EDWIN F. SPHAR. One of the worthy native sons of Roscoe, Washington county, is Edwin F. Sphar, who after spending the early years of his life in agricultural pursuits is now one of the enterprising and successful business men of Roscoe. He has not been an idle spectator of the wonderful development of this locality but has contributed his quota to the business prosperity and the general upbuilding of the community.
Mr. Sphar was born on the old Sphar homestead farm, where Roscoe now stands, in February, 1871, the son of Henry C. and Hannah Rebecca (McElhiney) Sphar. His father was born at Twilight, Pennsylvania, February 4, 1844, and is now living at Roscoe, at the age of eighty-one years, a retired farmer. He laid out the original town of Lucyville, now Roscoe, and thus gave an impetus to the early growth and development of the place. He is a republican inpolitics and is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been a trustee for over thirty years. His parents were John and Lucy Ann (Scott) Sphar, the former of whom died at Twilight, Allen township. He was a farmer by occupation; and he named the hamlet of Lucyville in honor of his wife, who was a native of this county and died at Twilight. He was a member and lay preacher of the Methodist Episcopal church, while his political faith was that of the republican party. His father was John Sphar, who came to Allen township and acquired the land which subsequently became so valuable. The subject's mother was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, and is now living in their comfortable home in Roscoe. She is the daughter of Will¬ iam McElhiney, a native of Ireland, who on coming to this country located on land in Armstrong county, which he farmed during the remainder of his active life, dying at his home there. He was a member of the Protestant Episcopal church and was a republican in his political views.
Edwin F. Sphar was educated in the public schools of Lucyville and remained on the home farm with his father until he had attained his majority, when he engaged in the feed business in Roscoe. He was successful and continued the business alone until 1918, when he formed a partnership with A. C. Endeman, under the firm name of E. F. Sphar & Company, and they have continued the business to the present time. They carry a large and complete stock and enjoy a very gratifying trade throughout this locality. Mr. Sphar is vice president and a director of the First National Bank of Roscoe, a director of the Citizen's Water Company of Roscoe and treasurer of the Bell Fuel & Coal Company, of Jefferson, Greene county. At one time Mr. Sphar gave considerable attention to race horses, owning three valuable animals, one of which, Teddy B., paced a mile in 2:121/4 and was in many free-for-all paces during that season, racing at Butler, Kittanning, Morgantown, Belle Vernon, Carmichael, Youngwood and other tracks. Fraternally Mr. Sphar is a member of Gummert Lodge No.252, Free and Accepted Masons, Fayette City, Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania Consistory, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, and Syria Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, at Pittsburgh. He also belongs to the Roscoe Chamber of Commerce and the Lincoln Club, of Roscoe.
On September 17, 1895, at Charleroi, Mr. Sphar was married to Miss Anna D. Anderson, who was born September 19, 1871, the daughter of James and Hannah (Fleming) Anderson, the former of whom was killed by a railroad train at Roscoe. He was a hotel keeper, a confectioner and a baker and was highly respected throughout the community. In his political views he was a democrat and he was a member of the Presbyterian church. His wife was a native of England and her death occurred in Roscoe. Mrs. Sphar, who possesses many gracious qualities of character, was educated in the public schools of Roscoe. She is a member and is very active in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church, and she is a member of Charleroi Chapter No.122, Order of the Eastern Star, and president of the Martha Washington Club, of Roscoe. Mr. Sphar is a man of modest and unassuming demeanor but possesses a force of character that has gained for him the respect and confidence of the entire community, where he has lived and labored to worthy ends.