WILLIAM W. SPROWLS, M. D., the leading physician of Houstonville, Penn., is a son of William and Margaret (Mitchell) Sprowls. The parents were natives of Washington county, Penn., and seven children were born to them, namely: Hiram (deceased), Sarah Ellen, Mary Jane, Margaret Melissa, William W., Mark Mitchell and Arthur Melville. Dr. William W. Sprowls were born March 30, 1852, on the old place in Bentleyville, Washington county. At the age of seventeen he began teaching school, continuing in that profession for twelve years. He then began reading medicine with McCarrell &McElroy, of Hickory, this county, and graduating at the Western Reserve University of Cleveland, in the spring of 1844, began to practice that profession at McConnell’s Mill, Chartiers township. For nine years before practicing medicine he was engaged in the grocery business, and as postmaster at McConnell’s Mill, this county. In 1886 he located at Houstonville, this county, and in addition to his practice took a half interest in a drug store with J. W. Lyle. They dissolved partnership during the autumn of 1887, and the following year Dr. Sprowls was given the care of the County Children’s Homes. He was appointed in 1892 as successor to Dr. Weirich. Dr. Sprowls is a member on the I. O. O. F., is connected with the Jr. O. U. A.M., and is identified with the Washington county Medical Society. On October 8, 1874, he was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of Archie and Nancy (Wilson) Wylie, and five children have blessed their marriage, namely: Nannie Margretta, Willie Wylie, Lloyd Sumney, Gemella Mary and one deceased in infancy. Dr. and Mrs. Sprowls are members of the M. E. Church.

Text taken from page 543 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed May 1997 by LuShelle Fletcher of Grand Island, NE as part of the Beers Project. Published May 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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