By Dan McCaffery for the Sarnia Observer
George Proctor would likely have gone down in history as a great Sarnian even if he’d never been elected Mayor.
That’s because in addition to being the Community’s 28th Chief Magistrate, he was a successful builder, the first President of the Sarnia Humane Society and one of the founders of the local Children’s Aid Society.
If all that wasn’t enough, he also served as Warden of Lambton County Council and as Chair of the local Public School Board.
Born in Moore Township on November 24, 1842, Proctor got his first job in his father’s Corunna saw mill.
Moving to Sarnia in 1876, he became a highly successful contractor and builder. In fact, he was involved in the construction of literally scores of important public buildings in Sarnia and across the Province.
According to a contemporary newspaper account, in Sarnia alone Proctor” constructed St. George’s Church, Sarnia General Hospital, the Devine Street School, the old Collegiate Institute and the Railway Station”.
Elected to Town Council in 1880, he served for parts of two decades as a Councillor. In 19O1, white sitting on Lambton County Council, he was elected Warden.
Proctor ran for Mayor in 1907, beating out D.B. Bentley by 105 votes.
He quickly gained a reputation as forceful Chair who wouldn’t allow bombastic Aldermen to engage in long-winded speeches. The Observer reported he routinely wrapped up sessions in short order. Under the headline ‘Mayor Proctor a Record Setter’, the newspaper noted he had become the first Mayor to complete a regular Council Meeting in less than an hour. “Nevertheless, a large amount of Town business was transacted”, it said.
Mayor Proctor presided over the Council that attracted two new industries (a match factory and a chain-making company) to Town.
He was re-elected Mayor in 1908, beating out the luckless Bentley by a scant 21 votes.
After leaving Council, Proctor served as Chair of the Public School Board for five years. During that time, the Board built Lochiel Street School and Confederation Street School. Plans were also laid for a new Sarnia Collegiate building.