JEFFERSON PROCTOR

PROCTOR

Posted By: Jake Tornholm (email)
Date: 4/22/2020 at 15:35:54

JEFFERSON PROCTOR, photographer at Corning, was born in Elkhart, Indiana, in 1842, a son of John and Mary (Powell) Proctor. His father was a merchant and died in 1860, and his mother resides with him, the son. AS he grew up he learned the trade of steam engineer. At the beginning of the war he enlisted in Company D, Thirty-third Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and during his service had some thrilling experiences. At one time he was [captured] by guerrillas and a rope was placed around his neck to hang him when he was fortunately saved by the intervention of a friend. He served with his regiment in Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee, taking part in many of the great battles and sieges, and being struck four times with Rebel bullets, but at no time was he so severely wounded but that he remained in the ranks.

Returning home after the war he learned photography and located in Ottumwa, this State. He came to Corning when it was a straggling village, being the first artist here, and with the exception of a short interval he has been a resident here ever since. He is the standard photographer of the place. He has occupied his present home twenty years, becoming one of the landmarks of the city. He is a member of the Christian Church and of the I. O. O. F.

In 1866 he was married to Miss Alice Weston, and their children are Amazilla, now the wife of Owens Eldon; Aretta and May.