William J. Abrams

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For the Canadian justice, see William Abrams.
W. J. Abrams
W. J. Abrams.png
21st and 23rd Mayor of Green Bay, Wisconsin
In office
April 1883 – April 1885
Preceded byJ. H. M. Wigman
Succeeded byCharles Hartung
In office
April 1881 – April 1882
Preceded byJohn C. Neville
Succeeded byJ. H. M. Wigman
Member of the Wisconsin Senate
from the 2nd district
In office
January 6, 1868 – January 3, 1870
Preceded byMatthew J. Meade
Succeeded byLyman Walker
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly
from the Brown 1st district
In office
January 4, 1864 – January 6, 1868
Preceded byFrederick S. Ellis
Succeeded byJohn B. Eugene
Personal details
Born(1829-03-19)March 19, 1829
Cambridge, New York, U.S.
DiedSeptember 12, 1900(1900-09-12) (aged 71)
Green Bay, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting placeWoodlawn Cemetery, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Henrietta T. Alton Abrams
ChildrenKate Abrams
Ruth Abrams
Winford Abrams
Parents
  • Isaac T. Abrams (father)
  • Ruth (Hall) Abrams (mother)
ProfessionRailroad surveyor
Railroad businessman
Politician

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.

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.
Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Brown 1st district
January 4, 1864 – January 6, 1868 		Succeeded by
Wisconsin Senate
Preceded by
Matthew J. Meade
 Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 2nd district
January 6, 1868 – January 3, 1870 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Mayor of Green Bay, Wisconsin
April 1881 – April 1882 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Mayor of Green Bay, Wisconsin
April 1883 – April 1885 		Succeeded by



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