Memoirs of Waukesha County. From the earliest historical times to the present with chapters on various subjects, including each of the different towns, and a genealogical and biographical record of representative families in the county, prepared from data obtained from original sources of information.

              MEMOIRS  OF WAUKESHA  COUNTY 61
There is another theory, advanced by Augustin Grignon, the old French settler at Green Bay, viz., that in the vicinity of Milwaukee was found an aromatic root which was used for medicinal purposes, and so far as the Indians knew, was confined to that locality. He says that the Chippewas would give a beaver skin for a piece as large as a man's finger. From this circumstance the name was derived, "man-a- wa' nieaning "root," and ''man-a-wa-kee/' place of the root. Grignon mentions the other derivation but does not place much confidence in it. He gives no suggestion as to what the root was, but placed more emphasis upon its aromatic than upon its medicinal qualities, and the fact that it was used with other medicines to disguise un¬ pleasant flavors. M. Gaudin, quoted by Father Verwyst, also refers Milwaukee in the original to the Chippewa language, as ''Minzvaki/' meaning "good land," and says in support of his theory that in Chip¬ pewa the letter "n" is used instead of "1," the latter not being found in pure Chippewa words. Mr. Gernoe derives Milwaukee from "mine- waki" (pronounced mee-nai-wau-kee) meaning "a promontory," having reference to the high point of land, known to the early settlers as "Walker's Point." The name is also said to be irom"maunanwaukee/' "place of the gathering of multitudes." Out of all these conflicting authorities it is difficult to decide, but the usual signification attached to the name is the one first given "good land."
Mukwonago, also variously spelled in the early documents as Me- quanigo, and Mequanego, is from the Pottawattomie word ''me-quan- i-go-ick/' meaning "a ladle" according to one authority, and took its signification from a bend in the river by that name which resembles an Indian ladle, which was a very crooked utensil, having a handle which turned quite over the bowl. More reliable authorities give as the original form ''mukwa/' bear, and "onahko/' fat, with reference to the place as a good hunting ground for bears; a similar original ''makwan-agong/' (pronounced mauk-wau-na-gong), means a place where the bear lies, or a bear-lair. Both Peter Vieau and Father Verwyst, who seldom agree on derivations, give the word ''mukwa' or "mukwau'' (bear), and the principal word in the original name.
Muskego is from "muskeekwak/' meaning "Sun-fish" probably a Pottawattomie word.
Menomonee is from a similar word of the tribe by the same name, and means the native grain known to the whites as "wild rice," this being an important food of this tribe.
Nashotah, also Neshota, applied under the latter form to the "West Twin" of the two streams meeting at Two Rivers, Manitowoc county, means "twins" and is appropriately applied to the upper' and lower lakes in the northeastern part of Summit township.
Ottawa, according to W. W. Warren, an intelligent half-breed in¬ terpreter, is the name of a tribe, originally "A-dat-ta-wag/' from "atawe" or "attawa/' meaning "trading," the whole word signifying "a trading people."
Oconomowoc has a choice of at least three originals, the Chippewa word, "okonimawa/' meaning "beaver-dam" from work of the indus¬ trious little builders in the vicinity; "oconnemiwing/' meaning "gather-