William Procter
William Procter, one of the founders of the firm of Proctor & Gamble, was born in Herefordshire, England, in December, 1801. He was educated at the Luckston school and began in business at the age of sixteen. When he was nearing thirty he was connected with the clothing business in London. Three years before this time he became acquainted with William Hooper, who emigrated to America and located at Cincinnati, where he readily found employment. He gave such a glowing account of his new home that Mr. Procter crossed the ocean in 1830 and after arriving in Cincinnati began the manufacture of candles. A few years later her formed an acquaintance with James Gamble, who was engaged in the manufacture of soap. The two kinds of business fitted so well together that the young men finally determined to unite their business and in 1837 the firm of Proctor & Gamble was formed, a partnership which lasted during the remainder of their lives.
In 1833 Mr. Procter was married, at Cincinnati, to Miss Olivia Norris, and to them the following children were born: William A., George H., Harley T., Edwin R., Percy, Mrs John Morrison, Mrs. Thomas Morrison, Mrs. Herbert Bell, Mrs. Theodore Jones and Harriet. Mr. Procter in his intercourse with others exercised those genial qualities that win lasting respect and esteem. He was a man of great industry and perseverance and in all his transactions was absolutely just. n religious belief he adhered to the Episcopal church and it is said that he never failed to give away at least one-tenth of his annual income, thus literally obeying the Biblical injunction. He died in Cincinnati, April 3, 1884, having long held a position as one of its most respected and honored citizens.
From Cincinnati, The Queen City, Volume 4, by Rev. Charles Frederic Goss, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1912