Sitting a few miles east of Battle Creek is the town of Marshall, Michigan. Founded in the early to mid-1800s, this city has evolved and grown quite a bit over the years. Though it was once a place where urban dwellers retreated to escape from the larger surrounding cities, it has now become an established community. It is one of many towns and counties named after John Marshall, who was a U.S. Chief of Justice. During the mid-19th century, slaves seeking freedom often passed through Marshall, as it provided plenty of cover from the surrounding cities.