William J. Abrams

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]

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]

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]