John MacPherson Berrien was born on August 23, 1781 at Rocky Hill, New Jersey. When just an infant, the family moved to Savannah, Georgia. He went on to Princeton University and began a career in law where he succeeded to Judge, Georgia State Senator, United States Senator, and Attorney General. He accepted a position of Attorney General in the Cabinet of President Andrew Jackson. Berrien County, Michigan was given its name in honor of our Attorney General at the time. After resigning in 1831, he returned to private law practice, then gradually worked back into politics again. John MacPherson Berrien died on January 1, 1856 in Savannah, Georgia and was buried in Laurel Grove Cemetery. Although the state of Georgia is also honored in having a "Berrien County", his namesake in Michigan was a place he unfortunately never set foot upon but we are still proud to carry on his tradition of excellence and aspiration to greatness.
--Chriss Lyon
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