J. Wiggins Collamer is a representative and successful attorney of Schenectady where he has been actively engaged in practice during the past seventeen years. He was born in the town of Malta, Saratoga county, New York, on the 23d of May, 1883, his parents being J. Egbert and Helen (Hall) Collamer, both of whom are natives of the same place. The father, who was reared to the occupation of farming, has devoted his attention to general agricultural pursuits in Saratoga county throughout his business career. J. Wiggins Collamer, who represents the ninth generation of the family in America, is a lineal descendant of Captain Anthony Collamer, who emigrated from England to Scituate, Massachusetts, in 1665. The records of the Bay state show that he was married on the 14th of June, 1666, and that on the 5th of June, 1692, he was commissioned captain by William Phips, captain-general and governor-in-chief of the province of Massachusetts. The Collamers resided at Scituate, Massachusetts, until 1779, when Anthony Collamer, Jr., a grandson of Captain Anthony Collamer, removed to Malta, Saratoga county, New York, where the family has been represented to the present time. The above named Anthony Collamer, Jr., served as a Minute Man on the Lexington alarm on the 19th of April, 1775, and participated in the Revolutionary war as a private of Colonel Aaron Willard's regiment.
J. Wiggins Collamer, whose name introduces this review, was reared and educated in his native county and following his graduation from the high school at Ballston Spa, matriculated in Syracuse University, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of LL. B. in 1907, having completed a course in law. The same year he was admitted to the bar and began the practice of his chosen profession in Schenectady, where he has remained throughout the intervening period of seventeen years and has built up a gratifying and remunerative clientage. An excellent presence, an earnest, dignified manner, marked strength of character, a thorough grasp of the law and the ability accurately to apply its principles are factors in his effectiveness as an advocate. He maintains offices in the Wedgeway building and is a member of the Schenectady Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association.
On the 2d of June, 1908, Mr. Collamer was united in marriage to Miss Jessie Pitts, and they are the parents of one son, Nelson. The family residence is at No. 135 Union street, in Schenectady. Mr. Collamer is a worthy exemplar of the teachings and purposes of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Corlaer Lodge, F. & A. M.; Warren Chapter, R. A. M.; St. George's Commandery, K. T.; and Oriental Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is likewise a member of the law fraternity known as Phi Delta Phi, is past president of the Schenectady Boat Club and belongs to the local chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.