From Michigan Place Names
Berrien County: Dr. L A. Barnard, from Sandusky Ohio, became one of the first settlers in the area in 1828. The town was named after the township, which had been named after the county. Which had in turn been named after John M. attorney general under President Andrew Jackson. Zera F. Wright became its first postmaster on April 28 1857 [Fox; PO Archives]