Two very special men saluted Monday: King and Sproul

We will honor two very important men on Monday.

One you likely know about; the other you probably don't.

Once again the county, region and nation will take part in a Day of Service to mark the holiday honoring the spirit of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

You can see a list of Delco events here.

But Monday also will make a very special anniversary.

It was on Jan. 21, 1919, that William Sproul was sworn in as governor of Pennsylvania.

Who was William Sproul?

Does Sproul Road sound familiar? The Olde Sproul shopping village?

That's right, William Sproul was the only Delco resident to ever be elected governor of Pennsylvania.

Sproul actually was born in Lancaster County, before his family moved to Chester. He graduated from Chester High School and Swarthmore College.

Sproul became one of the icons of Chester and Delaware County business before he went into politics.

He also was a newspaperman, being president of this newspaper's predecessor, the Chester Daily Times.

He became the youngest person ever elected to the state Senate, serving the 9th District from from 1897 to 1919.

It is Sproul who is widely credited with the legislation setting up the state highway system.

Sproul was elected governor in 1918 and served one term.

He had visions of an even higher office, being a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination in 1920. He was unsuccessful in that bid and declined the opportunity to be on the ticket as vice president with Warren Harding.

Make sure you pick up the Daily Times Monday for a special profile of the only Delaware County resident ever elected governor of Pennsylvania.

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