Name W. Abrams Role Politician | Political party Democratic Party Children Winford Abrams | |
Born March 19, 1829
Cambridge, New York, U.S. ( 1829-03-19 ) Resting place Woodlawn Cemetery
Green Bay, Wisconsin Spouse(s) Henrietta T. Alton Abrams Parents Isaac T. Abrams
Ruth (Hall) Abrams Profession Railroad surveyor
Railroad businessman
Politician Died September 12, 1900, Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States Residence Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States | ||
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 Wisconsin State Assembly, and was Mayor of Green Bay, Wisconsin.
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Early life
Abrams was born in Cambridge, New York, the son of Isaac T. Abrams and Ruth (Hall) Abrams. 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.
Career
Abrams completed railroad surveys from Lake Michigan to Ontonogan, Michigan before moving to Wisconsin in 1856, 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. Abrams served as Chairman of the Board and President for the railroad.
Abrams was a Democratic member of the State Assembly from 1864-1867 and the State Senate from 1868-1869. He was later Mayor of Green Bay in 1881 and again from 1883-1884. He served as Vice-President of the Soldiers Orphans Home in Madison, Wisconsin.
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.
Abrams died on September 12, 1900 in Wisconsin and is interred at Woodlawn Cemetery.
Personal life
In 1854, Abrams married Henrietta T. Alton. They had three children, Kate, Ruth and Winford. Their son Winford also served as Mayor of Green Bay.