Berrien County was created by act of February 25, 1856, and was named for John MacPherson Berrien, “the American Cicero,” who was born August 23, 1781 and died January 1, 1856. He served as Judge of the Eastern Circuit, U.S. Senator, and U.S. Attorney General. The county seat, Nashville, was named for Gen. Francis Nash of N.C., a distinguished soldier of the Revolution. The first county officers, commissioned April 21, 1856, were Sheriff John Studstill, Clerk of Courts Richard A. Peeples, Tax Receiver John A. Money, Tax Collector John M. Futch, Coroner James Dobson, Surveyor Seaborn J. Bradford, and Ordinary John Lindsey.