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. In 1845, he was the Whig nominee for non-voting delegate to the Twenty-ninth Congress to represent the Wisconsin Territory; he lost to Morgan Lewis Martin, with 5,787 to Martin's 6,803 and 790 for Edward D. Holton of the Liberty Party.