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How would you describe a man who founded a major insurance company (the Michigan Millers Insurance Company), was the Chief Clerk of the State Legislature, as well as an elected representative in that body, served as the Mayor of two different towns, founded a commercial bank, wrote several books and also spent time running a flour mill?

"Larger than life" is the phrase that leaps to mind, and the best part of this is that this sort of achievement ran in his family. His father, Samuel, founded a Village in Central Michigan, after moving from New York to the 'wilderness' of Michigan in the mid 1800s. His older brother, John, helped found and was the first Lieutenant Governor of the State of Nevada, also served as Mayor of Williamston, served on as a Michigan Legislative Representative, and in addition to running his own dry-goods store was the Postmaster of Williamston for over 15 years.

The man in question is Daniel L Crossman, (1836-1901). Mr. Crossman was born in upstate New York, but moved to central Michigan as an infant with his parents. He made a mark on the community still visible over 100 years after his death. (See for example, the National Block Hotel.)

This site is the location of the home he built, and lived in with his wife, daughter, and for a time when they were first married, his new son-in-law (who later became one of Michigan's most active Medical examiners, a trained Medical Doctor, and trusted physician -- 'slacker' was not a word this family knew apparently!). Today this location is a park and playground, adjacent to the Community Center which was recently purchased by the City from the Schools for renovation as a new City Hall. Plans are to eventually add an historic plaque similar to the one that exists by the river downtown to tell a little more about Mr. Crossman, and his accomplishments, and how they helped advance Williamston.

For now, you have a 'sneak peak' at some of what will be on that history kiosk. The photos are an engraving of the home that stood here that appeared in the Williamston Enterprise newspaper in the 1891 'community commemorative' issue, and a portrait of Mr Crossman which appeared in the Lansing Journal in 1901 with his obituary, both of which are used with permission.

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Williamston History

Tags:

history , williamston mi michigan , historic site , things gone