Victor H. Metcalf

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Metcalf in 1904.

Victor Howard Metcalf (October 10, 1853–February 20, 1936) was an American politician.

Born in Utica, New York, on October 10, 1853 to William and Sarah P. (Howard) Metcalf. He attended the Utica public schools, Utica Free Academy, and Russell's Military Institute at New Haven, Connecticut. In 1872, he entered Yale College, he left in his junior year to attend Yale Law School graduating in 1876 and was admitted to the Connecticut bar. In 1877, he continued his legal education at Hamilton College, admitted to the New York bar. He practiced in Utica in 1877 and then moved to Oakland, California in 1879. His law practice in California, handled real property and commercial cases.

He married in 1881, Emily Corinne Nicholson. They had two children.

He was elected as a Republican to the 56th, 57th and 58th Congresses, serving 1899 until 1904. In congress he served on Naval Affairs and Ways and Means committees. Metcalf's legislation for reclamation of arid lands, had him in touch with President Theodore Roosevelt.

July 1, 1904 he was appointed United States Secretary of Commerce and Labor by President Theodore Roosevelt, serving until December 12, 1906, when he became United States Secretary of the Navy. During his term, the world cruise of the Great White Fleet. The pressures of office took a toll on his health he resigned as navy secretary November 13, 1908.

After leaving Roosevelt's Cabinet he returned to Oakland, resumed his practice of law and engaged in the banking business. Little more than a month after his wife Emily died, he died in Oakland, February 20, 1936.

Buried at Mountain View Cemetery, Oakland, Calif.

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