Joseph Rankins Harrell

JOSEPH RANKINS HARRELL son of William Henry Harrell and his wife, Phoebe (Rhodes) Harrell, was born Nov. 12, 1849, in Guilford County, North Carolina, near Greensboro, William Henry Harrell end family lived near Greensboro when the Civil War broke out. Three of their children were old enough to go to war, viz, William Jr., Thomas, Louis. William Jr. and Thomas survived but Louis was never heard from thereafter. The younger children were: Joseph R. Philip H. and Sarah, Willian Henry Harrell and family moved to Columbus, Bartholomew County, Ind. soon after the close of the Civil War.

Joseph Rankins Harrell came to Nevada County when he was a young man. His brother, Philip H. Harrell came a few years later. They continued to live in Prescott until death.

J.R. Harrell had first a wagon and saddle shop in Prescott. Later he added gun smelting and finally bicycle repairing. He married Agnes Viola Hayes (b. May 4, 1859-d. April 24, 1938) daughter of Thomas Hayes and his wife, Mary (Trigg) Hayes. J.R. Harrell and Agnes Viola Hayes were married at Prescott, Arkansas, April 19, 1882. Her family is traced back to England in a book called, "The Hayes Family" compiled and edited by Royal S. Hayes, teacher of History in the Avondale School, Cincinnati, Ohio. Agnes Viola Hayes and family are mentioned on page 391 of the above-named book.

Joseph Rankins Harrell died July 2, 1928, in Prescott. He and his wife were buried in DeAnne Cemetery.

Their children are: Lula Glendora, Joseph Hartley, Opal Agnes, Lynn Jones, Howard Harris.

Their grandchildren are: Benjamin Harrell Steger, Gertrude Agnes Harrell, John Craddock Steger, Josephine Jennette Harrell, Lynn Jack Harrell, Howard Gresley Harrell, Lynell Harrell, Rodney Harrell Hamilton

(Data given me by Lula Harrell Steger, daughter of the Subject on March 20, 1940) See sketch of Philip S, Harrell