Pioneer history of Ingham County, compiled and arranged by Mrs. Franc L. Adams, secretary of the Ingham County pioneer and historical society.

WILLIAMSTON TOWNSHIP AND ITS HISTORY

841

Daniel Crossman was clerk in the State Legislature when he
moved from Dansville to Williamston, and he continued in that
office until his health failed and he was forced to resign. He and
his relatives took an active part in the business life of the village.
He started the Exchange Bank, built a brick grist mill east of the
station and a fine residence near the new school buildings.
Wm. Heald came from Dansville with the Crossmans. He had
been in the manufacturing business, but bought a farm and started
a store, changing his occupation to merchant and farmer. He has
written several articles for the Lansing State Journal and other
papers about his early pioneer life in Dansville.
Besides Dr. Leasia there is another medical man who came to
Williamston in the sixties and is living now.
For over fifty years he has looked after the sick in Williamston
and the surrounding country. Many doctors have come, stayed
awhile, and drifted away during his professional life. My acquaintance of half a century gives me the liberty of writing a few
sentences about his work and its influence on the social and intellectual life of Williamston. Mathias Coad was born in Massachusetts, and graduated from the old Berkshire Medical College.
Just before, or just after, graduation he enlisted as assistant surgeon in the army during the Civil War. He was stationed for a
short time in Louisiana as surgeon of a colored regiment. After
the close of the war he married and came to Williamston, where
he has since remained. In the practice of medicine he made a
success, for he was a reader, a student who was up-to-date in every
great advancement or new discovery. A sure diagnostician he
was always called as counsel in difficult cases by his fellow practitioners, a careful surgeon who for years did all that kind of work
for Williamston and adjoining communities. Many young practitioners have had the benefit of his experience and counsel, which
was always cheerfully and courteously given. Besides his work
in medicine he has done a great work in music. He was always
ready to sing and help with his beautiful tenor in social and
church circles. Outside of the two things already mentioned, his
greatest interest, his hobby, was education. He was always a
member of the school board. Williamston school and school
buildings are a lasting memorial to his untiring work for years.
The high grade they have attained is due to his lifelong efforts.