Bio: Metcalf, Aliden U., 1845
Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
 
Surnames: METCALF, KIES, NELSON, SMITH, ROBINSON, MURRAY, SHERLOCK
 
----Source: 1918 History of Clark County, Wisconsin

ALIDEN U. METCALF, a respected resident of Hewett Township, and a pioneer of Clark County, was born in Adrian, Ohio, Oct. 22, 1845, son of Nelson and Eliza Metcalf. His father was a native of Massachusetts, and the mother, whose family name was Kies, was born in Connecticut, where they were married.

By the time they had three children-Andrew, Ephraim and Sarah Nelson, and Eliza Metcalf removed to Ohio, in which state six others were born-Eli, Aliden, May, Daniel, Giles and Nelson. From Ohio the family moved to Indiana, and then, in 1865, the parent with their youngest son, Nelson, continuing their western pilgrimage, came to Clark County, Wis., locating in section 1, Hewett Township, on land that was covered with timber, the entire surrounding country, indeed being heavily wooded. Their first dwelling here was a board shanty, and their next a log house, in which they lived until Mr. Metcalf moved to Neillsville, where he died at the age of 70 years. His wife died four years before he did, at the age of 59. Aliden U. Metcalf attended school in Ohio and grew up on his parents' farm. At the age of 20 years he was married in Indiana to Alvira Robinson, who died, leaving one child, Parker, now of York township, Clark County.

On Dec. 19, 1872, Mr. Metcalf married for his second wife, Susan Smith, who was born in Allen county, Ind., Feb. 20, 1852, daughter of Josiah and Jerusha Smith, natives or inhabitants of that state, who settled in Indiana and spent the rest of their lives there. They were the parents of ten children. Mr. Metcalf farmed for awhile in Indiana, or until 1873, when in June of that year he set out to drive overland to Clark County, Wis., with his family. The trip took them fifteen days with good weather. They were met at Black River Falls by Nelson, Mr. Metcalf's brother, who piloted them into Hewett Township through the pine woods, the timber being so dense that it shut out the sunlight. They bought a tract of land of eighty acres in section 12, it being covered with timber except two acres on which the trees had been cut down, but the stumps left. There was a log house on the land, in which they made their home, and where they lived until 1903, when the present frame house was built. There was no road, but the main Indian trail ran across their place, and they often saw Indians passing in single file, the line extending for half a mile. Beginning with an ox team and a jumper, Mr. Metcalf began the pioneer work of clearing the land-a task that occupied him for a number of years. He now has a well-improved farm, is raising good stock and doing a prosperous business as a farmer.

He served four or five years on the township board, and was also a member of the school board, being treasurer. Of his second marriage three children were born: Eliza Jane, Aliden, Jr., and Jesse. Eliza Jane, who married Louis Haenel, of Merrilan, Wis., died, leaving four children, Susan Margaret, Sarah, William and Elsie. Aliden, who resides at Chippewa Falls, married Nettie Murray, of Portage, Wis., -and has one child, Jesse. Jesse is a railroad man residing at Altoona, Wis. He married Lida Sherlock, and has seven children: Richard H., Jesse Marion, Howard Earl, Elma Susan (deceased), Myrtle Lucille and Bessie Idell.