Vicissimus Knox Phar changed the spelling of his name from Pharr. Vicissimus was the son of Ephraim Pharr and Jane maiden name unknown. Ephraim was born abt. 1765 in Pennsylvania the family moved to Mecklenburg C. NC. where Vicissimus was born. From there they moved to Sumner C. Tennessee. From there Vicissimus moved to Posey C. Indiana and then to Salem Iowa. Vicissimus was a Presbyterian Minister as was his father. Vicissimus was against Slavery and wrote to his brother Samuel who owned Slaves about it. Samuel was also a Presbyterian Minister. A brother James was also a Presbyterian Minister and would venture so were several more of the brothers. James and Samuel were in the war of 1812 and at the battle of New Orleans with General Jackson.Some info on this from the book Pharrs and Farrs.
Ephraim's parents were Ephraim Pharr and Hanna Lewis. Ephraim had another wife Margaret Dickerson who had been married to a Hamilton. I hope this is of some help?