Jeremiah Haralson, born on a plantation on 1 April 1846 near Columbus, Georgia, he was raised as a slave and was self-educated. He moved to Alabama after emancipation, where he served as the first black member of the State House of Representatives in 1870. He served in the state senate in 1872 and in the U.S. Congress from the 44th district from 1875 to 1877. After serving in Congress, Haralson worked in various positions in the Federal government, until 1884 when he moved to Louisiana and Arkansas before returning to Alabama in 1912. Haralson then moved to Texas, Oklahoma, and Colorado, where he was killed by wild animals near Denver in 1916.
From the guide to the Jere Haralson letter MSS. 0625., 1876 April 27, (University Libraries Division of Special Collections, The University of Alabama)
