James M. Elam
James Mason Elam(1796–1856) was a veteran of theWar of 1812and fought theBarbary Pirates.He was an unsuccessfulWhigcandidate for theUnited States House of RepresentativesinLouisianain 1843.
Early life and military service[edit]
Elam was born inNottoway County, Virginiaon January 30, 1796, the son of Essex Elam and Lavinia Crowder. He enlisted in the army and served during the War of 1812, but saw no combat. He later served asEnsignaboard theU.S.S.Guerriereunder the command of CaptainStephen Decatur,he was part of the crew that went on in 1815 to attack the Barbary Pirates off the coast ofAlgeria.
Career[edit]
In 1820, Elam moved toBaton Rouge, Louisianaand became a lawyer. That year he married Rebecca Chambers. He engaged in a vigorous law practice and was politically active.
He ran unsuccessfully as a Whig for the United States House of Representatives in theThird District of LouisianaagainstJohn Bennett Dawsonin 1843.[1]Later, his son,James Essex Elamwas electedMayor of Baton Rouge,Louisiana.
Death and burial[edit]
James M. Elam died on November 7, 1856, and was buried in the family plot in theMagnolia Cemeteryin Baton Rouge.[2]
References[edit]
- ^"Elections".New Orleans Times-Picayune.July 11, 1843.
{{cite web}}:Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^"Burials in East Baton Rouge Parish".Political Graveyard.RetrievedJuly 26,2012.
  | This biographical article related to the United States Navy is astub.You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. |
- 1796 births
- 1856 deaths
- United States Army personnel of the War of 1812
- Politicians from Baton Rouge, Louisiana
- American military personnel of the First Barbary War
- People from Nottoway County, Virginia
- Louisiana Whigs
- 19th-century American politicians
- Burials at Magnolia Cemetery (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
- United States Navy officers
- United States Navy personnel stubs