DR.       ARCHIBALD      ALBERT       METCALFE

1962 Thursday February 8; The Almonte Gazette

Almonte loses one of its best known citizens Dr. A. A. Metcalfe

The funeral of the late Dr. Archibald Albert Metcalfe was held from the late residence Main Street to the

Almonte United Church where services was conducted by the pastor Rev. F. C. Gerard assisted by Rev.

D. Leslie Elder of the Presbyterian Church.   He was in his 93rd. year.  Dr. Metcalfe died in the General

Hospital , here, on Thursday afternoon, February 1'St following an illness of about two weeks duration.

He was one of Almonte's oldest and best known citizens, having practised medicin here for 65 years and

having filled various elective offices for almost half a century.   He served as mayor of the town for a

couple of terms and previous to that had been a member and chairman of the Public Utilities Commission

that he was best known to the public.

  Electrical Pioneer

The Doctor was a pioneer in the field of electrical development and it was only at the last nomination that

he retired from active service on this important body.

Dr. Metcalfe who was the last of a family of 12 was born on the homestead, eighth line of Ramsay and

after attending the rural schooling in his section graduated from Almonte High School which was directed

by the redoubtable P. C. McGregor.   He made up his mind to study medicine at an early age but before

entering Queen's University for that purpose went to the model school at  Perth where he received a

permit to teach school.   He taught at MsDonald's Corners for one place, a find often reminisced a little

about the model school at Perth which was under the supervision of the most efficient principal, the late

James Jacques.

  Post graduate Course

After finally getting his medical degree, from Queen's, the Doctor took a post graduate course in training

at the famous Mayo Clinic at Rochester.   From the first he was a most successful physician and surgeon

and he had a large practice.   He was noted for his kindly attitude and often unpaid administrations to

the poor.

DTP be exact about his public life it is understood he served seven terms as mayor between the years 1917

and 1929.   He first was elected to what was known in those days as the electric light commission in 1901

and had a seat on it almost continuously until the end of last year.   While Mayor he served on that board

by virtue of the office of magistrate of the town, and at other times as an independent elective commissar. 

In 1910 he helped form the Mississippi River Co. Ltd., the purpose which is indicated by its name.

  Encouraged Education

Dr. Metcalfe was interested in education and always encouraged improvements at the local high school.

He was active in sports,   In his youth bring on track teams here and at the university at Kingston.   As he

grew older he maintained his interest in lawn bowling, curling and was a patron of hockey, baseball and

all such games.

Like so many doctors of the old school he was fond of horses and had some good ones in his time which he

drove at the fall fairs and other shows.

During World War 1 he served as a lieutenant in the Army Medical Corps and during the last 56 years was a

Lanark County coroner.

There was a large attendance at the funeral service in the United Church where Rev. Gerard paid a fitting

to one who had performed such outstanding services in the medical and municipal fields.

   Staunch Conservative

Dr. Metcalfe's wife, the Former Isabel Mitchell McCallum. died 25 years ago.   There was no family but

since then a niece of his wife made her home with the doctor.   She is Miss Ishabel Guthrie a trained nurse

who came here from Scotland to be with her aunt in her last illness.

No obituary of the doctor would without a reference to his political activities.   He was a staunch Conservative and for many years was an active and successful worker in the Party's interest in Almonte and

North Lanark.   He had a cheerful disposition and was friendly if he had any use for a person at all.   One

of his saving graces--one that is well worth mentioning--was that he could have a great argument with some

person today and be just as friendly when he met him on the street tomorrow.   He was an institution in

this town and will be sadly missed by a host of friends.

Pallbearers were Messes. Jas. I Metcalfe, Thos. Voyce, Frank Honeyborne, John Lyons, Don Campbell and

Jack Joss.