596327

[phelps.FTW]

[Brøderbund WFT Vol. 22, Ed. 1, Tree #2589, Date of Import: Dec 1, 1998]

William Proctor was born of Revolutionary parentage in Mass., learned the tanner's trade and was a volunteer in the War of 1812.

William and Laura (Phelps, Warren) Proctor moved to Lewistown, Illinois with Laura's daughter Juliette Warren in 1825. He was first a Congregationalist and later a life-long Presbyterian. He helped to form the first Presbyterian church in Lewistown and was an elder until his death.

After forming the church body, the church did not have a place to worship and for the first two years met in member's homes. The first mention of a church building is February 22, 1839 when the session met that afternoon. The first church for regular worship was built by William Proctor and was used by the Presbyterians. The building had been used by the Episcopal Methodists. The building was equipped with benches, without backs and the men sat on one side of the building while the women sat on the other side. Although bare, the church seemed luxurious to the sturdy pioneers. William Proctor would go around the area and pick up the members in his ox-cart so they could attend the church service.

Because the membership increased, a new and larger church was started in the summer of 1855. Many of the members worked on the church. The tall trees were planted in the front by Myron Phelps. On Sunday, August 10, 1856, the basement of the church was first used for worship. The finished building was dedicated October 25, 1856. Two years later a parsonage was built. Every few years, repairs and improvements have been done on the building..

Eventually the congregation wanted an organ and with the help of Henry Willis Phelps and donations from the members, a church organ was installed and dedicated in memory of Henry's wife Elizabet in 1907.

William Proctor may have died January 21, 1879.