Benjamin Metz was born in Maryland, and as his father's death occurred while he was quite young, it fell to him to assist his mother in caring for the other children. He reached his maturity in Harrison County, VA, and married Miss Jane Lawson, daughter of John Lawson, a Virginian and a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Immediately after their marriage they came West reaching Illinois in 1833, and secured some Government land surrounding McGee's Creek, a part of which lies in Chambersburg, and here they commenced life as comparatively poor people. The father died at the old homestead in 1857 being a little more than sixty-three years of age. he was one of the most widely known and poplar men in the county. He had been very active in promoting the welfare of those about him, and was also a prominent local politician of the Republican party, and a member of the Methodist Church. His wife died in Chambersburg in 1889, being in her seventy-third year. To them were born thirteen children; four sons and four daughters of whom are still living.
From Portrait and Biographical Album of Pike & Calhoun Counties, Illinois; Page 708

1840 Living in Chambersburg, Pike County, IL.1420

1860 Living in Chambersburg, Pike County, IL1421