DR. JOHN NELSON SPROWLS. The history of the Sprowls family in this country dates back to the close of the Revolutionary war, when John Sprowls, with his wife and nine children, left County Tyrone (or County Fermanagh), Ireland, for the United States, and made his home in Pennsylvania, near where Shippensburg now stands, and in what was known as the "Horseshoe Bend." He afterward moved to Finley township, this county, and settled on what is now known as the William Sprowls farm, near Good Intent, where he and his wife lived till their death. From this parent stock sprung the Sprowlses of now East and West Finley townships. John Sprowls, grandfather of Dr. J. N., was born in Ireland, and emigrated to this country with his parents. He was the third member in the family of nine children. Just prior to the removal of his parents and family from near Shippensburg to Washington county he was married to Margaret Graden. The Gradens came west with the Sprowlses, crossed the Ohio river and located near the present site of Steubenville, Jefferson Co., Ohio. John Sprowls and his wife settled on the farm where his son Alexander was born, and which he (Alexander) afterward bought and lived on until his death. After residing here for nearly eight years, John Sprowls and his family moved to the farm now owned by a grandson, Nelson Ealy, in East Finley township. Here the parents resided till their death. Their children were William, who lived and died a resident of East Finley township; Ellen, who married John Ealy, and lived and died on the old home place; Nancy who married John Rockyfellow; Alexander; James; Henry; Arthur; John; Nelson and Mary. The six younger sons bought land in West Finley township, near Burnsville, adjoining each other, where they resided until their death, excepting Arthur and Nelson, who remain as landmarks in the flight of time. This large family of ten children lived to own their own homes, and were enterprising, industrious and influential citizens, always foremost in educational and religious work. John Sprowls, father of Dr. John N., was born in 1818 on the old place (now the Ealy farm) in East Finley township, the eighth in a family of ten children. His parents died while he was young, and as a consequence he was at an early age thrown on his own resources. He worked for some years for his elder brothers, eventually saving enough to buy a farm. By perseverance and industrious habits he soon held a front rank with the young men of the neighborhood. He became a charter member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at Windy Gap, and was a ruling elder for many years. Till his death, which occurred August 3, 1870, he was looked upon by the people as one of the stanch men of this part of the county. On April 5, 1850, he was united in marriage to Mary Ann McNay, who was born March 18, 1825; she is a woman of inestimable traits of character, who did much toward the success which crowned her husband's efforts. She survives him, and divides her time between the old farm, dear to her from the hallowed memories of the past, and visiting her children, of whom there were eight, as follows: James M., born April 14, 1851; John Nelson, born September 14, 1852; Isaac N., born February 20, 1854 (he graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and died February 20, 1882); Leroy M., born December 22, 1856 (also graduated from Jefferson Medical College); Anna M., born February 26, 1858; Clara R., born September 24, 1859; Alexander H., born April 29, 1861 (he studied pharmacy, and is at present engaged in the retail drug business at Elgin, Ill.), and Lucy E., born June 23, 1863, died September 6, 1881. All those living are married and have homes of their own. James M. (the eldest in the family) graduated from Waynesburgh College, read law and was admitted to the bar of Washington county, and now resides in Washington, D. C. Dr. John Nelson Sprowls was educated in the common schools and at Oberlin College (Ohio). He read medicine with Dr. Silas C. McCracken, of Claysville, this county, entered Jefferson Medical College in 1875, and graduated from that institution in 1877. After graduating he practiced with his preceptor for one year, since when he has been following his chosen profession in Claysville. He takes a deep interest in his professional work, and keeps himself posted on all improvements and discoveries in medical science. When quite young he united with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church; and afterward with the Claysville Presbyterian Church, of which he is now a member. On March 7, 1878, Dr. Sprowls was united in marriage with Maggie M. McLain, daughter of Hon. Joseph R. McLain, and they have had three children: Joseph William, born May 6, 1882, who died November 27, 1884; John Wilson Irwin, born April 20, 1886, who died July 19, 1887, and George Milton, born October 3, 1888, who is the pride of his parents.

Text taken from page 580 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed February 1998 by Bettie Morrow of Bethel Park, PA as part of the Beers Project. Published February 1998 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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