Jacob Proctor
Ironton Register 27 Sept 1888
The following interesting personal sketch we clip from the Ohio Valley News:
Jacob Proctor, for whom Proctorville was finally named, was born in 1799 and now lives near the place, a remarkably well-preserved man. He formerly lived in Washington County, Ohio, and followed the river with a trading boat.
He landed here in 1834, decided to remain, and began merchandising in a small room rented from Abner Smith, and in 1836 built the brick building near the ferry landing, now occupied by the C. E. Watters family.
Mr. Proctor then moved his store into a portion of this building. Before 1837, the post office had been kept by Mr. Kimball, who lived in the country.
Mr. Proctor was appointed Postmaster, and in that year by Martin Van Buren and Kimball, placing the office on his back, carried it to town and delivered it to his successor, who at once entered upon his arduous duty of handing out three newspapers a week, and an occasional letter, and drawing his salary, which amounted to about $10 a year. Letter postage then was from 10 to 25 cents.
McGinnis & Hall, then doing business there, had their shipment of goods sent to Proctorville, and the name of Quaker Bottom began gradually to give place to the new nomenclature. From whom Proctor rented upon this arrival, Abner Smith still resides in town.
Virginia Free Press, 19 August 1896, page 2
Jacob Proctor, one of the oldest citizens of Lawrence County, Ohio, died at Proctorville Wednesday afternoon in his ninety-ninth year. His wife, Mary Proctor, died six hours later. She was ninety-five years old. They had been married for almost seventy years.
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