Hugh A. Haralson

Hugh Anderson Haralson (November 13, 1805 – September 25, 1854) was an American farmer, lawyer and politician based in Lagrange, Georgia.

Hugh A. Haralson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Georgia's 4th district
In office
March 4, 1845  March 3, 1851
Preceded byRepresentatives elected at-large
Succeeded byCharles Murphey
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Georgia's at-large district
In office
March 4, 1843  March 3, 1845
Preceded byGeorge W. Crawford
Succeeded byRepresentatives elected by district
Member of the Georgia Senate
In office
1837–1838
Member of the Georgia House of Representatives
In office
1831–1832
Personal details
Born
Hugh A. Haralson

(1805-11-13)November 13, 1805
Greene County, Georgia, U.S.
DiedSeptember 25, 1854(1854-09-25) (aged 48)
LaGrange, Georgia, U.S.
Political partyWhig – prior to 1839
Democratic – 1839–1854
Alma materUniversity of Georgia
Professionfarmer and attorney
Military service
Allegiance United States of America
Branch/service Georgia Militia 9th Division
Years of service1838–42
Rank
Major General
Commands 9th Georgia Militia

Early years and education

Hugh Haralson was born November 13, 1805, in Greene County, Georgia. He graduated from Franklin College of Arts and Sciences (University of Georgia).[1] After graduation, Haralson was admitted to the bar by way of a special act of the Legislature, because he was under the age of twenty-one.[2]

Political and military careers

Haralson first served in the Georgia House of Representatives, at age 26, from 1831 to 1832. He was next elected to the Georgia State Senate in 1836, and served from 1837 to 1838.[1] He was commissioned as a major general in the Georgia Militia, 9th Division, in 1838.[1] Haralson was originally a member of the Whig Party, but left when that party advocated for a restoration of the Bank of the United States, something that Haralson was opposed to because of his Jeffersonian leanings.[2] Haralson subsequently joined the Democratic Party and stood for election to Congress under that banner. Despite the fact that Georgia voted overwhelmingly for the Whig party, in 1840, Haralson was elected as a Democrat two years later.[2] Haralson represented Georgia in the U.S. Congress from 1843 to 1851, where he was chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs during the Mexican–American War.[3][4] He was the father-in-law of the famous Confederate General, and Georgia governor John B. Gordon.

Death and legacy

Hugh A. Haralson died September 25, 1854, in LaGrange, Georgia. Haralson County, Georgia and the city of Haralson, Georgia in Coweta County, are named in his honor.[5][3]

References

  1. Smith, p. 299
  2. Lucian Lamar Knight (1913). Georgia's Landmarks, Memorials, and Legends ...: Landmarks and memorials. Historical outlines, original settlers, and distinguished residents of the counties of Georgia. The Byrd Printing Company – Atlanta, GA. pp. 667–668.
  3. "Haralson County historical marker". Digital Library of Georgia – Georgia University System. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  4. "1843 elected to congress. Hugh A Haralson, Georgia". Southern Reformer (Jackson, Mississippi). November 19, 1843. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
  5. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 149.
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