Edward D. Newell
Encyclopedia
Edward Drumgould Newell (February 22, 1810 — June 10, 1888) was a pioneer planter in Tensas Parish, Louisiana
. The town of Newellton
was named in his honor by son, John David Stokes Newell
(1837–1899).
Newell was born in North Carolina
and educated at La Grange College in Alabama
. With his brother, Thomas M. Newell, he entered business at Grand Gulf in Mississippi
. In 1834, the Newell brothers relocated to Tensas Parish. He married the former Celia Ann Dorsey (born 1815), and the couple had six children.
Edward and Thomas Newell opened up and settled the area of northern Tensas Parish known as Newell's Ridge. The brothers invented the Newell Cotton Press. He purchased some 30,000 acres (120 km²) of public lands, a part of his Cypress Plantation.
Newell was active in the Democratic Party
. He was a member and president of the Tensas Parish Police Jury (the equivalent of a county commission in most states). He was a member of the Louisiana State Senate
from 1857 to 1861. He was elected to the secession
convention in 1861 and supported the secession of Louisiana from the union of states.
With other investors, Newell in 1852 purchased a printing press to establish the weekly newspaper Tensas Gazette, published in St. Joseph
, the seat of Tensas Parish.
The historic Newell Cemetery near Newellton is also named for him.
Tensas Parish, Louisiana
Tensas Parish is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The seat of the parish is St. Joseph. In 2010, the population of Tensas Parish was 5,252; it is the least-populous of all sixty-four parishes....
. The town of Newellton
Newellton, Louisiana
Newellton is a town in northern Tensas Parish in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Louisiana. The population is 1,227 in the 2010 census, a decline of 255 from 2000. Newellton is some 65 percent African American. It is just west of the Mississippi River on Lake St. Joseph, an ox-bow lake....
was named in his honor by son, John David Stokes Newell
John Newell
John David Stokes Newell, Sr. , was a Louisiana planter and lawyer who founded the Tensas Parish town of Newellton, which he named for his father, Edward D...
(1837–1899).
Newell was born in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
and educated at La Grange College in Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. With his brother, Thomas M. Newell, he entered business at Grand Gulf in Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
. In 1834, the Newell brothers relocated to Tensas Parish. He married the former Celia Ann Dorsey (born 1815), and the couple had six children.
Edward and Thomas Newell opened up and settled the area of northern Tensas Parish known as Newell's Ridge. The brothers invented the Newell Cotton Press. He purchased some 30,000 acres (120 km²) of public lands, a part of his Cypress Plantation.
Newell was active in the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
. He was a member and president of the Tensas Parish Police Jury (the equivalent of a county commission in most states). He was a member of the Louisiana State Senate
Louisiana State Legislature
The Louisiana State Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is bicameral body, comprising the lower house, the Louisiana House of Representatives with 105 representatives, and the upper house, the Louisiana Senate with 39 senators...
from 1857 to 1861. He was elected to the secession
Secession
Secession is the act of withdrawing from an organization, union, or especially a political entity. Threats of secession also can be a strategy for achieving more limited goals.-Secession theory:...
convention in 1861 and supported the secession of Louisiana from the union of states.
With other investors, Newell in 1852 purchased a printing press to establish the weekly newspaper Tensas Gazette, published in St. Joseph
St. Joseph, Louisiana
St. Joseph is a town in and the parish seat of Tensas Parish in northeastern Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,340 at the 2000 census. The town is 69 percent African American. St. Joseph is the entry community to Lake Bruin State Park located on Lake Bruin, a relatively clear oxbow...
, the seat of Tensas Parish.
The historic Newell Cemetery near Newellton is also named for him.