Louis Harrell, the subject of this sketch, is, perhaps, the largest
and wealthiest farmer of Butler county, and one of the leading
agriculturists of southern Alabama. His ancestors on the father's side
came originally from France and the name in that country was Harrell.
His grandfather, Louis Harrell, settled in Marion district, S. C.,
before the war of the Revolution and owned the historic tract of land
spoken of, in the life of Gen. Marion, as "Briton Neck." He was a
soldier in the war of independence and served throughout the struggle
with Francis Marion's celebrated band of partisans in South Carolina
and other parts of the south.

The subject's father, also named Louis Harrell, was born in Marion
district, S. C., in 1787; was a planter by occupation, served in the
war of 1812, and died in 1822, in Darlington District, his native
state. Melissa W. Hill, the wife of Louis Harrell, whom he married in
South Carolina, in 1820, was the mother of but one child, the subject
of this mention. Mrs. Harrell, some years after her husband's death,
became the wife of John Cody, by whom she had a family of seven
children. She died in January, 1886, in Crenshaw county, Ala.

The gentleman whose name heads this biography was born, August 12,
1821, in Darlington district, S. C., and when three years of age was
taken by his mother to Pike county, Ala., where his youthful years
were passed on a farm.  Owing to the indifferent schools of that day
his early education was exceedingly limited, and at the age of sixteen
he turned his back upon his home and engaged in the battle of life
upon his own responsibility.

In November, 1842, shortly after obtaining his majority, he met and
married  Matilda A. Wynsdick (Wyrosdick?), and shortly thereafter 
engaged in agricultural pursuits in Pike county, Ala., where he 
resided until 1852, doing business a part of that time in Montgomery, 
where for three years he clerked in the mercantile establishment of 
J. & H. Weil & Co.

In 1852, he moved to Butler, now Crenshaw county, and located at the
town of Rutledge, where he made his home until 1866, at which time he
removed to a farm nine miles from Greenville, where he resided one
year. He then located in Greenville, where for twenty years he was
engaged as clerk for different business firms, during which time he
was also interested in farming in the vicinity of the county seat. In
1886, he moved to his present plantation three and a half miles east
of Greenville, where he has since resided and where he now carries on
one of the largest and most valuable farms in Butler county,
consisting of a thousand acres, 400 of which are under cultivation. He
also owns a plantation of 300 acres in Montgomery county, to which he
gives his personal attention, and which, like his home place, is well
improved and highly cultivated.

During his residence in Greenville, Mr. Harrell served four years as
mayor of the city, and in 1888 was elected representative from Butler
county in the state legislature, in which body he served one year.
Previous to that time he was frequently importuned to run for office,
but always refused, and in 1856, was nominated against his wish for
the legislature, but declined to make the race.

In March, 1862, he entered the Confederate army as a member of
company A, Third battalion, Hilliard's legion, and soon after his
enlistment was promoted second lieutenant, and in 1863, upon the
reorganization of the company, was elected captain.  He took part in
but one important battle, Perryville, and on account of sickness,
superinduced by exposure, he was discharged for disability early in
the year 1864. 

In 1860, Mr. Harrell disposed of his real estate with
the intention of going west, but the war breaking out prevented him
putting his plans into execution.  At that time he was regarded as the
heaviest farmer in the county, owning very valuable real estate and
fifty-two slaves, but at the close of the war his circumstances became
so reduced that he was compelled to borrow money with which to
purchase provisions for his family. 

He has been a prudent manager, possesses superior business sagacity, 
and by close attention to his chosen calling has succeeded in amassing 
a comfortable fortune, being now considered one of the wealthiest men 
of the county of Butler.  As a democrat he has ever manifested great 
interest in the success of his party in county, state and national 
affairs, and has recently taken an active interest in the farmer 
alliance movement. He is a master Mason, and for a number of years 
has been a communicant of the M. E. church, in which lie holds the 
position of steward.

Mr. and Mrs. Harrell have had eight children born to them, the
following living:  Melissa W. Harrell, wife of J. E. Faison; John D.
Harrell, farmer near Greenville; Delila J. Harrell, wife of E. M. Kirk. 
The names of those deceased were: John A. Harrell, died in infancy; 
Margaret J. Harrell, wife of Eli Dampier; Sally Harrell; Dove Harrell 
and AdelIa Harrell.