Hon. Edwin McCollam, Lafourche Parish, La.
File prepared and submitted by Sherry Sanford (SSanf51819@aol.com)

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Biographical And Historical Memoirs, Vol. II
The Goodspeed Publishing Company, 1892

Hon. Edwin McCollam, a prominent citizen of LaFourche parish, La., was born in that state in
1845, and is a son of Andrew and Ellen E. (Slattery) McCollam, native of the Empire state, the
father born in 1810 and the mother in 1817.  The father received a scientific education in
Union college, New York, and graduated from that institution with high honors.  He came to
Louisiana in 1832, located at Donaldsonville, and engaged as a civil engineer.  He was married
in 1841 and in 1852 he located in LaFourche parish, where he followed planting.  He was a
member of the secession convention.  Hon. 
Edwin McCollam received his scholastic advantages in
St. Mary's college, La., and threw aside his books to enter the army.  In 1862 he enlisted in
Wert Adams' cavalry regiment and served faithfully until cessation of hostilities.  He was
taken prisoner at Vicksburg and after being released he was in Gordy's battery.  He
participated in the battles of Corinth, Baker's Creek, Big Black, seige of Vicksburg,
Hatchie Bridge and quite a number of cavalry engagements.  He served all through as a private
and was never wounded.  He has since been engaged in planting, and he and his brother,
Alexander William, cultivate 600 acres of Ellendale plantation.  During the season of 1891 they
made 1,100,000 pounds of sugar.  Mr. McCollam was elected to the legislature from Terre Bonne
parish in 1874 and served two years. He was counted out by the Wells-Kellogg returning
board in 1884, Wheeler, Hoar, Foster, members of the National committee, to adjust the matter
of election, and when they tried to count out Mr. McCollam they declared him elected, and he
served.  He was chairman of the committee on lands and levees in the lower house.  He was
nominated for state senator, but declined to run.  He has also been a member of most of the
state democratic conventions.