Deseronto was established in 1784 by the Mohawk chief John Deserontyon, also known as Odeserundiye. However, the settlement went through a number of name changes before its inhabitants agreed on Deseronto. When Hugo Rathbun established his sawmill and store at the site in 1848, the post office called the place Mill Point. Later a postmaster named Bowen tried to name the village after himself in 1857, but Bowen lasted only until it reverted to being called Mill Point. John Culbertson, Deserontyon’s grandson, was successful in promoting a permanent name change. Mill Point became Deseronto in 1881. Population 1,796