Ela Collins (1786-1848) - Find a Grave Memorial

U.S. Congressman. He attended Clinton Academy, studied law, and commenced practice in 1807. In 1808, he became an original Trustee of the Lowville Franklin Society, which created Lowville's first library. Also in 1808, Collins sold the land where the Lowville Academy was constructed, and he was an original academy Trustee. From 1811 to 1813, Collins was Town Supervisor. He was a member of the New York State Assembly from 1814 to 1815. Collins was District Attorney of the Eighth District from 1815 to 1818, and of Lewis County from 1818 to 1840. He was a Delegate to the 1821 state Constitutional Convention. In 1822, he was elected to the U.S. House as a Crawford Democratic-Republican, and served one term, March 1823 to March 1825. When the 1824 presidential election was decided by the House, Collins supported William Crawford, but John Q. Adams carried New York and 12 other states, and won on the first ballot. After leaving Congress, Collins practiced law, and he later became a member of the Anti-Masonic Party. He served again as Town Supervisor from 1827 to 1828 and 1829 to 1831, and was Chairman of the Lewis County Board of Supervisors in 1830.

Bio by: Bill McKern