General Notes

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William A Prestridge served in the Civil War.
He, his wife, Ruth  and three children camt to Texas in the wagon tra
in th at arrived in Johnson County December 8, 1866.  They settled in t
he Barnsv ille community, south-east of Alvarado.  Mr. Prestridge establis
hed the Pr estridge Drug  Store at Barnesville, where the business continu
ed until  a bout 1900.  At that time, he, Cousin Will moved the Prestrid
ge Drug Sto re to Alvarado where he had a good business.  Dr. Bunyan G. Pr
estridge h ad his office up stairs in the back office over the drug store.
There was a soda fountain, with metal tables and chairs to serve cold dr
in ks and ice cream, which was a gathering place for the young people.
When Rachel started to school, she would wait for Papa to pi
ck h er up  at the drug store, when he was late picking her up from scho
ol .  T here was a bench built on the wall by the front door where she s
at to st ay out of the way.  They were sweet to her.
Mr. Prestridge sold the store to L. H. Lewis in about 1922, and abo
ut a ye ar later Mr. Leary bought Mr. Lewis out.  Rachel and Lleta still m
ade t he drug store their waiting place if Papa failed to pick them up aft
er sch ool.
Clark Prestridge opened a Confectionery in the next block east of the F
ir st National Bank.   He sold cold drinks and ice cream.  Later he so
ld t he business to Eddy McLeroy.