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MY PARENTS
GUSTAV FRIEDRICH METZGER
On November 19, 1872, Gottlob & Louise Metzger of Herrenberg, Germany, announced the birth of a son. They named him Gustav Friedrich Metzger. This son was the third child in the family of 7 girls and 3 boys. In 1880 the family emigrated to the United States. The third son went by the name of Fritz for much of his life. Fritz was also known by his neighbors and friends as Fred G. Metzger, Fred Metzger became my father, and was to set an example of honesty, thrift and integrity that I have tried to live up to.
The Metzger family settled in Eastern Nebraska at Tecumseh. They were farmers, and Fred, being the oldest son, was given responsibility at a very early age. He worked more than he went to school when he was young, and did not go beyond the fourth grade, but he was a good student and read a great deal, seldom a day would pass that he didn't read from the Bible. He took several magazines dealing with agriculture, animal breeding, and horse training. He was usually up to date on events in his community and the United States.
I never really felt close to my father. He was a sensitive person, but showed very little emotion. I saw him cry only once, and that was when he received the news of his father's death on July 20, 1913. We all went to the funeral, which meant a train ride across Nebraska. Lawrence, my brother, was four years old and I was six. I remember the house where my grandparents lived, and I can still see the two sleek black horses hitched to the black hearse that took the body to the cemetery.
I remember Dad as being very strict. I suppose that he spanked me at some time, but I do not remember receiving a spanking. I do remember, that he would slap my hand at the dinner table, if I reached for something, he would just say, "Someone will pass it to you." I never heard him speak an unkind word to my mother. I have heard him say that his wife would not have to work in the field, and then have to do her house work. That meant nothing to me at the time, but I now realize that he came from a society where field work was expected of women.
Dad was an impressive person, standing 6 feet tall, and weighing 225 lbs; in recent years he led with his belt buckle when he walked down the street. He remained on the ranch until he was past 70, and missed very few days of work.
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Metzger Memories
