Prescott Metcalf (January 25, 1813 – October 14, 1891) was a prominent businessman and the 8th mayor of Erie, Pennsylvania. He was one of the first

Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

mayors In many countries, a mayor is the highest-ranking official in a Municipal corporation, municipal government such as that of a city or a town. Worldwide, there is a wide variance in local laws and customs regarding the powers and responsibilities ...

Erie, Pennsylvania Erie (; ) is a city on the south shore of Lake Erie and the county seat of Erie County, Pennsylvania, United States. Erie is the fifth largest city in Pennsylvania and the largest city in Northwestern Pennsylvania with a population of 94,831 a ...

, a post he held from 1862 to 1864. His children were Joseph P. Metcalf, (1847–1901); Windham Wilder Metcalf, (1847–1851); Frederick Wilder Metcalf, (d. 1890); Nellie Metcalf, (d. 1856); and George Ralph Metcalf, (1858–1931). One of thirteen children, Metcalf was born in

Putney, Vermont Putney is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,617 at the 2020 census. The town's historic core makes up the Putney Village Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Histo ...

. He arrived in Erie in 1835. Mecalf's father was Joseph Metcalf (24 August 1774 in Oakham, MA – 27 January 1869 in Putney, VT) and his grandfather was Sgt. Samuel Metcalf (26 April 1739 in Rutland, MA – 13 June 1785, Oakham, MA) a Continental soldier

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 Reed Charles Manning Reed (April 3, 1803 – December 16, 1871) 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. H ...

, 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 boats Canals or artificial waterways are waterways or engineered channels built for drainage management (e.g. flood control and irrigation) or for conveyancing water transport vehicles (e.g. water taxi). They carry free, calm surface flow un ...

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 Erie Cemetery is a historic rural 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 The cemete ...

(which he had helped incorporate). By 1860, Metcalf was a wealthy

coal merchant Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock, formed as rock strata called coal seams. Coal is mostly carbon with variable amounts of other elements, chiefly hydrogen, sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen. Coal is formed when dead ...

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.

Death

Metcalf died in Erie on 14 October 1891. He is buried in

, 2116 Chestnut Street, Erie County, Erie, Pennsylvania 16502.Find-a-Grave
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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Metcalf, Prescott 1813 births 1891 deaths People from Putney, Vermont Pennsylvania Republicans Mayors of Erie, Pennsylvania Businesspeople from Pennsylvania 19th-century American politicians 19th-century American businesspeople