Haralson County was created by act of the legislature on January 26, 1856, and was named for General Hugh A. Haralson, a member of Congress and chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs during the Mexican War. The county seat was named for James Buchanan, the last Democratic president before the war. Among the first county officers were Sheriff John K. Holcombe, Clerk of Superior Court Van A. Brewster, Clerk of Inferior Court Jesse M. Jeams, Tax Receiver Hiram Ray, Tax Collector Alfred H. Green, Ordinary George H. Hamilton, Surveyor William D.F. Mann, and Coroner John McClung.