Biography - JAMES D. METCALF

James D. Metcalf, Jr., one of the leading business citizens of Shipman, cashier of the Shipman Banking Company, was born in Girard, Macoupin County, Illinois, in 1871, and is a son of James D. and Brunette (Mason) Metcalf.

The Metcalf family is one of prominence in Macoupin County and is of Kentucky origin. The father of our subject was a teacher, later a druggist, and still later was engaged in banking at Girard, where he died March 22, 1887, in his 52nd year. The mother of our subject was a daughter of Dr. Mason, of Greene County, Illinois, who resided upon his homestead, located between Carrollton and Greenfield, until his death. Mrs. Metcalf died in 1883, aged 49 years.

James D. Metcalf, Jr., was very thoroughly educated, his father's large means giving him exceptional advantages. He was most creditably graduated at the University of Illinois at Champaign in 1893, and subsequently spent a year in enjoyable travel through Arizona and California. Upon his return to Girard, he entered the bank of that place as bookkeeper, remaining there in that capacity until May 15, 1895, when he removed to Shipman and established the Shipman Banking Company, of which he is the cashier. The other officers are S. P. Sanners, president, and Adam Deahl, vice-president. The Shipman Banking Company was established to transact a general banking business, to buy and sell exchange on all the principal cities in the United States, and it has a paid-up capital of $15,000 with a surplus of $3,000. Not being incorporated, the stockholders are individually liable for deposits, a conservative estimate of these being $300,000. The co-partners in the business are: Joseph Dodson, Adam Deahl, S. P. Sanners, F. S. Shultz, J. M. Metcalf, James D. Metcalf, M. Shultz, F. M. Dodson and H. C. Hamilton. The business is in a very flourishing condition and it ranks with any financial institution of its kind in this section of the State.

In 1898 Mr. Metcalf was married to Eugenia Wolf, who is a daughter of P. L. and Dora Wolf, of Girard, Macoupin County. One little daughter, Eugenia, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Metcalf in 1901. Fraternally Mr. Metcalf is a Mason and he also retains his membership with his college Greek letter society. Politically he is a Republican.

Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 510-511.