Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens
Lawrence County Pennsylvania 1897
[p. 609] a medical practitioner of Pine Grove township, Pa., is a gentleman whose trained abilities and skilled resources have brought him into public notice and have won for him the regard, esteem, and respect that are justly due a man of his usefulness in the life of the community. The work of a physician, from its innate nature, is of the kind that brings him into the closest relationship with the people. The way in which he carries his heavy responsibilities is ever to the public a matter of the most vital importance. That Dr. Sproull knows fully the ethics of his profession, as well as the teachings, and every day of his life lives up to them, admits of no discussion. His high standing everywhere proves his fidelity to his patients' interests, and his success proves his talents.
Dr. Sproull is a native of Butler Co., Pa., being born in Clay township Jan. 6, 1847. His father was Hugh and his mother was Elizabeth (Smith) Sproull, the former being a native of Franklin township, and the latter of Cherry township. The paternal grandfather of the Doctor was John Sproull, a native of Ireland, who after his marriage emigrated to America and settled in Franklin township in the latter part of the 18th century. He pursued the vocation of farming, purchasing a tract of wild land, which he set about subduing to the wants of civilized man. He was in his day considered a very prosperous and well-informed man, and had much influence throughout his district. To his first wife, whom he had married in Ireland, four children were born: Robert; William; Hugh, the father of our subject; and Joseph. After the demise of his first wife Mr. Sproull wedded a Mrs. Kincaid, but this union was barren of children. Mr. Sproull reared his family in the faith of the Presbyterian Church.
Hugh Sproull, born in 1824, after he had imbibed all the learning that the common schools could impart, learned the trade of a carpenter and joiner. He then went to Cherry township, where he has resided ever since. His industries have been various. He through his active life worked at his craft, became the owner of a valuable farm of 200 acres, and for years superintended the operation of a grist-mill. Though to-day an aged man, he is a power and an influence in the township. Like his father he was twice married. His first wife, a Miss Elizabeth Smith, daughter of John Smith, gave birth to two children: Elizabeth J., the wife of C. S. Stoner of Butler, Pa., and John P., the subject of our sketch. She died Aug. 13, 1848. A few years later, Mr. Sproull married Sarah Glenn of Clay township, and by this union ten children came into the household, as follows: William S., now deceased; Eleanor G., also deceased; William J., who died while a medical student in the Cleveland Medical College; Ada, the wife of Jacob Rennick of Butler Co., Pa.; Andrew, who married Emma Christley of Butler Co.; Rella, the wife of Samuel Hindman of Branchton, Pa.; Everett, who is engaged in the grocery business in Chicago, Ill.; Ross, who wedded a Miss Hindman, and is a resident of Butler Co.; and Minnie, the consort of Rush Hockenbury, also of Butler Co., Pa. In politics, Mr. Sproull since the founding of the party has been a Republican. In church matters, the family are United Presbyterians.
Dr. John P. Sproull, our subject, first attended the public schools. Qualifying for the profession of a teacher, he followed that calling for seven years, during that period obtaining advanced instruction at the Sunbury Academy. Finishing the academic course and being graduated, he read medicine with Dr. Gibson of Cleveland, Ohio, for two years. Then he entered the Cleveland Medical College, and was graduated with high honors in 1877. His first field of practice was in Plain Grove, where he has since grown to be one of the most necessary and useful citizens of the community.
In 1867, he was united in the bonds of matrimony with Miss Lucinda J. Wasson, daughter of William Wasson of Sunbury. Unto them were born six children, three of whom survive. Those living are: Millie E., the wife of Dr. J. E. Magee of Salem, Venango Co., Pa., and the mother of two children, Frank and an infant named Mary Mabel; William A., a student, now attending the Dental College at Cleveland, Ohio; and Ada M., who is living at home. In social affairs, the Doctor is none the less active than in his professional duties. He is devoted to the United Presbyterian Church, and is a member of the Sessions. In medical circles, he is one of the best-known physicians of the Lawrence County Medical Society. Politically, he was a Republican, but of late has been a strong temperance man, and a follower of the Prohibition party. In spite of a life filled to the utmost with the many cares and duties of a general practice, Dr. Sproull has kept in step with the wonderful advances made by his profession during late years. He is pre-eminently of a studious turn of mind, and his reading covers an extensive field over and beyond the actual needs of his vocation. He is fortunate in his home surroundings and in the fact that his life work has been among a people who know well how to appreciate real worth and honest endeavor.
Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens Lawrence County Pennsylvania
Biographical Publishing Company, Buffalo, N.Y., 1897
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Updated: 23 Jul 2001