after completion of his military service in 1864, metzner returned to civilian life at indianapolis. in 1865 he partnered with frank erdelmeyer, his former union army commander, to open a. metzner and company, a local pharmacy. in 1868 metzner sold his interest in the business to erdelmeyer, and opened another drugstore closer to his home. around the same time, metzner became interested in developing glazes for pottery and tile as a hobby. following his first wife's death in 1877, metzner left the pharmacy business, but continued his work on developing glazes and ceramic artwork.