Joseph Barton ELAM, Congress, LA (1821-1885)

ELAM, Joseph Barton, a Representative from Louisiana; born near Hope, Hempstead County, Ark., June 12, 1821; moved with his father to Natchitoches, La., in 1826; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1843 and commenced practice in Alexandria, La.; moved to the parish of De Soto in 1851; member and speaker of the State house of representatives 1851-1861; elected a delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1861 and signed the ordinance of secession; elected as a Democrat to the Forty-fifth and Forty-sixth Congresses (March 4, 1877-March 3, 1881); unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1880 to the Forty-seventh Congress; resumed the practice of law in Mansfield, De Soto Parish, La., where he died July 4, 1885; interment in Mansfield Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present