Hugh A. Haralson Explained

State2:Georgia
District2:at-large
Term Start2:March 4, 1843
Term End2:March 3, 1845
Predecessor2:George W. Crawford
Successor2:Representatives elected by district
State1:Georgia
District1:4th
Term Start1:March 4, 1845
Term End1:March 3, 1851
Predecessor1:Representatives elected at-large
Successor1:Charles Murphey
Office3:Member of the Georgia Senate
Term3:1837–1838
Office4:Member of the Georgia House of Representatives
Term4:1831–1832
Birth Name:Hugh A. Haralson
Birth Date:13 November 1805
Birth Place:Greene County, Georgia, U.S.
Death Place:LaGrange, Georgia, U.S.
Party:Whig – prior to 1839
Democratic – 1839–1854
Alma Mater:University of Georgia
Profession:farmer and attorney
Branch: Georgia Militia 9th Division
Rank:
Major General
Serviceyears:1838–42
Commands: 9th Georgia Militia

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

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. 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. 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] 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.[4] [5]

External links

Notes and References

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