In 1854, John M. Brown moved into the area that was to become Burnside Township. At the age of 29, he had come with his three brothers from Orleans County, New York, after the death of their father. Each had obtained 320 acres of land in what was to become Brown City and Burnside Township in an attempt to develop a farming business. John Brown was interested in development, and he saw to it that roads reached through 10 miles of forest land from the other settlements to his home. Indians lived on his property for a while, and wild game was abundant. The true development of Brown City came about as the Port Huron and Northwestern Railroad moved through the area, and established a depot at the settlement of the Brown brothers. The depot bore the name of the Brown family, and the city essentially grew out of a railroad stop. The agricultural and livestock interest of this community continued to grow until today it maintains a very important place in the agricultural role of Michigan's Thumb region. The area has always been a shipping point and supply center for agricultural needs.