William J. Abrams

William "W. J." Abrams (March 19, 1829 – September 12, 1900) was an American railroad surveyor, railroad businessman, and politician. He served as a member of the Wisconsin State Senate and the Assembly, and was the 21st and 23rd Mayor of Green Bay, Wisconsin.

W. J. Abrams
21st and 23rd Mayor of Green Bay, Wisconsin
In office April 1883 – April 1885
Preceded by	J. H. M. Wigman
Succeeded by	Charles Hartung
In office April 1881 – April 1882
Preceded by	John C. Neville
Succeeded by	J. H. M. Wigman
Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 2nd district
In office January 6, 1868 – January 3, 1870
Preceded by	Matthew J. Meade
Succeeded by	Lyman Walker
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Brown 1st district
In office January 4, 1864 – January 6, 1868
Preceded by	Frederick S. Ellis
Succeeded by	John B. Eugene
Personal details
Born	March 19, 1829 Cambridge, New York, U.S.
Died	September 12, 1900 (aged 71) Green Bay, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting place	Woodlawn Cemetery, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Henrietta T. Alton Abrams
Children	Kate Abrams Ruth Abrams Winford Abrams
Mother	Ruth (Hall) Abrams
Father	Isaac T. Abrams
Profession	Railroad surveyor Railroad businessman Politician

Early life

Abrams was born in Cambridge, New York, the son of Isaac T. Abrams and Ruth (Hall) Abrams.[1] He attended school in Cambridge and Troy, New York before studying theology in Williamstown, Massachusetts. He was not able to finish his studies due to poor health.[2]

Career

Abrams completed railroad surveys from Lake Michigan to Ontonogan, Michigan before moving to Wisconsin in 1856,[3] and settling in Green Bay in 1861. He was involved in water transportation facilities before becoming a railroad businessman. He was a promoter for the Green Bay and Lake Pepin Railroad, which would become the Green Bay and Western Railroad.[4] Abrams served as Chairman of the Board and President for the railroad.[5][6]

Abrams was a Democratic member of the State Assembly from 1864 to 1867[7] and the State Senate from 1868 to 1869.[8] He was later Mayor of Green Bay in 1881 and again from 1883 to 1884. He served as Vice-President of the Soldiers Orphans Home in Madison, Wisconsin.[9]

In 1881, Abrams owned land where the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad built a depot in the area that was to become Abrams, Wisconsin. The town of Abrams was named in his honor.[10]

Abrams died on September 12, 1900 in Wisconsin and is interred at Woodlawn Cemetery.[11]

Personal life

In 1854, Abrams married Henrietta T. Alton. They had three children, Kate, Ruth and Winford.[12] Their son Winford also served as Mayor of Green Bay.[13]

References

1. "W. J. Abrams (1829-1900)". City of Green Bay. Archived from the original on 2012-01-03. Retrieved 2011-11-30.
2. J.H. Beers & Co (1896). Commemorative Biographical Record of the West Shore of Green Bay, Wisconsin: Including the Counties of Brown, Oconto, Marinette and Florence, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent Citizens. J. H. Beers & Company. p. 117.
3. "30 October 1966". The Post-Crescent. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
4. J.H. Beers & Co (1896). Commemorative Biographical Record of the West Shore of Green Bay, Wisconsin: Including the Counties of Brown, Oconto, Marinette and Florence, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent Citizens. J. H. Beers & Company. p. 117.
5. Wisconsin. Railroad Commissioners' Department (1897). Biennial Report of the Railroad Commissioner of the State of Wisconsin. Wisconsin. Railroad Commissioners' Department. p. 27.
6. Wisconsin. Railroad Commissioners' Dept (1882). Annual Report of the Railroad Commissioners of the State of Wisconsin. Wisconsin. Railroad Commissioners' Dept. p. 245.
7. French, Bella (1876). The American Sketch Book, Volume III, History of Brown County, Wisconsin: A Collection of Historical Incidents with Descriptions of Corresponding Localities. American Sketch Book Company.
8. Wisconsin. Legislature. Assembly (1865). State of Wisconsin Assembly Journal, Volume 1865. Wisconsin Legislature. p. 672.
9. Secretary of State (1870). State of Wisconsin Blue Book. Secretary of State. p. 338.
10. "LUMBERING MAKES OCONTO COUNTY CITIES AND VILLAGES". Ancestry.com. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
11. Martin, Deborah Beaumont (1913). History of Brown County, Wisconsin: Past and Present, Volume 2. S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. p. 439.
12. "Mayors Past". Green Bay. Archived from the original on January 3, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
13. Martin, Deborah Beaumont (1913). History of Brown County, Wisconsin: Past and Present, Volume 2. S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. p. 439.