Settler George Green created the town of Lincoln in 1870. He named it after the county. "Center" was added to its name to indicate its location in the central part of the county. County residents initially voted to place the county seat in Lincoln Center. However, elections in November 1870 led to the seat being moved to nearby Abram. This started a county seat war. Another vote in February 1872 reversed the switch, and Lincoln Center became the permanent county seat. The people moved all the buildings in Abram to Lincoln, combining the two communities. In 1879, the town was incorporated as the city of Lincoln Center. It is still officially called "Lincoln Center" in the United States Census. However, both the city government and local chamber of commerce call the city Lincoln. It shows as "Lincoln" on state maps and signs.