404 PROUTY. PUTNAM. tion, 1S69, has served as secretary two years, vice-president five years, and presi- dent three years. He was Massachusetts delegate to the second convention at Cin- cinnati, of the National Editorial Associa- tion, 1886, and a member of the executive committee for 1887 ; and also a delegate to the fourth convention, which met at San Antonio, Texas, 18S9. The energy and perseverance of Mr. Procter have been severely taxed during his business career. Three times the busi- ness has been burned out, in the fires of [853, '64 and '73. Mr. Procter has been quite a traveler, has seen much of his na- tive land, and as a writer has contributed interesting sketches of his visits to Ber- muda, California, and Mexico. He is an enterprising, industrious and public-spir- ited citizen. PROUTY, DAVID, son of David and Abigail (Bisco) Prouty, was born in Spen- cer, Worcester county, October 18, 1813. The usual attendance in the common schools in those days, with two terms at the academy, gave him his preparatory education. Mr. Prouty was a farmer in early life, and later was in the wine business a few years. In 1852 he became interested in the manufacture of boots, with Charles E. Denny and John G. Prouty. In 1S54, upon the death of John G. Prouty, and the retirement of Mr. Denny on account of ill health, John Boyden was taken into partnership. He soon retired and Isaac L. Prouty was associated as a partner in 1859. This relation continued until 1S76, when the subject of this sketch retired from active business. While never a politician, he has been called to serve his town, county and state in various official capacities — has held the office of selectman and assessor several terms ; was a representative to the General Court in 1876 ; is vice-president of the Spencer National Bank, and one of the vice-presidents of the Spencer Savings Bank. Mr. Prouty is widely known as a man of high moral character, unquestioned in- tegrity, and quiet but systematic benevo- lence. His generosity shuns any approach toward ostentation. He has always been specially interested in every educational movement that promised to be beneficial. He is now erecting a high school building, that when completed and furnished for school use will be a gift to the town of Spencer, at a cost not far from forty-five thousand dollars. Mr. Prouty was married in Spencer, in January, 1840, to Caroline, daughter of Dr. Jonas and Persis (Bemis) Guilford. Mrs. Prouty died in November, 1863. Mr. Prouty was again married, to Mrs. Sarah B. Denny, sister of his first wife. She died in June, 1873. He has had but one child, Jonas G. Prouty, who died in July, 1864. PUTNAM, ADRIAN LOUIS, son of Ad- rian and Fanny (Flint) Putnam, was born in Danvers, Essex county, August 29, i 8 34- He passed through all the grades of public schools in Danvers, including the Holten high school. He was graduated from the state normal school at Bridge- water, in 1856. From 1856 to '60 he was engaged in teaching in Provincetown and Danvers. He began the business of jeweler and stationer in Provincetown, July, 1862, under the firm name of Atkins & Putnam. lie has continued in the business the last twenty-four years under the firm title of A. L. Putnam & Co. Mr. Putnam was married in Province- town, December 18, i860, to Addie O., daughter of Henry and Abigail (Rich) Cook. Of this union are two children : Nellie Flint and Abbie Cook Putnam. Mr. Putnam has held the chairmanship of both town and county Republican commit- tees, the former for ten years ; has been treasurer of the Masonic lodge for nine- teen years ; officer of the Royal Arcanum, Knights of Honor, and Royal Good Fellows since their formation in Provincetown. He is a trustee, and has been a member, of the board of investment in the savings bank for the last ten years ; a trustee of the public library building ; a member of the school board twenty-five years ; and is agent for the Commonwealth Loan & Trust Company of Boston. PUTNAM, ARTHUR A., son of Elias and Eunice (Ross) Putnam, was born in Dan- vers, Essex county, November 18, 1829. He obtained his early education in the district schools of his native town, and at the academies of Westfield, and Thetford and West Randolph, Vt. In the meantime he taught school in Danvers, Boxford and Brookline. Fitting for college, he entered Dartmouth in 1852, but left after completing the sophomore year. He studied law at the Dane law school, Cambridge, and in the offices of the late S. B. Ives, of Salem, and of Culver, Parker & Arthur (the late President Ar- thur), of New York City.
