Henry County Mysteries
Russ Patterson

A good way to study history or your family history is to become a history detective. A history detective can look at a picture ofr an antique and see things that other people don't see. A history detective knows where to find information on a subject he is trying to research. For Henry County history the three volumes of history compiled by the Historical Society in 1975-1977 is an excellent source of information. The local library also has the local newspapers on microfilm when you are researching a specific year.

Henry County Mystery #1 is:

How did the Maumee River get its name? Contrary to the old timers' tale of French traders overhearing an Indian child calling "Mau-me" to his mother who was on the ohter side of the river, this did not name the river. The river was named by French traders however, but for another reason. According to Dr. Charles Slocum in his book, History of the Maumee River Basin, published in 1905, the French traders did encounter Indians along the river. The French traders understood that the name of the tribe of Indians was Me-ah-me, and referred to the river as Riviere des Miamis. Later the people who settled in this region pronounced the name in two syllables as Mau-mee.

Henry County Mystery #2 is:

How did Napoleon, Ohio, get its name? In the book, History of Henry and Fulton Counties, published in 1888, it is stated that "the proprietors of Napoleon, namely Horatio G. Phillips, Benjamin Leavell, and Elnathan Cory called this place Napoleon. Why is a question not to be demonstrated or solved at this time." The original plat of Napoleon, Ohio was recorded on October 15, 1834. This date can be considered Napoleon's official birthday. Elnathan Cory, one of the proprietors of Napoleon, was a land speculator. In 1836 he established the towns of Marengo and Austerlitz. Both of these towns were short lived and failed. These two towns were named after two famous battles won by Napoleon Bonaparte. Apparently Elnathan Cory was fascinated by the life of Napoleon Bonaparte and convinced his partners to name their new town "Napoleon".