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Sylvia Eliza Sanford Metcalf

Utah’s Oldest Person

From the Vernal Express 27 November 1941

Family Honors Pioneer, 96, At Open House

GUNNISON – The family of Mrs. Sylvia E. Metcalf entertained in honor of her ninety-sixth birthday anniversary Nov. 16 holding open house for friends during the afternoon at her home. Mrs. Clara Ludvigson, who has lived with her mother during her later years was in charge of the celebration. Several fifth generation descendants were present. Mrs. Metcalf is the mother of Mrs. Mary E. Chew of Jensen.

Many of the experiences of early pioneers were recounted at the party. Mrs. Metcalf who was born November 16, 1845 in Hancock county, Illinois was a daughter of Cyrus and Sylvia Sanford. With her parents she endured the hardships experienced by Captain Snow’s company in crossing the plains.

Mrs. Metcalf said one of her most vivid recollections was an incident that occurred near the Platte river when oxen of the wagon in which she was riding crazed with thirst, made a dash for the water. Before the driver could stop them she said the lead team plunged off a 20-foot bank and dangled from the wagon tongue until they could be cut loose.

After a two week stopover in Salt Lake City her family moved to Springville. Her girlhood days in the community were typical of the time. She became acquainted with the Indians, learned their language, was taught the arts of wool washing, spinning, weaving, carding, knitting and tailoring of clothes.

Mrs. Metcalf recalled that young people attended dances and parties barefoot.

In August, 1863 she was married to Anthony Metcalf. The couple moved to Warm Creek, later known as Fayette, where they established the first flour mill in the area. Due to the Indian uprisings, they were forced to make their home in Gunnison where another flour mill was established.

Mrs. Metcalf was the mother of 15 children, and a practical nurse for more than 30 years. Six children are now living: Mrs. Jack Chew, Jensen, Mrs. Ezra Nielson, Thistle; Mrs. Carl Nielson, Salt Lake City; Mrs. Melissa Nay and Mrs. Elizabeth Caldwell of Centerfield, and Mrs. Clara Ludvigson of Gunnison.

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Chew, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Chew and Mrs. Mary E. Chew returned home on Friday from Gunnison where they attended the family entertainments.

From the Vernal Express 15 November 1945

Mother of Mrs. Chew To Receive Honor

GUNNISON – A central Utah city will honor Mrs. Sylvia Eliza Sanford Metcalf Friday who on this date becomes a centenarian. Rodney Hillam Jr. vice chairman of the Old Folks Central Committee representing Presiding Bishop LeGrand Richards chairman will personally present Mrs. Metcalf with the red, white and blue rosette with pearls given to all those reaching this advanced age. Mrs. Medcalf, now becomes, as far as known, Utah’s fourth oldest person. Charles W. Seegmiller of St. George is 102, Mrs. Anna K. Rasmussen of Sandy, 101. John Evans of Salt Lake recently turned 100. She will also be presented with a bouquet of flowers.

She was born in Hancock County, a daughter of Cyrus Sanford and Sylvia Clark. Her father was the first school teacher and mayor of Springville. She crossed the plains with her parents when five years of age. She married Anthony Metcalf in Auguest 1863. They had 15 children though only seven are now living. They are Mary E. Chew of Vernal, age 83, Sylvia E. Caldwell, age 80 and Melissa E. Ney, 75, both of Centerfield, Clara E. Ludvigson, 72, Gunnison, Emma E. Brown, 71, Springville, Ina Neilson, 56, Salt Lake and Jane A. Neilson, 56, Murray, 54.

Mrs. Metcalf was a practical nurse and brought many babies into the world. She spun, wove and made clothes for her children. Her husband was a lieutenant of cavalry in the Black Hawk Indian war, and it is told that he was a friend to the Red Men, and that when troubles arose he and his wife believed it was “better to feed them than fight them” as Brigham Young said.

Mr. Metcalf was the first miller in Fayette and was also a freighter. He came to Utah in 1853 after joining the Church in 1849. He settled first in the 4^th Ward in Salt Lake, then went to Springville, and in 1862 was called to go to St. George, and later returned to Fayette. The Indians used to come to his mill but he was a peaceful man and they never bothered him. He also went to New Zealand on a mission.

Mrs. Metcalf assisted her husband in farming and in hard manual labor helping him colonize. When they became more prosperous their home was known as “half way house” and was ever open to weary travelers passing through Gunnison.

Mr. Metcalf died Feb 8, 1887. [This is a mistake – it was Anthony Metcalf’s father who died in 1887.]

She has 50 grandchildren, 125 great grandchildren, and 12 great great grandchildren. There are five generations in most of the families of the seven sisters still living. There were over 40 grandsons or great grandsons in the service.

A special program from 11 to 12 am Friday will be open to the public in the Gunnison Ward Chapel, followed by open house all day for those who pay their respects to Utah’s fourth centenarian. She told her children she attributed her good health to hard work and outdoors and keeping the Word of Wisdom. She has been a devout Latter-day Saint all her life.

Obituary

From the Vernal Express 21 August 1947

Mother of Mrs. Chew Dies at Age of 101

Funeral services for Mrs. Sylvia Eliza Sanford Metcalf, 101, oldest woman in Utah, and mother of Mrs. Mary E. Chew of Vernal, who died August 12 at her home in Gunnison, were held Saturday at the Gunnison LDS Ward Chapel.

Mrs. Metcalf was born Nov. 16, 1845 in Hancock County, a daughter of Cyrus and Sylvia Clark Sanford. Her family came to Utah in 1849 settling first in Springville where Mr. Sanford served as the first mayor and school teacher.

She lived in Springville until her marriage to Anthony Metcalf in 1862 when they moved to Sanpete County as colonizers.

In 1872 they moved to Gunnison where Mrs. Metcalf has since resided.

Mrs. Metcalf, a true pioneer, learned the Indian language, and used the frontier arts of wool carding, spinning, weaving and sewing in making clothes for her fifteen children.

Her husband was a cavalry lieutenant during the Black Hawk Indian wars. He died in 1887. [oops! He died in 1924.]

Mrs. Metcalf, a practical nurse was honored on her 100th birthday anniversary by presentation of a pageant depicting her life.

She is survived by five daughters, including Mrs. Chew, 50 grandchildren, 125 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great grandchildren.

Forty of her grandsons and great grandsons served in the armed forces during World War II.

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