E. K. Metcalf, one of the prominent business men and financiers of Greenfield, where he is no engaged in real estate dealing, has contributed in large measure to the substantial improvement of the city, having in former years been identified with its commercial interests, while later he has been handling property, negotiating many important realty transfers which have contributed to the business activity of this locality. The interests of the church and the school also received his endorsement and co-operation, and his aid can be counted upon for the furtherance of any movement claculated to advance the general good.

Mr. Metcalf is a native of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Macoupin county on the 6th of March, 1857. His father, Richard J. Metcalf, was one of the early settlers and prominent business men of Macoupin county and the son was there reared to manhood. He had good common-school advantages and afterward pursued a course of study in the Greenfield high school. Locating in Greenfield in 1879, he turned his attention to the grocery business, forming a partnership with his brother G.B. Metcalf, in which they continued for about a year. E.K. Metcalf then sold out and forming a partnership with two other parties became connected with the hardware trade, in which he continued for thirteen years. He was associated with that line of business until 1893, when he sold out and turned his attention to the real estate business. He began ihe improvement of farms and town property and has been very active as a representative of real estate investments since that time.

Through his efforts many realty transfers have been made, and he also rents farms. In Greenfield he has improved considerable property and he has completed his second find residence here, it being one of the best homes of the city.

In the fall of 1880 Mr. Metcalf was united in marriage to Miss Otis Thorpe, a native of Illinois, born in Greene county and with [sic[ a daugher of Martin Thorpe, a native of England. They have no children of their own, but have reared and educated a niece who is now the wife of George P. Bauer, a prominent business man of Greenfield. Mr. and Mrs. Metcalf made a trip to California in the fall of 1903, spending the winter on the Pacific coast and visiting many of the leading cities of the west.

In the spring of 1984, Mr. Metcalf returned to active business interests in Greenfield and has since figured prominently in its comercial and financial circles. Politically he is a stanch republican, wielding a wide influence in the local councils of his party, and al all times he is actuated by a worth yinterest in the general good rather than a desire for self-aggrandizement. He was elected and served for two years a mayor and gave to the city a progressive and business-like administration. He has been president of the board of education for two years and the public school system always finds in him a stanch friend ready ot aid at all times in promoting the efficiency of the schools at Greenfield. He and his wife are active and consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church, assisting materially in its work, and he is now serving as a member of the official board, while for a number of years he has been superintendent of the Sunday-school, in which Mrs. Metcalf is also an earnest and valued worker. He served on the building committee when the new Methodist Episcopal church edifice was erected, giving much time to the work and also contributing most generously to the building fund. The church is the best in the city, having been erected at a cost of sixteen thousand dollars. Mr. Metcalf is prominent in Masonry, belonging to the Greenfiedl lodge, A.F.&A.M.; Greeneifle chapter, R.A.M.; and Carrollton commandery, K.T. He has served as high priest of the chapter and in other positions in the craft. He is well known in Greene and adjacent counties as a man of exemplary character, of superior business ability and marked executive force and of keen discernment and, moreover, as one who deserves and receives the confidence and esteem of all who know him.

Transcribed by: Carole Ann Heller