Background
Procter died in Cincinnati. His son William Alexander Procter and grandson William Cooper served as company presidents.
Procter died in Cincinnati. His son William Alexander Procter and grandson William Cooper served as company presidents.
Procter entered into business in 1818 and was connected with the clothing industry in London in the late 1820's. In 1827, he became acquainted with William Hooper, who urged him to emigrate to America. Procter arrived in the United States in 1830 and began to manufacture candles in New York City. He moved west with his first wife, Martha Peat Procter. She died during their westward journey in Cincinnati, Ohio. Planning only on staying for a short while before resuming his relocation plans, he decided to stay and spent the remainder of his life there. He then married Olivia Norris in 1833 and was convinced by his father-in-law, Alexander Norris, to enter into a partnership with his brother-in-law, James Gamble. They established the Procter and Gamble Company in 1837. By 1859, sales reached $1 million. In the 1880's, the company began to manufacture Ivory soap and profits grew to enormous proportions. His son, William A. Procter, succeeded him as the company's president.