"Another lawyer who commenced practice in Athol early in the century, was Joseph Proctor. He was born in Littleton, Mass., Feb. 11, 1766, and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1791. In 1811, he married Mary Orcutt of Templeton. His house stood in the corner of the roads at the junction of what is now Main and School streets, near the lot now owned by Mrs. F. C, Parmenterm and his office was a small building located on what is now the Music hall lot at the Highlands, About 1812, there seemed to be more enterprise starting in town, and the town offered to give Mr. Proctor that spot of land where his office was located, and which was then a ledge of rocks, if he would build a residence upon it. Accordingly, he began the task of clearing this ledge away, at a great expense, and built a substantial, square, brick house, which was removed to make room for the erection of Music Hall. Mr. Proctor was a man of strict integrity, of few words, but sound judgment, and his counsel was considered of great worth in his profession, and was sought by the people from all the surrounding towns. He was prominent in town and political affairs; was one of the committee chosen by the town in 1808, to draw up a petition to the President of the United States for the repealing of the laws laying an embargo, served as moderator at town meetings, was one of the selectmen. Representative to the Legislature in 1819, and postmaster from 1809 to 1822. He died in August, 1822, of paralysis."
