Jacob Proctor, Jr. was born on September 7, 1797 to Jacob Proctor, Sr. and Betsie Wells Proctor in Washington County, Ohio. His contributions to Lawrence County resulted in Proctorville being named for him.
In 1828, Jacob was working for Mr. Buel. Buel owned a local general merchandise store. Jacob continued to work for Buel until 1837. In 1837, Jacob purchased the general store from his former employer.
Also in 1837, Proctor was appointed the Post Master. His new post office had a mailing address of Quaker Bottom, Ohio (one of the original names for Proctorville). He received $10.00 per year for his new job. He would be the post master for eighteen years.
In 1833, Jacob married Mary Easterman in Washington County, Ohio. Mary was born on March 18, 1804. The couple did not have any children.
Jacob built one of the first brick homes in Proctorville to house him and his wife.
He became an agent for Etna Insurance Company. Jacob would keep this job for twenty years.
Jacob was the County Commissioner for one term.
When he became older, Jacob retired and became a farmer.
On August 10, 1896, Mary Easterman Proctor died at her home near the town named for her husband. She was 92 years old. According to her obituary (IR 13 August 1896), she had fallen in March and had injured her hip. Her death resulted from that injury.
Jacob Proctor out lived his wife by 43 hours. People attending his wife’s funeral noticed Jacob was seriously ill. Jacob, at the age of 99, died on August 12, 1896. His body was buried in Rome Cemetery in Rome Township, Lawrence County, Ohio.
