Thomas Hardeman Jr.

Thomas Hardeman Jr. (January 12, 1825 – March 6, 1891) was an American politician, lawyer and soldier.

Thomas Hardeman, Jr.
Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives
In office 1863-1865 1875-1877
Preceded by	Warren Akin Sr. (first term) Augustus Octavius Bacon (second term)
Succeeded by	Robert McWhorter (first term) Augustus Octavius Bacon (second term)
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia's 3rd district
In office March 4, 1859 – January 21, 1861
Preceded by	Robert P. Trippe
Succeeded by	American Civil War
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia's at-large district
In office March 4, 1883 – March 3, 1885
Preceded by	New at-large seat resulting from congressional apportionment
Succeeded by	George T. Barnes
Member of the Georgia House of Representatives
In office 1853-1859 1863-1865 1875-1877
Personal details
Born	(1825-01-12)January 12, 1825 Eatonton, Georgia
Died	March 6, 1891(1891-03-06) (aged 66) Macon, Georgia, U.S.
Resting place	Rose Hill Cemetery (Macon, Georgia) 32.84646°N 83.63329°W / 32.84646; -83.63329
Nationality	American
Political party	Opposition Party 1858–1860 Democratic Party 1863–1885
Alma mater	Emory College
Occupation	Politician and soldier
Signature
Military service
Allegiance	Confederate States of America
Branch/service	Confederate States Army
Years of service	1861–65 (CSA)
Rank	Colonel (CSA)
Unit	2nd Georgia Battalion (CSA) 45th Georgia Infantry (CSA)

Early years

Hardeman was born in Eatonton, Georgia and graduated from Emory College in 1845. He studied and was admitted to the state bar in 1847. Rather than practicing law, he pursued interests in the warehouse and commission business.

Political and military service

After serving in the Georgia House of Representatives in 1853, 1855, and 1857, Hardeman was elected in 1858 as an Opposition Party candidate to the 36th United States Congress as a Representative of Georgia's 3rd congressional district and served a partial term from March 4, 1859, until January 23, 1861, when he resigned to become a captain in the Floyd Rifles.

During the American Civil War, Hardeman was major of the 2nd Georgia Battalion in the Confederate States Army.^[1] Later, he became a colonel in the 45th Georgia Infantry, a regiment he organized.^[2]

During the war, he served in the Georgia House of Representatives in 1863, 1864, and 1874. Hardeman served as the Speaker of the House from 1863 to 1865, and again in 1875–1877.^[3][4]

After the war, Hardeman was a delegate to the 1872 Democratic National Convention. He was also president of the State convention and chairman of the Democratic State executive committee for four years. In 1882, Hardeman won the election again to the U.S. House of Representatives as an at-large Democrat to the 48th United States Congress. He served one term from March 4, 1883, to March 3, 1885.^[5]

Death

Thomas Hardeman Jr. died in Macon, Georgia, on March 6, 1891, and was buried in that city's Rose Hill Cemetery.^[6] The Colonel Thomas Hardeman Jr. Chapter 2170 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy was named in his honor.^[7] Hardeman Avenue in downtown Macon, Georgia, was also named for him.

See also

• List of speakers of the Georgia House of Representatives