Hugh A. Haralson

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 by	Representatives elected at-large
Succeeded by	Charles Murphey
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia's at-large district
In office March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1845
Preceded by	George W. Crawford
Succeeded by	Representatives 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.
Died	September 25, 1854(1854-09-25) (aged 48) LaGrange, Georgia, U.S.
Political party	Whig – prior to 1839 Democratic – 1839–1854
Alma mater	University of Georgia
Profession	farmer and attorney
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch/service	Georgia Militia 9th Division
Years of service	1838–42
Rank	Major General
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.^[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.

External links

• Hugh Anderson Haralson Letterbook – Atlanta History Center
• United States Congress. "Hugh A. Haralson (id: H000178)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Smith, Gordon Burns, History of the Georgia Militia, 1783–1861, Volume One, Campaigns and Generals, Boyd Publishing, 2000.

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by George Walker Crawford	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia's at-large congressional district March 4, 1843 – March 3, 1845	Succeeded by Representatives elected by district
Preceded by Representatives elected at large	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia's 4th congressional district March 4, 1845 – March 3, 1851	Succeeded by Charles Murphey