The completion of the Miami and Erie Canal through Napoleon in 1843 gave the community a way to receive manufactured goods, export farm products, and power local mills, leading to the development of a mid-19th-century industrial waterfront. Early businesses that relied on canal water included Sayger's Saw-mill in 1843, John Ritter Flouring Mill in 1850, Augustin Pilliod's Napoleon Flouring Mill in 1853, and the Napoleon Woolen Mill in 1863. These mills used flumes, or artificial channels, to divert canal water to their water wheels, and the brick-arch flumes helped bring Napoleon into the national economy. Founded in 1834, Napoleon nearly had its name changed to Henry in 1853 during a movement to Americanize place names, and village commissioners approved the change in March of that year. In five issues that autumn, the Napoleon North West newspaper gave its location as Henry, Ohio, but Augustin Pilliod opposed the measure while beginning construction of his three-story flouring mill on Front Street. On October 10, 1853, the day a mayor and councilmen were to be elected for the newly incorporated village of Henry, Pilliod and other opponents staged a demonstration that blocked both the election and the name change. The village of Napoleon was finally incorporated in 1863.