• Sunday-What'sUP November 20 - 06:29 pm

My wife Edie and I have this hobby of almost four years that has been a labor of love. Labor because it is hard work sometimes, love because of how much we enjoy history. Our Pasty Central Day in History feature is a team effort, with Edie doing most of the research for these one-minute vignettes that I produce. One of the friends from the past whom we have met along the way is Edward T. Abrams, born on this day in 1860, right here in the village where we live.

I have to offer a disclaimer about the pictures above. The first one (family photo) we had downloaded from a genealogy archive that I did not document well. I've been unable to find its original source, and have since discovered there was another Edward T. Abrams who was born 3 years before the one from Eagle River, and died 26 years after him. The second photo is from the cover of a medical journal in which some of the scholarly writings of Dr. Abrams appeared. You be the judge of whether it looks like the same man 30+ years later.

Besides the accolades noted in his biography above, Edward Abrams was an outspoken pro-life advocate, while also calling for compassion and understanding for women who faced such crises in their lives. During his time in the Michigan Legislature, in dealing with laws that were used to jail abortionists, there was pressure to criminalize the role of the woman in abortion as well, which Dr. Abrams adamantly opposed. He is quoted in a recent article that provides a 19th century look at this issue in World Magazine.

There are hundreds of inspiring life stories of residents from the land of snow and pasties, such as Edward T. Abrams. It's a pleasure to bring you a glimpse of some of these from time to time here at Pasty Central.

Have a good week :o)

That's a very interesting article, Charlie and Edie, thank you. Such a shame there's not someone of his caliber running for President in this day and age.

Edward T. Abrams was the uncle of another well known Keweenaw Physician & Surgeon---Dr. James C. (Chegwyn) Abrams. J. C. Abrams had a prominent medical practice in the Calumet area throughout the 1920s, 30s and early 40s and was the 'dean' of medical practitioners at (the then) Laurium Memorial Hospital. The Abrams' summer home still stands in Eagle Harbor at NW corner of Pine and Front Streets.
---Paul LaVanway

when I was real young, I am now 77, I remember the
hospital in Lake Linden at 11th street and Calumet
Ave., Unfortunately memories tend to develop fog
and I don't remember much beyond where it was.

It's always cool to hear about the history of the Copper Country. Maybe the NBA and the players union (or what's left of it) could use a guy like Abrams! Good stuff Charlie! You and Edie are doing good work! Or should I say Edie? ;-) Just kidding. :-)