Oliver Thoroman Sproull, M.D.
Oliver Thoroman Sproull, M. D., of Bentonville. Ohio, was born January 5, 1863. near Dunkinsville, Ohio, on the farm now occupied by his parents. Robert C. and Sarah (Thoroman) Sproull.
William Sproull, great-grandfather of our subject, was a Scotchman by birth, but emigrated to County Tyrone, Ireland, from whence he embarked for America, August 1, 1793. on the Brig "Cunningham," sailing for North Carolina. The brig was twice overhauled on the voyage by pirates sailing under the colors of French Men-of-War. The passengers lost all of their belongings except a few pieces of gold that Mrs. Sproull had concealed in her hat. One of these "pirate" vessels proved to be an American privateersman from Baltimore, where the Sproulls and their confiscated goods were brought to instead of North Carolina, the destination of the "Cunningham." Mr. Sproull, being a Free Mason and finding friends in Baltimore, was enabled to recover that part of his property, consisting of Irish linen. They landed in Baltimore, October 3, 1793, and settled at Elliot's Mills, near Baltimore, where they remained a few years, and then moved to Wythe County, Virginia. Their family were Hazlet, who married Elizabeth Fergus, and after his death, she married Joseph Montgomery, Jr.. brother of Robert's wife ; Robert, grandfather of our subject; Rosa, married William Russell; Margaret, married a Hines; Mary, married William Crissman.
Robert Sproull, grandfather of our subject, was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, March 17, 1777, and came to America with his parents. He married Anna Montgomery, daughter of Joseph Montgomery, Sr., and Rachel (Ramsey) Montgomery, of Wythe County, Virginia. Rhoda Montgomery, daughter of Joseph Montgomery. Sr., married William Glasgow, and removed to George's Creek, Adams County, Ohio. Some time prior to 1822, the Sproull family came and settled in the same neighborhood in order to be near their relatives. Robert Sproull resided there until 1826, when he removed to Brush Creek on the farm where Robert C. Sproull, his son, and father of our subject, still resides.
Robert C. Sproull was born on George's Creek, in 1824. He married Sarah Thoroman and both are still living on the old Sproull farm near Dunkinsville, Ohio.
Dr. Sproull, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the farm, receiving a common school education until the age of eighteen. He attended the Normal school of West Union, Ohio, and the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio. He began teaching in 1881 and continued for theree years. He began the study of medicine under Dr. Dan Ellison, of Dunkinsville, and attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Baltimore, Maryland, graduating March 15, 1886. After practicing with Dr. Ellison, at Dunkinsville, until September of the same year, he located at Bentonville, Ohio, where he is still engaged in the practice of his profession.
He was married August 22, 1888, to Agnes B., daughter of William and Melissa (Thoroman) Traber, of the Traber Tavern on Lick Fork. They have two children living, Clarence Traber, aged seven years, and Hazel, a babe.
The Doctor is a Democrat in politics and wields considerable influence in local political affairs. He was elected Clerk of Sprigg Township in 1896, and again elected in 1898. As a physician, he is rapidly rising in his profession, being an earnest student and tireless worker, while his integrity and moral principles make him a valued citizen.
From "History of Adams County, Ohio from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time" - by Nelson W. Evans and Emmons B. Stivers - West Union, Ohio - Published by E. B. Stivers - 1900