James Collins (Wisconsin and California politician)

James Collins (1802- July 18, 1864), often called "Col. Collins", served in the legislatures of the Wisconsin Territory and in the California State Assembly.

A native of Virginia, he lived at different times in Macoupin County, Illinois, and in White Oak Springs, Wisconsin Territory.^[1] In 1845, he was the Whig nominee for non-voting delegate to the Twenty-ninth Congress to represent the Wisconsin Territory;^[2] he lost to Morgan Lewis Martin, with 5,787 to Martin's 6,803 and 790 for Edward D. Holton of the Liberty Party.^[3]

In 1849, Collins went to California and settled in Nevada County, California, from which he was elected to the California Assembly for two terms (1862 and 1863), was commissioned a brigadier general of the state militia, and was elected county treasurer. He died there in 1864.^[4]