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Victor Howard Metcalf (October 10, 1853 – February 20, 1936) was an Oakland-based politician and lawyer who served in Congress as 3rd District Rep. R-CA, (1899–1904); then on Teddy Roosevelt’s cabinet as Secretary of Commerce and Labor (1904–06), and finally as Secretary of the Navy (1906–08). As secretary of the Navy, he planned the voyage of the Great White Fleet around the world.

In 1879 Victor H. Metcalf moved to Oakland to work as an attorney, and in 1881 he formed a partnership with George D. Metcalf (no relation, despite the name 3) in the law firm of Metcalf & Metcalf. Together they handled corporate lawsuits, real estate cases and conducted a general practice, in which they both acquired fortunes.

Victor Howard Metcalf 2

The 1887 Oakland Directory lists their offices as being located at 969 Broadway (Rooms 44, 45 and 46) in the Delger Block. Victor Metcalf lived at 1263 Harrison Street, Oakland, while George Metcalf resided in Berkeley. Once he returned from Washington, a home more befitting someone of his stature was built in Vernon Heights.

Metcalf married Emily Corinne Nicholson (Metcalf) (1861–1936) and they were the parents of at least three children: Victor Nicholson Metcalf (1883–1910), William Howard Metcalf (1884–1967), and Corinne Metcalf (1889–1900).

His father William Metcalf, capitalist, resided on the corner of Vernon Avenue and College Avenue in Oakland in 1887.

Death and Burial

Victor Howard Metcalf died a month after his wife Corinne, and is buried in Plot 27 of Mountain View Cemetery, along with other family members.

Metcalf grave photo CC SA-NC-BY Our OaklandVictor Metcalf CC SA-NC-BY Our OaklandCorinne Metcalf CC SA-NC-BY Our Oakland

Links and References

San Francisco Call 1904 4

  1. Alameda County: The Eden of the Pacific. Tribune Publishing Co: 1898
  2. Victor H. Metcalf on Wikipedia
  3. Victor Howard Metcalf The Independent, Volume 57
  4. Victor H. Metcalf at Home San Francisco Call July 17, 1904
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