George Kidd Proctor Jr.

     

George Kidd Proctor Jr.

     I thought that I would like to add a little about the George Kidd Proctor Jr. and Annie Ludlow.  They are the ones that raised my mother, Ruth Elizabeth Proctor Cook, when her mother died a short time after mother’s birth.  This is the couple that I knew as Grandpa and Grandma Proctor.  We went to visit them every year and I loved them dearly. 

A party was given by the High Priests of the Tooele Stake for George K Proctor and Family.  Members of the family took part on the program to honor Annie and George.

This history was read by President Alex F. Dunn.

31 October 1956

    

George Kidd Proctor Jr., one of our honored guests this evening, was the first child born in America to George K. Proctor Sr. and Mary Ann Anderson, who emigrated from Scotland to the state of Kansas about 1878.  His father was born in Carnoustie, Scotland, 10 Ma7 1850.  He died 18 Jan. 1914 in Spanish Fork, Utah, a High Priest.

     His mother was born in Glasgow, Scotland, 3 Apr 1850 and died 9 Mar 1884 in Kansas.  Little more is known of these two people, except that two of Brother Proctor’s sisters died in Scotland as children.

     When the family came to the states there was only one son, James.  Brother Proctor, and two other sons, Franklin DH, and Samuel Wilson were born after their arrival in the United States.  The mother died at the birth of Samuel Wilson.  The infant died also.

     Brother Proctor’s father married Dora Pierce Weight, who had a homestead at Norton, Kansas, and the two families came together and started farming.

     Brother Proctor’s father planted 80 acres of corn, and it began to look like a bumper crop.  A heavy rain came and at first it appeared to add to the success of the crop, but immediately following the rain a hot south wind started and burned the corn so that the crop was a complete failure.  This cured them on Kansas, and Brother Proctor’s father traded all of his cows, claves, chickens, etc., for a team of horses and a wagon and moved to Denver, Colorado, where he engaged in the artificial gas business as a manufacturer of gas for city services.

     Brother Proctor attended one season of school at Long Island, Kansas, and three in Denver, when the family moved to Antlers, Colorado, and Brother Proctor’s schooling continued there and was completed at Fruita, Colorado, where his father worked for one year.

     At Antlers the family suffered another set-back when an irrigation dam broke and ruined their farm, which had been set out with young trees which were just bearing fruit.

     The next trip was to California, but the family reached Spanish Fork, Utah, and our honored guest dug graves to assist the family while his father went on to Eureka where he became a fireman on the steam hoists at the mines.

     Brother Proctor worked the opposite shift from his father on the steam firing job. 

     Romance between Brother and Sister Proctor started at Eureka, Utah, when Sister Proctor came to assist in the Proctor home due to the ill health of Brother Proctor’s step-mother.

     Interest continued until Sister Proctor served notice there would be no marriage unless it was a Temple marriage.  This stumped Brother Proctor because he wasn’t even a member of the Church, but he didn’t want to lose this girl whom he had learned to love, so after an extended investigation he was baptized by George Hales 24 May 1900.  They were married in the Salt Lake Temple 13 Feb 1901, with President John R. Winder officiating.

    

Back-Rozella, Elwood, Ethel
Front-Max

The young couple lived in Eureka for three years, where the first of the children, a son, James Ezra, was born.  He met a tragic death by drowning in the Spanish Fork River at the age of ten.

     Benjamin, Utah, was their next stopping place, where the Proctors farmed the property of Sister Proctor’s mother.

     Elwood Leslie Proctor, a son was born 8 Jan 1904; Rozella Proctor was born 1 June 1909.  Ethel Proctor was born 1 Dec 1910.  Max Proctor was born 30 Sept 1912, all while the family lived at Benjamin, Utah.  The youngest daughter, Inez Ludlow Proctor was born 3 May 1921 at Blackfoot, Idaho Leaving Benjamin the family moved to Blackfoot district in Idaho, where farming was continued and they built their home.  Brother Proctor became interested in sugar beets and was selected an employee of Utah Idaho Sugar Company as a field man in the agriculture department.

     This started the Proctor family on a long series of moves which eventually counted up to 21 times, and extended through Idaho and Montana, where he spent the five years prior to moving to Tooele, Utah, 26 May 1930.  Here he went to work at Bauer, first as a leaser in the mine, and later an employee of Combined Metals.

     During the depression, Brother Proctor became a game warden in Tooele and Juab counties.

     At the resumption of mining activities at Bauer, he returned as a welder’s helper, and concluded his work there as custodian until his retirement in December 1951.

     Brother Proctor in the past 55 years has been a faithful and a devoted member of the LDS Church. 

Inez, Grandma Proctor, Grandpa Proctor & Rozella

     He was ordained a Deacon 17 January 1901, and an Elder 10 February 1901 by Samuel Layton, an Elder.

     He was ordained a Seventy by Dr. Seymour B. Young while he resided at Benjamin.
     He received his ordination as a High Priest at Blackfoot, Idaho.

Grandma Proctor, Grandpa Proctor & Rozella

Death certificate

Elizabeth Sarah Williams - Part Two

     When Grandmother attended German Ellsworth's school, he presented her with a book, "Voice of Warning," for being the best pupil in the school.  She was very gifted as an oral reader.  She always had an important part in every school play.  She was a beautiful penman.  She loved to write and would fill her notebook with beautiful writing then carefully erase it all so she could use her notebook over again.

Finally George persuaded her to keep house for him while he ran the farm.  Grandmother and George attended the Brigham Young Academy on an I.O.U.  The next summer Grandmother repaid it by working for President Cluff's second wife at Beaver, Utah.

Grandmother worked at various places.  Finally she went to Eureka, Utah to keep house for Great Grandfather Proctor after the death of his second wife.  It was here she and Grandpa Proctor met, and were married.

Grandmother was very active in the Relief Society.  From March 1911 to March 1915 she was secretary to President Pheobe Isaac.  She was Relief Society Visiting Teacher for many years.

Grandmother was blessed with a talent of doing beautiful hand work.  She was always making beautiful gifts for someone.  During World War I, Mother received a Medal of Honor for doing so much knitting for the Red Cross.  (120 pairs of stockings, 27 sweaters, and countless scarves.) 

She was blessed with a remarkable memory.  She gave many humorous readings in public.  She could read a lengthy selection over a few times and would know it verbatim.

            Eight beautiful children were born to this union: Bessie Vernal, William Thomas, Annie Caroline, George Trevor, Mary Atha, James Franklin, Alan, and Ruth Elizabeth.

           

Grandmother died 3 December 1918 at the age of 38.  Ruth was only 2 ½ weeks old.   She died from puerperal fever sometimes known as childbed fever, a bacterial infection contracted by women during childbirth or miscarriage.  Contributory causes were toxemia of pregnancy, a severe condition characterized by high blood pressure and swelling;  nephritis, an inflammation of the nephrons in the kidneys and  toxic liver.

            Grandmother’s Patriarchal Blessing states: “They posterity will be very numerous; among them will be apostles and prophets, seers and revelators, and many leading women in Zion.”  What a marvelous blessing!  Which one of you will be called to fulfill that part of her blessing?  It sure gives us something to think about!  All of us should live worthy of such a calling anyway whether we are ever called to the positions or not.

            I look forward to meeting this elect lady.

Elizabeth Sarah Williams - Part One

     Aunt Annie Caroline Proctor Jaynes wrote up Grandmother’s life story.  I have added the pictures and changed it somewhat so it would flow how I wanted it to.  I appreciate all the work that she did on our family history.  I miss her and wish so many times that I could just ask her a question about one of the relatives. 

 Elizabeth Sarah Williams was the third child and only daughter of Thomas Trevor Williams and Annie Blackburn Williams.  She was born 22 June 1880 in Lake Shore, Utah, Utah.  She had two older brothers; William Trevor and George Blackburn, and two younger brothers;  John Trevor and Thomas James. 

             Her father died from lead poisoning due to his work in the mines 1 April 1884 at the age of 37.  Grandmother was almost 4 years old when he died.  John Trevor was 2 and Thomas James was born just over 4 months after his death.  This little one died just a few months later on 10 November 1884. 

             After Great Grandfather Williams died, Great Grandmother moved with her small family to Spanish Fork, Utah.

             Grandmother’s brother, John related the following story:  "While living at lst west and 7th north in Spanish Fork, 

What area looks like today

a crowd of children went down to King's farm to play one day.  A pole cat (skunk) barred our way.  Will King said if Elizabeth would go and kick it out of the way he would give her 10 cents. Mother met us in the front yard, stripped us while Aunty Dayton got a tub of hot water and soap.  They buried our clothes to drive away the smell."

            After another mover to 4th N. and 8th East in Spanish Fork, the small family moved back to the farm in Lake Shore, Utah.

As it looks today.

             "On one occasion while living on the farm we use to play in an excavation made by digging out the alfalfa chaff, being nice and dry and warm in there we became tired of playing.  We took French Leave and went down to Bank's to play.  A terrible wind storm came up, (Lake Shore had its share).  We got home just as Mother with a little help from neighbors finished removing the last of the chaff stack with their hands, as she wouldn't allow them to use pitchforks for fear they would injure us as she was positive we were all under the chaff as she had seen us playing there."

    Grandmother’s mother succumbed to pneumonia and died 14 February 1891, leaving three orphan children; George, age 13; Elizabeth, age 11; and John, age 9.  She was only 36 years old. 

Elizabeth Sarah Williams was baptized 4 August 1892 by Joseph Bellows, at Lake Shore, Utah, Utah.

After their mother’s death, Grandma and John went to live with Joseph and Alice Bellows.  George lived at various places and some times at Bellows.  After three years grandmother and John went to live with Mr. and Mrs. William Fergerson.  They were happy in their new home.  The Proctor children always called them Uncle Bill and Aunt Carl. (Her name was Caroline.  It was after her that Annie Caroline received her name as Annie Caroline Proctor.  Annie was her Grandmother's name.)

Tribute to Franklin DH Proctor

Given at funeral services

28 Oct 1958

     I feel very humble and honored to have been asked by the family to say a few words at these services today.

     We, the Hansen family, have always considered Uncle Frank, that is the name I have always heard our family call him, a very dear friend and neighbor.

     All through the years since I have known him, he has in his friendly, courteous way called me Mrs. Melba, and Mother Hansen was always affectionately called Auntie by him and Father Hansen-Uncle John.

     He was born near Topeka, Kansas, 1 September 1881 to George and Mary Ann Anderson Proctor.

     His mother passed away while there.  In his teens the family moved to Eureka, Utah.  At the age of 17 he met and married Elizabeth Sarah Williams.  They had a family of 4 girls and 3 boys.  They moved to the Spanish Fork area about 1904.  His wife dies 2 December 1918.

     In May of 1923 he married Rosabelle Hall Helm.  She died May of 1936.

     About a year ago while visiting us one afternoon he was reminiscing over his earlier life.  About when he worked in the mines at Eureka and his experiences there.  It was all interesting to me.  I only wish my memory would serve me better so I would have remembered all he said.  He told of working with an uncle of mine and jokes and good times they had.

     When Winford and I were married some 37 years ago, he worked for Utah Idaho Sugar Company.  I came to know him very well as he visited the Hansen’s often.

     I worked here in the Primary at the time and if the men were busy and I didn’t have a way to the church, Uncle Frank was around and was always ready and willing to give me a lift.

     He did love to stop by and eat dinner with us.  He was always willing to take Mother Hansen to town if need be or to Relief Society or any place she needed to go if her folks were busy.  He was always kind, courteous, and accommodating.

     I think he had some fine traits of character, honesty, courage, ambition, dependability and integrity.

     I think these few words by Alice Cary describe his character well.

                        True worth is in being, not seeing—

                        In doing each day that goes by,

                        Some little good—not in dreaming of great things to do by and by.

                        For whatever men say in their blindness

                        And in spite of the fancies of youth,

                        There’s nothing so kingly as kindness,

                        And nothing so royal as truth.

   For many years he was employed by the J.M. Sumsion Contractors of Springville.  He was a labor foreman, but most of the time he worked on the gravel crusher and loaded gravel trucks.  Winford has been with Sumsions too for several years and driven gravel trucks most of the time.  Many times he has made the remark that Uncle Frank was the perfect, dependable truck loader.  The same amount of gravel in each truck.  As far as scales were concerned, he says Uncle Frank didn’t need any and that there isn’t anyone who can do as perfect a job as he did.

     We could say of him—He had a sense of obligation and trustworthiness to his employer.

     I think we may define his character in these lines of Charles Dickens:

                        “It is well for a man to respect his own vocation whatever it is, and to think          

                        Himself bound to uphold it, and to claim for it the respect it deserves.”

     While the Sumsions were over here a year ago making gravel, they employed Uncle Frank as night watchman.  Even though he was afflicted with arthritis and wasn’t too well, he was always on the job and he worked as long as his health would permit.

     Shortly after that he had an accident and since that time his health has failed more.

     While he was in Salt Lake with his children during the winter, we called to see him a couple of times.  I can’t express in words how glad he was to see us and how grateful he was that we called by. I am thankful we took time out to call on him because we felt so helpless otherwise in not knowing what to do in his hours of affliction.

     He was indeed thankful for his children.  Times when I have called to see how he was he told me how good they were to him.  I know that recently they have made many trips to visit him.

     Father’s Days were highlights of his life, as all the children who possibly could come did so with good things to eat and to have lovely family get togethers.

     At Christmas time of last year and other years when I took our Relief Society gift to him, he was so thrilled and happy he could hardly refrain from crying.  As I said before, he was so appreciative of every kind word or deed shown him, and it always filled my heart with joy to do whatever I could for him.

     I think his thanks could be expressed in these few lines by Frances Angermayer:

                        Thanks for the smile you gave me today,

                        You’ll never know how it paved the way

                        With joy—How it made everything right.

                        Thanks—now—I am not afraid of the night.

                        Thanks for the kind word.

                        I didn’t tell you,

                        But I held it close the long day through.

                        Your kind words made me brave in a trial.

                        Thanks for your kindness.

                        Thanks  for your smile.

     We could say of him:

                        He did not seek the wealth of the world,

                        No prestige, no power, nor fame,

                        He did not ask for honors to grace

                        The plainness of his name.

                        His life is rich with priceless gems

                        When truth and faith applaud,

                        When friends can look at him and say

                        He has won the trust of God.

     I pray the Lord will bless you children, grandchildren always, and give you solace and comfort and a source of relief in know that your father is at peace and rest.

     In conclusion I wish to read these lines entitled

                                                God Lives

                        God lives, he holds the key of life,

                        He guides us through this world of strife,

                        We know and feel his presence near.

                        In Him we conquer care and fear.

                        He gives us strength and peace divine

                        We know He lives and life in mine.

                        God live, he ever knoweth best.

                        In Him our heart is free from pain.

                        Our tears have not been shed in vain,

                        God lives, and He protects us all,

                        He lives and answers to our call.

                        God lives and shared His blessed love,

                        He lives to send gifts from above.

                        God lives and tells us He is light.

                        He lives and tells us all is right.

     My we all remember the fine characteristics of  Uncle Frank and our association with him and thereby live better and strive always to be kind to one another.

Franklin DH Proctor - Part Four

Ruth, the baby who was born when Grandma died, went to live with Grandpa’s  brother George Kidd Proctor Jr. and his wife Annie Ludlow. (Uncle George and Aunt Annie.)

Ruth with George and Annie Proctor

Bessie left high school to care for the home and the children.  She was a wonderful sister and more like a mother to her brothers and sisters.  She cared for them three years after Grandma’s death.  She married Lavelle Butt 21 December 1921 in the Salt Lake Temple.  

Lavelle, Bessie, Ardis, Vernell, and Lavelle Jr. 

They made their home in Roberts, Idaho.  To them were born three lovely children; Ardis, Vernell and Lavelle Jr.  Bessie died 22 December 1938 at the age of 37.

Grandpa moved back to Spanish Fork so it would be easier for the children to attend school.

It was now Annie’s turn to care for the family and the home.  Bill did his share in helping.  This was Annie’s lot while she was a senior in high school and a freshman at BYU.

William or Bill went to work at Magna.  Here he met Helen Meiers.  They were married 8 July 1927.  They had two lovely children; Gerald and Saundra.  Bill was foreman of one of the mills at Magna.  Bill died 16  October 1970 at the age 67.

Helen and Bill

School teaching was the profession Annie chose. She went from a grade school teacher to the Principal of the Lehi Elementary School, to the Primary Grade Supervisor of the Alpine School District.  She met George L. Jaynes while in Hawaii in 1941.  They were married 22 October 1943.  They were blessed with three lovely children; Vicki, Franklin, and Bruce.  They made our home in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Annie died 3 November 1986 at age 81.

George and Annie Caroline with children and grandchildren

George married Louella Poulson from Roberts, Idaho.  They had two children; Afton Ann and David.  Their marriage wasn't a success.  He married Elizabeth Staker (Libby) and they made their home in Salt Lake City.  George died 3 Mar 1981 at the age of 73.

Atha and Opal Staker

Atha married Alma Opal Staker in the Salt Lake Temple 22 May l929.  Jay, Dick, Donald, Carol, and Alan came to gladden the Staker home.  Atha died 7 Jan 1988 at age of 77.

Alan, Don, Carol, Dick, Jay standing
Atha and Opal seated

James (Jim) married VaNeta Branagan in the Salt Lake Temple 18 December 1935.  Donald, Dick, Carol, Gary, Philip, Margo, and Debbie blessed their home.  Jim died 23 May 1977 at age 64.

Ruth married Vergil Nelson Cook in the Salt Lake Temple 15 November 1938.  He died the following February 1939.  Franklin was born 31 August 1939.  Later Ruth married Vergil's brother, Cleo Earl Cook 20 December 1939 in the Salt Lake Temple.  To this union Theron, Joyce, Lois, George Kay, and Darrell were born.

Grandpa Proctor married Rosabelle Hall Helm in May 1923.  

Belle and Frank Proctor

She had a daughter Nellie who married Frank Johns of Spanish Fork.  Their children are Ross, Paul, June, and Lynn.  Aunt Belle and Nellie are sealed to Grandpa.  Aunt Belle died in 25 May 1936 at the age of 52.

Grandpa died 25 October 1958 at the age of  77.

I don’t remember a lot about my Grandpa Proctor.  I can remember visiting his home in Spanish Fork but I have no other memories of him.  Since Mother was raised by his brother, George Kidd Proctor, most of my memories of a Grandpa and Grandma Proctor are of George and Annie. 

I do remember mother saying that Grandpa Frank would bring meat, sugar and other supplies to George and Annie’s to help with taking care of Mother.

Franklin DH Proctor - Part Three

A young lady by the name Elizabeth Sarah Williams, my Grandmother, went to Great Grandpa Proctor’s home to work and keep house for him and his young children after the death of their mother.  Grandpa met her on one of his trips home.  It was love at first sight and they were married the following 2 May 1900 at Eureka, Juab, Utah.  He was 18 and she was 19.

Grandpa and Grandma returned to Colorado where Daddy was working at Camp Bird at Uray for a short time.

They soon returned to Eureka.  A tiny baby daughter came to gladden their home 26 December 1900.  The tiny baby daughter was named Bessie Vernell Proctor.

  On 22 April 1903 a son, William Thomas was born.

They left Eureka, Utah, as the lead was too much for Grandpa. 

Franklin DH, Elizabeth Sarah, Bessie and Bill Proctor

They made their home in Leland, Utah.  On 15 February 1905, Annie Caroline (Carol) joined the happy home.

They built the brick home on top of the hill, (later sold to Burts) here George Trevor Proctor was born 14 June 1907.

  They sold their little home and built the brick home across the road from Ephie and Carrie Peterson. (Later they sold this home to Earl Davis.) 

On February 1909 Grandpa was baptized at Spanish Fork, Utah, by Uncle John Williams (Grandma Proctor’s brother).  Grandpa and Bessie were baptized the same day.

On 22 October 1910, Mary Atha Proctor was born.

  They sold their home to Earl Davis and bought the Bill Lewis home.  James Franklin Proctor was born here 23 May 1913.

Grandpa and Grandma sold their home, ranch, cows, and all possessions and moved to a lovely home in Groveland, Idaho, a few miles from Blackfoot.  Grandpa’s brother, George, and his family moved to Idaho and settled in Wapello.

A bad year followed their move.  There wasn't a market for any of the crops.  It would cost more to market the crops than to leave them in the ground.  Grandpa was terribly discouraged.  He sold everything at a sacrifice.  He put his family and a few personal belongings in a covered wagon and in November 1914, he headed the team of horses back toward Utah.  It was a cold trip back home.  Grandpa and the boys slept on the ground and Grandma and the girls slept in the wagon.

One cold morning this side of Pocatello, Idaho, Grandpa froze his ears.  A man on a horse stopped at their camp fire to warm himself.  Icicles 5 to 6 inches long were hanging from the horses nostrils.  The entire front of the horse was covered with hoarfrost.  Annie Caroline walked from Inkom to McCammon, Idaho, a distance of 12 miles, to keep warm.

They had a hard time crossing the Malad Divide.  The roads were steep and very slippery.  Bessie, Bill, George and Annie walked beside the wagon.  When the horses would slip and fall to their knees, they would put rocks back of the wheels to keep the wagon from slipping backwards.

They  drove down Washington Avenue in Ogden, Utah, on Thanksgiving Day.  Everyone was dressed up for the occasion.  They wished the chickens wouldn't cackle.  They were riding in a cage which was hanging on the back of the wagon.  (They really were thankful for the chickens.  They kept us in eggs while we were on our trek.)  They arrived in Salt Lake City late Thanksgiving night and stayed at the home of Grandma Proctor’s oldest brother, Uncle George and Aunt Etta's home.  The next day they continued their trip on to Spanish Fork.

Once again the family settled in Spanish Fork, Utah.  They rented a home in the first ward for a short time.  The bought the Brimhall home just west out of the city limits on the Sugar Factory Road.

Alan Proctor was born 26 September 1916.  He gladdened their home for one short day.  He died 27 September 1916.

Grandma always wanted to move back to Leland, back to the friends she loved so dearly.  In 1917 they moved back to Leland and rented the Bowen home.  Ruth Elizabeth Proctor was born 16 November 1918.

  It was a broken hearted home the following 3 December 1918 when their dearly beloved Mother was called to the Great Beyond.  Annie remembers Grandpa putting his arms around them and drawing them near to him.  Under his kind and protecting care they knew he would be a Mother-Father to them.  (This he truly was.)  Their wonderful Mother had completed her mission here on earth.  Grandpa and his seven children must carry on.