Charles B. Metcalfe
San Angelo, Tom Green County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Sponsor of 1918 measure to give Texas women right to vote. Born in Lawrence County, Tenn. came to Texas 1872. Helped map town site of Ben Ficklin, first county seat, Tom Green County. Grew first bale of cotton and installed first (water-powered) cotton gin in county; was one of first ranchers to work for law and order, in fencing rangeland. County Commissioner 6 years. Served 1915-1919 in Legislature of Texas. There his amendment to 1918 election bill gave vote in primaries to women of Texas three years before the national adoption of woman's suffrage. (1968)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Charles B. Metcalfe came to Texas from Tennessee in 1872 and helped build up Tom Green County, growing its first bale of cotton, installing its first cotton gin, and mapping the early county seat at Ben Ficklin. Serving in the Texas Legislature from 1915 to 1919, he authored the 1918 amendment that gave the state's women the right to vote in primary elections—three years before national suffrage was adopted.
Why it matters
Metcalfe's 1918 measure made Texas one of the first Southern states to extend the vote to women, a milestone on the road to the Nineteenth Amendment.
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Related people
- · Charles B. Metcalfe
Related events
- · 1918 Texas primary suffrage law
Themes & tags
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