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 | |
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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 | Cambridge, New York, U.S. | March 19, 1829
Died | September 12, 1900 71) Green Bay, Wisconsin, U.S. | (aged
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
- "W. J. Abrams (1829-1900)". City of Green Bay. Archived from the original on 2012-01-03. Retrieved 2011-11-30.
- 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.
- "30 October 1966". The Post-Crescent. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
- 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.
- Wisconsin. Railroad Commissioners' Department (1897). Biennial Report of the Railroad Commissioner of the State of Wisconsin. Wisconsin. Railroad Commissioners' Department. p. 27.
- Wisconsin. Railroad Commissioners' Dept (1882). Annual Report of the Railroad Commissioners of the State of Wisconsin. Wisconsin. Railroad Commissioners' Dept. p. 245.
- 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.
- Wisconsin. Legislature. Assembly (1865). State of Wisconsin Assembly Journal, Volume 1865. Wisconsin Legislature. p. 672.
- Secretary of State (1870). State of Wisconsin Blue Book. Secretary of State. p. 338.
- "LUMBERING MAKES OCONTO COUNTY CITIES AND VILLAGES". Ancestry.com. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
- Martin, Deborah Beaumont (1913). History of Brown County, Wisconsin: Past and Present, Volume 2. S.J. Clarke Publishing Company. p. 439.
- "Mayors Past". Green Bay. Archived from the original on January 3, 2012. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
- 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 Frederick S. Ellis |
Member of the Wisconsin State Assembly from the Brown 1st district January 4, 1864 – January 6, 1868 |
Succeeded by John B. Eugene |
Wisconsin State Senate | ||
Preceded by Matthew J. Meade |
Member of the Wisconsin Senate from the 2nd district January 6, 1868 – January 3, 1870 |
Succeeded by Lyman Walker |
Political offices | ||
Preceded by John C. Neville |
Mayor of Green Bay, Wisconsin April 1881 – April 1882 |
Succeeded by J. H. M. Wigman |
Preceded by J. H. M. Wigman |
Mayor of Green Bay, Wisconsin April 1883 – April 1885 |
Succeeded by Charles Hartung |