Sam L. Collins | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 50th Speaker of the California State Assembly | |
| In office January 6, 1947 – August 13, 1952 | |
| Preceded by | Charles W. Lyon |
| Succeeded by | James W. Silliman |
| Member of the California State Assembly from the 75th district | |
| In office January 6, 1941 – January 5, 1953 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Kuchel |
| Succeeded by | LeRoy E. Lyon Jr. |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 19th district | |
| In office March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1937 | |
| Preceded by | district created |
| Succeeded by | Harry R. Sheppard |
| District Attorney of Orange County | |
| In office 1930–1932 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Samuel LaFort Collins August 6, 1895 Fortville, Indiana |
| Died | June 26, 1965 (aged 69) Fullerton, California |
| Resting place | Loma Vista Memorial Park, Fullerton, California |
| Political party | Republican |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army and California National Guard |
| Battles/wars | World War I Pancho Villa Expedition |
Samuel LaFort Collins (August 6, 1895 – June 26, 1965) was an American lawyer, World War I veteran, and Republican politician who served in various offices from California in the early 20th century.
Early life and education[edit]
Collins was born in Fortville, Indiana, attended public schools in Indiana and California, and graduated from Chaffey Union High School, Ontario, California, in 1915.[1]
He served as a private in the Hospital Corps, Seventh Infantry, California National Guard on the Mexican border in 1916.
World War I service[edit]
From 1917 to 1919, he served in the United States Army overseas as a sergeant in Co. C, 364th Infantry, 91st Division. After discharge from the Army, Collins studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1921, and practiced in Fullerton, California.
Legal career[edit]
He was assistant district attorney of Orange County, California, 1926–1930 and district attorney 1930–1932.
Political career[edit]
In 1932 Collins was elected to the 73rd Congress, and reelected, serving during 1933–1937. He lost his bid for reelection to a third term in 1936.
Collins served as member of the California State Assembly for the 75th district from 1941 to 1953,[2] serving as speaker 1947–1952. Collins was the longest-serving Speaker in California history until the record was broken by Jesse M. Unruh, who was speaker from 1961 to 1969. Collins is the fifth-longest-serving Speaker behind Leo T. McCarthy (1974–1980), Anthony Rendon (2016-2023), Unruh, and Willie Brown (1980–1995). Collins is the longest-serving Republican Speaker.
After serving in the Assembly, he resumed the practice of law.
Death[edit]
Collins died at the age of 69 in Fullerton and is buried at Loma Vista Memorial Park.
Electoral history[edit]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sam L. Collins | 56,889 | 51.0 | ||
| Democratic | B. Z. McKinney | 51,796 | 46.4 | ||
| Liberty | Horatio S. Hoard | 2,873 | 2.6 | ||
| Total votes | 111,558 | 100.0 | |||
| Turnout | {{{votes}}} | ||||
| Republican win (new seat) | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Sam L. Collins (Incumbent) | 97,119 | 88.8 | |
| No party | A. B. Hillabold (write-in) | 12,301 | 11.2 | |
| Total votes | 109,420 | 100.0 | ||
| Turnout | {{{votes}}} | |||
| Republican hold | ||||
References[edit]
- ^ Bioguide, Search (April 13, 2024). "COLLINS, Samuel LaFort". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Join California – Sam L. Collins". joincalifornia.com.
- ^ 1932 election results
- ^ 1934 election results
This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
External links[edit]
- United States Congress. "Sam L. Collins (id: C000643)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- Sam L. Collins at Find a Grave
| International | |
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| National | |
| People | |
