Prescott Metcalf
Encyclopedia
Prescott Metcalf was a prominent businessman and one of the first Republican
mayors of Erie, Pennsylvania
, a post he held from 1862 to 1864. His children were Joseph P. Metcalf, Windham W. Metcalf, Frederick Wilder Metcalf, Nellie Metcalf, and George Ralph Metcalf. One of thirteen children, Metcalf was born in Putney, Vermont
on 25 January 1813 Metcalf arrived in Erie in 1835.
His father was Joseph Metcalf b. 24 Aug 1774, Oakham, MA, d.27 Jan 1869, Putney, VT; his Grandfather was Sgt. Samuel Metcalf, a Continental Soldier, b. 26 April 1739, Rutland, MA; d. 13 June 1785, Oakham, MA
, with whom he became acquainted in 1840. The three were involved in the development and operation of the Erie Extension Canal. Metcalf held the title of director of the canal at one time and owned a fleet of canal boat
s labeled the P. M. Line, nicknamed by locals as the Poor Man's Line. He pioneered the establishment of the Erie and Pittsburgh
and Erie and North East railroads. He also helped to incorporate several manufacturing firms in Erie, including the Erie Gas Works and the Erie Malleable Iron Works. Metcalf was also able to get the Burdett Organ Company to relocate to Erie by building them a plant in 90 days and employing 120 persons. Metcalf developed commercial properties in central downtown Erie. Metcalf was on the board of the Park Presbyterian Church and the Erie Cemetery
(which he had helped incorporate). By 1860, Metcalf was a wealthy coal merchant and owned $
43,000 worth of property ($981,000 in today's money). Metcalf served as mayor of Erie from 1862 to 1864 and held no other political office after his term ended. He was initially a member of the Whig Party
, but switched to the Republican Party. Metcalf died in Erie on 14 October 1891.
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
mayors of Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city , with a population of 102,000...
, a post he held from 1862 to 1864. His children were Joseph P. Metcalf, Windham W. Metcalf, Frederick Wilder Metcalf, Nellie Metcalf, and George Ralph Metcalf. One of thirteen children, Metcalf was born in Putney, Vermont
Putney, Vermont
Putney is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,634 at the 2000 census.On December 26, 1753 Col.Josiah Willard led a proprietors' petition for a Putney charter which was issued by Governor Benning Wentworth of the New Hampshire Grants under King George II of England...
on 25 January 1813 Metcalf arrived in Erie in 1835.
His father was Joseph Metcalf b. 24 Aug 1774, Oakham, MA, d.27 Jan 1869, Putney, VT; his Grandfather was Sgt. Samuel Metcalf, a Continental Soldier, b. 26 April 1739, Rutland, MA; d. 13 June 1785, Oakham, MA
Business exploits
Metcalf was well known for his role as a lake traffic manager for the steamship businesses owned by Rufus S. Reed and Charles Manning ReedCharles Manning Reed
Charles Manning Reed was a Whig member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.Charles M. Reed was born in Erie, Pennsylvania. He was the grandson of the first settler of Erie, Seth Reed. He attended the public schools and was graduated from Washington College in Washington,...
, with whom he became acquainted in 1840. The three were involved in the development and operation of the Erie Extension Canal. Metcalf held the title of director of the canal at one time and owned a fleet of canal boat
Canal boat
There are three articles associated with canal watercraft:* The Volunteer - A replica 1848 canal boat docked on the Illinois and Michigan Canal at LaSalle, Illinois* Narrowboat - a specialized craft for operation in early narrow canals...
s labeled the P. M. Line, nicknamed by locals as the Poor Man's Line. He pioneered the establishment of the Erie and Pittsburgh
Erie and Pittsburgh Railroad
The Erie and Pittsburgh Railroad was a railroad based in Erie, Pennsylvania incorporated on 1 April 1858. Operations began in March 1860. It operated jointly with Buffalo and State Line Railroad from an indeterminate date until 28 February 1870, in connection with the latter's commitment, along...
and Erie and North East railroads. He also helped to incorporate several manufacturing firms in Erie, including the Erie Gas Works and the Erie Malleable Iron Works. Metcalf was also able to get the Burdett Organ Company to relocate to Erie by building them a plant in 90 days and employing 120 persons. Metcalf developed commercial properties in central downtown Erie. Metcalf was on the board of the Park Presbyterian Church and the Erie Cemetery
Erie Cemetery
Erie Cemetery is a prominent cemetery located in Erie, Pennsylvania. It is situated on of land bordered on the east by Chestnut Street, the west by Cherry Street, the north by 19th Street, and the south by 26th Street.- History :...
(which he had helped incorporate). By 1860, Metcalf was a wealthy coal merchant and owned $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
43,000 worth of property ($981,000 in today's money). Metcalf served as mayor of Erie from 1862 to 1864 and held no other political office after his term ended. He was initially a member of the Whig Party
Whig Party (United States)
The Whig Party was a political party of the United States during the era of Jacksonian democracy. Considered integral to the Second Party System and operating from the early 1830s to the mid-1850s, the party was formed in opposition to the policies of President Andrew Jackson and his Democratic...
, but switched to the Republican Party. Metcalf died in Erie on 14 October 1891.