In 1859, Alexander Harrell was born a slave

Alexander Harrell
Photo Courtesy of 
Isabel Harrell Cook Collection

Alexander Harrell was born a slave in 1859 to Robert and Darska R. Harrell. The United States Census of 1880 shows that he lived with his parents, grandmother, and siblings in Tangipahoa Parish. His siblings were John Harrell, Marietta Harrell, Anow Harrell, and Margaretta Harrell. His grandmother was Priscilla Blackburn Harrell. Alexander later married Emma Mead Harrell.

His siblings were; Authur Harrell, Ella Harrell, Shelton Harrell, Sr., Henry Harrell, Warner Harrell, Alex Harrell, Edgar Harrell Sr. Cena Harrell, Palmer Harrell, Theodore Harrell, Jasper Harrell, Margie Harrell, and Bertha Harrell. Alexander died in 1914 in Tangipahoa Parish and is buried in Big Zion AME Zion Cemetery in Roseland, Louisiana. 

According to the 1910 United States Federal Census, he was a farmer by occupation and could read and write.