[1] He graduated from Oberlin College 1878 with an A.B., and also worked with Crozier and Shelton, cheese and butter manufacturers, that same year.

Metcalf attended the 1900 Republican Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as a delegate-at-large.

The Secretary of War appointed him a member of the Militia Board for eight years.

He also commanded the 77th Infantry Brigade of the 39th Division at Camp Beauregarde, Louisiana, and was honorably discharged due to age on August 29, 1917.

After being honorably discharged, he served as the president of the Douglas County Building and Loan Association, president of the Lawrence National Bank, and chairman of the board of the Federal Home Loan Bank in Topeka, Kansas.