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Subject: Part 2 History of Van Wert
Date: Sun, 22 May 2005 23:00:46 EDT

Part 2

Just what sentiment entered into the selection of the name, is perhaps not
known by anyone now living. Neither have I been able to ascertain definitely
why the name was changed within a few years to Prairieville or Prairie City.
Some people claim that those two names were used interchangeably and were
applied to the same town during the same period of time. Others that it was
first Prairie City, then Prairieville, still others the other way round,
Prairieville and then Prairie City. There came a time, however, when the name
because of post office complications, was again changed, this time at suggestion
of Adam Johnson, a then prominent citizen of this little village, to Van
Wert. I understand that he wished it thus in honor of Van Wert, Ohio, the town
of his Nativity.

The first post office in this new town was kept by Mr. Irving in his own
home. The first store by James Taylor, a relative of Lambert Taylor, before
mentioned. This store was located in a log building that sto od near where the
back end of what is now Davy Jones oil station, and faced the north. There
was another store soon after, located near wher Mr. Owens; barber shop now is,
operated by Geo. Bigford. Still another on a parcel of ground near where
the bank building now stands, but I have not been able to ascertain the name of
the first owner.

The first blacksmith shop, a very necessary part of every pioneer town, was
erected by an Irishman by the name of Gallagher. The shop was located at the
extreme south end of the row of surveyed lots and was very near where Billy
Fry now resides. Mr. Gallagher was followed in this shop by a Mr. Medkiff,
he in turn by Frank Manuel, and still later by Steve Mills, whom many of our
citizens still remember.

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