Homer A. Metcalf Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1138-1139 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	HOMER A. METCALF, for twenty-two years a resident of South Dakota 
and since 1900 auditor of Roberts county, is a native of the dominion of 
Canada, born near the city of London, Ontario, on April 13, of the year 
1865, being one of eight children, three sons and five daughters, that 
constituted the family of Anthony and Catherine (Haley) Metcalf, the 
father of English birth, the mother of German-English descent, but born 
and reared in Canada. Anthony Metcalf, a carpenter by trade, and later a 
large and successful contractor, immigrated to South Dakota in 1881 and 
settled near Wilmot, Roberts county, where he engaged in farming, which 
vocation he followed until retiring from active life a few years ago and 
removing to the town of Wilmot. While following building he displayed 
great energy and acquired an honorable reputation as mechanic and 
contractor. He was also successful as an agriculturist, and is now 
enjoying the fruits of his many years of honest toil in the quiet, 
restful life, which only such busy men as he know how to appreciate 
fully. Mrs. Catherine Metcalf died in Roberts county in the month of 
March, 1887. 

	Homer A. Metcalf spent his childhood and youth on the family 
homestead near London, Canada, attended the public schools there until 
about his sixteenth year and in 1881 accompanied his parents to Roberts 
county, South Dakota, where he has since resided. He continued his 
studies for some time after coming to this state and when a young man 
engaged in teaching, which profession he followed of winter seasons for 
three years. He also pre-empted land, from which in due time he 
developed a good farm, and after retiring from educational work devoted 
his entire attention to agriculture until the fall of 1900, when he was 
elected by the Republican party to the office of county auditor. The 
better to discharge the duties of his office Mr. Metcalf turned his farm 
over to other hands and removed to the county seat, where he has since 
lived, having been chosen his own successor in the year 1902. 

	Mr. Metcalf has administered his office in an able and 
praiseworthy manner and his record since taking possession of the same 
has been eminently creditable to himself and an honor to the county. He 
keeps in close touch with public affairs, is active as a politician and 
has contributed much to the success of the Republican party in his 
section of the state. He retained his landed interests until quite 
recently, when-he disposed of the same, and is now prominently 
identified with the growth and development of Sisseton, encouraging all 
efforts making for the city's material prosperity and lending his 
influence to all enterprises having for their object the social, 
educational and moral advancement of the community. 

	On November 20, 1890, Mr. Metcalf entered the marriage relation 
with Miss Ella Frymire, of Canada, daughter of Philip Frymire, who moved 
some years ago to Roberts county, South Dakota, where the father is 
still living, her mother being deceased. Six children have been born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Metcalf, namely: Harold H., Donald C., Paul W., Ray C., 
Edith May and Winfield, all living and, with their parents, constituting 
a happy household. The religious belief of Mr. Metcalf is represented by 
the Methodist church, of which he has been a faithful and consistent 
member for a number of years. Mrs. Metcalf is also a Methodist, and with 
her husband belongs to the congregation worshiping at Sisseton.