Biography - Thaddeus Proctor
THADDEUS Q. PROCTOR is the proprietor of a well-equipped mercantile establishment at Buncombe, and conducts a profitable business at that point. Tennessee is his native State, and he was born June 3, 1856. His father, James Proctor, was born in the same State, was reared on a farm, and made it his home until the fall of 1860, when he came to Illinois. He bought and settled on land in Union County, ten miles northeast of Anna, and engaged in farming there for some ten years. In 1870 he came to Johnson County, purchased land near Goreville, and there spent his remaining days, dying in 1882, and leaving behind him a worthy life record. His wife was also a native of Tennessee, her name before marriage being Frances J. Henly, and she was a daughter of Pleasant Henly. She died in 1881. Four children were reared by the parents of our subject: Martha, Joel, Mary and Thaddeus.
Thaddeus Q. Proctor was but four years old when he was brought to Illinois by his parents, and his life has since been spent mostly in this State. He was well educated in the public schools, and had had some experience in teaching himself, having had charge of a school in this county one term and of another in Missouri a like length of lime. He resided beneath the parental roof until he was twenty-one, and then commenced to work on a farm by the month, and was thus employed until 1886. He was frugal and industrious, and by that time had money enough to enter the mercantile business, forming a partnership with his brother J. H. at Regent, Ill., and continuing with him until 1889, when he sold his interest in the concern to his brother. He then went into partnership with W. J. Suit to carry on a general mercantile business at Buncombe. In October, 1891, he bought his partner's interest in the establishment, and has since been in business alone. He carries a large stock of general merchandise, and by promptness, close attention to business, and fairness in dealing, he has built up an extensive trade. He has a kindly, obliging disposition, is conscientious and straightforward, and is found on the side of right in all that concerns the religious and social advancement of the community. His political views are strictly Republican. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church had in his father a member who was ever active in its service.
In 1889 our subject took an important step in life by his marriage with Miss Sally Suit, a native of Missouri, and a daughter of Albert Suit, who was born in Kentucky, the mother being a native of Missouri. Coziness, comfort and a cheerful hospitality abide in the home that they have established, and a little daughter named Bertie adds to their happiness.
Extracted 02 Apr 2002 by Rick Girtman from 1893 Biographical Review of Johnson, Massac, Pope, and Hardin Counties, Illinois, pages 195-196.
