jan. 18, 1834; 
Angeline, born April 29, 1836; Adelaide, born Aug. 14, 1840; Edwin A., born 
June 27, 1844; Cornelia, born March 9, 1848, died June 19, 1872; and Emma L., 
born Sept. 5, 1851, died Jan. 17, 1878.

    


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