Brown Family Tree - Person Sheet
Brown Family Tree - Person Sheet
NameElizabeth N Widney 
, F
, FSpouses
1Jesse Porter Sprowls , M
, MBirth Date11 Mar 1845
Birth PlaceEast Finley, PA
Death Date9 May 1898 Age: 53
Death PlaceSalem, IL
OccupationMinister, Cumberland Presbyterian Church, OH
EducationWaynesburg College, Amherst Theological Seminary
FatherCyrus Siras Sprowls , M (1815-1880)
MotherPhobe Post , F
Marr Date16 Apr 1872
Notes for Jesse Porter (Spouse 1)
REV JESSE PORTER SPROWLS DD
The influence weilded by a gentleman of upright character and noble life is immeasurable, and particularly so if he has a cultured mind and genial manners. There is no profession affording a wider scope for the exercise of the noblest attributes of character than that of the ministry, and he who labors to promote the spiritual welfare of mankind is justly entitled to a high rank among his fellow men. Such an one is the subject of this sketch who is pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Salem and through whose efforts new life has been infused into the church, the membership increased and the good accomplished largely enhanced. A man of earnest practical nature he is greatly beloved not alone by his parishioners, but also by the members of other denominations.
From the genealogical record of the Sprowls family we learn that our subject's grandfather James Sprowls was born in the North of Ireland of Scotch Irish descent and emigrating to America settled in East Finley Washington County Pa where his son Cyrus was born January 23 1815. The latter grew to manhood upon a farm and in the county of his birth marrica Miss Phoebe J daughter of Jeremiah Post and a native of the same county. A prominent man in his community he held both township and county offices and always an earnest advocate of all measures in behalf of the people He and his were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in which he served as Class leader and Steward He was called from earth passing away in August 1880 His wife preceded him many years, and died in July 1849. There were three children in the family: Jesse P., Mary A., and a half brother Milton R.
In East Finley Washington County Pa the subject of this sketch was born March 11 1845. He was educated at Waynesburg College Waynesburg Pa graduating from that institution in 1868. It had been his intention to enter the legal prosession but realizing and responding to a higher call he decided to devote his life to the preaching of the Gospel He entered the Andover Theological Seminary Andover Mass after completing his literary studies and was graduated from that college in 1871. His first charge was at Lebanon Ohio where his pastorate commenced October 1, 1871, and continued until January, 1883. He then removed to Nashville Tenn where he became pastor of the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church His labors in that city were crowned with most gratifying success but a severe attack of nervous prostration caused him to resign his charge in October 1887 Believing that his health would be benefited by removing to a smaller place he came to Salem in 1887 and has since been pastor of the church here.
The lady whom Mr Sprowls married April 16 1872 was formerly Miss Elizabeth N Widney who is a highly accomplished lady being a graduate of the Female Seminary at Waynesburg Pa Her parents were Dr John R and Elizabeth Boggs Widney the former a native of Baltimore Md a graduate of the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia and for many years a practitioner in Pennsylvania Mr and Mrs Sprowls are the parents of two children Carl Widney and Harold Leigh.
Socially Mr Sprowls is a member of the Masonic order and is Chaplain of the blue lodge and chapter of Salem. He is also identified with the Nashville Commandery No 1 KT of Nashville Tenn and filled the office of Grand Prelate of the Grand Commandery of the state of Tennessee in 1885 86 He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum. During the years 1889-91 he filled the Chair of Hebrew and the Evidences of Christianity in the Waynesburg Pa Gollege in which responsible position he rendered distinguished service. In the spring of 1883 the degree of DD was conferred upon him by the Cumberland University of Lebanon Tenn.
One of the most active workers and ministers in his denomination Dr Sprowls recognized as an influential factor in its progress and in all the assemblies and synods of the church his advice is consulted and his opinion on subjects referred to Frequently he has offered a professorship or the presidency of educational institution connected with the but with the exception above he has always declined the proffered honor In the denominational periodicals he maintains deep interest and is an occasional contributor articles connected with the work of the church. Both in the pulpit and in private life he is a and earnest champion of the truths of and by his honorable life and kindly has proved himself to be a consistent disciple. To the poor he is a friend and the destitute never appeal to him in vain.
The influence weilded by a gentleman of upright character and noble life is immeasurable, and particularly so if he has a cultured mind and genial manners. There is no profession affording a wider scope for the exercise of the noblest attributes of character than that of the ministry, and he who labors to promote the spiritual welfare of mankind is justly entitled to a high rank among his fellow men. Such an one is the subject of this sketch who is pastor of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Salem and through whose efforts new life has been infused into the church, the membership increased and the good accomplished largely enhanced. A man of earnest practical nature he is greatly beloved not alone by his parishioners, but also by the members of other denominations.
From the genealogical record of the Sprowls family we learn that our subject's grandfather James Sprowls was born in the North of Ireland of Scotch Irish descent and emigrating to America settled in East Finley Washington County Pa where his son Cyrus was born January 23 1815. The latter grew to manhood upon a farm and in the county of his birth marrica Miss Phoebe J daughter of Jeremiah Post and a native of the same county. A prominent man in his community he held both township and county offices and always an earnest advocate of all measures in behalf of the people He and his were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in which he served as Class leader and Steward He was called from earth passing away in August 1880 His wife preceded him many years, and died in July 1849. There were three children in the family: Jesse P., Mary A., and a half brother Milton R.
In East Finley Washington County Pa the subject of this sketch was born March 11 1845. He was educated at Waynesburg College Waynesburg Pa graduating from that institution in 1868. It had been his intention to enter the legal prosession but realizing and responding to a higher call he decided to devote his life to the preaching of the Gospel He entered the Andover Theological Seminary Andover Mass after completing his literary studies and was graduated from that college in 1871. His first charge was at Lebanon Ohio where his pastorate commenced October 1, 1871, and continued until January, 1883. He then removed to Nashville Tenn where he became pastor of the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church His labors in that city were crowned with most gratifying success but a severe attack of nervous prostration caused him to resign his charge in October 1887 Believing that his health would be benefited by removing to a smaller place he came to Salem in 1887 and has since been pastor of the church here.
The lady whom Mr Sprowls married April 16 1872 was formerly Miss Elizabeth N Widney who is a highly accomplished lady being a graduate of the Female Seminary at Waynesburg Pa Her parents were Dr John R and Elizabeth Boggs Widney the former a native of Baltimore Md a graduate of the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia and for many years a practitioner in Pennsylvania Mr and Mrs Sprowls are the parents of two children Carl Widney and Harold Leigh.
Socially Mr Sprowls is a member of the Masonic order and is Chaplain of the blue lodge and chapter of Salem. He is also identified with the Nashville Commandery No 1 KT of Nashville Tenn and filled the office of Grand Prelate of the Grand Commandery of the state of Tennessee in 1885 86 He is also a member of the Royal Arcanum. During the years 1889-91 he filled the Chair of Hebrew and the Evidences of Christianity in the Waynesburg Pa Gollege in which responsible position he rendered distinguished service. In the spring of 1883 the degree of DD was conferred upon him by the Cumberland University of Lebanon Tenn.
One of the most active workers and ministers in his denomination Dr Sprowls recognized as an influential factor in its progress and in all the assemblies and synods of the church his advice is consulted and his opinion on subjects referred to Frequently he has offered a professorship or the presidency of educational institution connected with the but with the exception above he has always declined the proffered honor In the denominational periodicals he maintains deep interest and is an occasional contributor articles connected with the work of the church. Both in the pulpit and in private life he is a and earnest champion of the truths of and by his honorable life and kindly has proved himself to be a consistent disciple. To the poor he is a friend and the destitute never appeal to him in vain.