Clarence Ralph Metcalf was born in Moville, Iowa, on October 1, 1902. His parents were Ralph Mason Metcalf and Elizabeth Eldora McNaughton Metcalf. The family moved to a farm near Driscoll, North Dakota, in 1903, and to Barnes County in 1912. Clarence's father died while Clarence was attending high school, so he stayed out for a few years to help on the farm. However, he was graduated from Valley City High School in 1921. He farmed with his mother and his brother, Byron, until 1925, when he started on his own.
Clarence Metcalf and Theresa (Tracy) Lorenz were married in St. Bernard's Church in Oriska on September 25, 1924. She was the daughter of Joe Lorenz and Mary Agatha Wetzel Lorenz who farmed north of Oriska.
They farmed at several different locations near Valley City and Oriska until 1931. Then they settled on a farm just east of Valley City where they built up a fine dairy herd and also raised beef cattle and small grains.
Clarence was active in farm organizations, serving on the ASCS Committee and the FHA Committee for many years. He was also an active member of St. Catherines Church in Valley City where he served as chairman of the cemetery Board. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Farmers Union, Eagles Lodge, and in later years, the AARP.
Clarence and Tracy had 4 children: Lois is married to Stanley Stanislowski of Minio, North Dakota and they have 7 children. Lawrence is married to Gertrude Wieseler, they live in Elkhart, IN, and have 9 children. Leone is married to Richard Clarens. They live in Park River, North Dakota and have 3 children. Ralph, the youngest son, farmed with Clarence and Tracy for many years and then took over the farm himself in 1968. He married Helen Heiser and they have 4 children.
Clarence and Tracy retired to a home in Valley City in 1968, after having experienced a life of farming which began with an almost completely muscle powered operation to the present method of almost complete mechanization.
Clarence Metcalf passed away on June 24, 1975 at the age of seventy-two years and eight months.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 157