Colonel William A. Phillips

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. ^ a b c Smith, p. 299
  2. ^ a b c 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. ^ a b "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

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by 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