Jesse H. Metcalf
Encyclopedia
Jesse Houghton Metcalf (November 16, 1860 October 9, 1942) was a United States Senator from Rhode Island
. Born in Providence
, he was educated in private schools there, studied textile
manufacturing in Yorkshire, England, and engaged in textile manufacturing. In 1889 Metcalf received a large bequest from his father's business partner, Henry J. Steere
. Metcalf served as a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives
from 1889 to 1891 and in 1907, and was a member of the Providence Common Council
from 1888 to 1892. He was chairman of the Metropolitan Park Commission of Rhode Island from 1909 to 1924, and a member of the penal and charitable board from 1917 to 1923. In addition, he was president of Rhode Island Hospital
, a trustee of the Rhode Island School of Design
at Providence and of Brown University
, and from 1935 to 1940 a Republican National Committee
man. He was also a part owner of The Providence Journal
.
Metcalf was elected as a Republican to the United States Senate (the upper house of the Congress) on November 4, 1924, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of LeBaron B. Colt
; on the same day he was also elected for the term commencing March 4, 1925. He was reelected in 1930 and served from November 5, 1924, to January 3, 1937; he was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1936. While in the Senate he was chairman of the Committee on Patents (Sixty-ninth and Seventieth Congresses) and a member of the Committee on Education and Labor (Seventy-first and Seventy-second Congresses). He died in Providence in 1942; interment was in Swan Point Cemetery
. The Jesse H. Metcalf Lodge at Camp Yawgoog
, the funds for which were donated by his wife, houses the Camp Sandy Beach dining hall and was named in his honor.
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
. Born in Providence
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
, he was educated in private schools there, studied textile
Textile
A textile or cloth is a flexible woven material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibres often referred to as thread or yarn. Yarn is produced by spinning raw fibres of wool, flax, cotton, or other material to produce long strands...
manufacturing in Yorkshire, England, and engaged in textile manufacturing. In 1889 Metcalf received a large bequest from his father's business partner, Henry J. Steere
Henry J. Steere
Henry Jonah Steere was a prominent American philanthropist and industrialist from Rhode Island.-Childhood:Henry J. Steere was born in Providence, Rhode Island on April 11, 1830 to Alice Smith and Jonah Steere , a manufacturer, saddler and harness maker. Henry was their only surviving child...
. Metcalf served as a member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives
Rhode Island House of Representatives
The Rhode Island House of Representatives is the lower house of the Rhode Island General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. State of Rhode Island. It is composed of 75 members, elected to two year terms from 75 districts of equal population. The Rhode Island General Assembly does not have...
from 1889 to 1891 and in 1907, and was a member of the Providence Common Council
Common Council
Common Council may refer to:* The Court of Common Council, an elected body of the City of London Corporation* Buffalo Common Council, the legislative branch of the Buffalo, NY City Government...
from 1888 to 1892. He was chairman of the Metropolitan Park Commission of Rhode Island from 1909 to 1924, and a member of the penal and charitable board from 1917 to 1923. In addition, he was president of Rhode Island Hospital
Rhode Island Hospital
Rhode Island Hospital is a private, not-for-profit hospital located in Providence, Rhode Island.-Overview:Rhode Island Hospital is the main teaching hospital of the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. A major trauma center for southeastern New England, the hospital is dedicated to...
, a trustee of the Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design is a fine arts and design college located in Providence, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1877. Located at the base of College Hill, the RISD campus is contiguous with the Brown University campus. The two institutions share social, academic, and community resources and...
at Providence and of Brown University
Brown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
, and from 1935 to 1940 a Republican National Committee
Republican National Committee
The Republican National Committee is an American political committee that provides national leadership for the Republican Party of the United States. It is responsible for developing and promoting the Republican political platform, as well as coordinating fundraising and election strategy. It is...
man. He was also a part owner of The Providence Journal
The Providence Journal
The Providence Journal, nicknamed the ProJo, is a daily newspaper serving the metropolitan area of Providence, Rhode Island and is the largest newspaper in Rhode Island. The newspaper, first published in 1829 and the oldest continuously-published daily newspaper in the United States, was purchased...
.
Metcalf was elected as a Republican to the United States Senate (the upper house of the Congress) on November 4, 1924, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of LeBaron B. Colt
LeBaron B. Colt
LeBaron Bradford Colt was a United States Senator from Rhode Island and a circuit court judge.-Biography:He was born in Dedham, Massachusetts to Christopher Colt and Theodora Goujand DeWolf Colt; his younger brother, Samuel P. Colt, was a prominent Rhode Island businessman and politician...
; on the same day he was also elected for the term commencing March 4, 1925. He was reelected in 1930 and served from November 5, 1924, to January 3, 1937; he was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1936. While in the Senate he was chairman of the Committee on Patents (Sixty-ninth and Seventieth Congresses) and a member of the Committee on Education and Labor (Seventy-first and Seventy-second Congresses). He died in Providence in 1942; interment was in Swan Point Cemetery
Swan Point Cemetery
Swan Point Cemetery is a cemetery located in Providence, Rhode Island, USA. Established in 1846 on a 60 acre plot of land. It has approximately 40,000 interments.- History :...
. The Jesse H. Metcalf Lodge at Camp Yawgoog
Camp Yawgoog
Yawgoog Scout Reservation is a reservation for Scouting located in Rockville, Rhode Island and operated by the Narragansett Council of the Boy Scouts of America...
, the funds for which were donated by his wife, houses the Camp Sandy Beach dining hall and was named in his honor.