Location
Reddell is located in Evangeline Parish 10 miles west of Ville Platte on La. Highway 10 and three miles north of Mamou on La. Highway 13.

The History Of Reddell
The village of Reddell received its name from a man named Martin Jefferson(Jeff) Reddell. He came from west Texas and settled here about 1885. Mr. Reddell made the first windmill for the farmers of Reddell and the neighboring village of Vidrine because of the lack of water for cattle. He later opened a small country store and butcherblock(slaughter house)in about the year 1887. In later years, Mr. Reddell also established a voting poll and post office building next to his store.
By the 1900's the location where Mr. Reddell first settled was becoming well accepted as a prospering community.
Mr. Reddell's first born Jeff Jr. did much towards the advancement of Reddell. He bought a small piece of land between Reddell and Vidrine. He sold this land to John Lahay. Jeff Jr. also donated one acre of land for a cemetary, where the original clan is presently interred. In 1906, Jeff Reddell Jr. started a school. He also erected a Baptist Church. The last grandchild, Clayton Reddell who resided in Jennings, La. has passed away in 1987.
Today Reddell, La. has many business consisting of 3 grocery stores, a lumber yard, 2 churches, a car wash, a construction company, an auto salvage with a used car lot and our postoffice. The rural community of Reddell is primarily a farming community where the main crops planted are rice, soybeans and recently crawfish. None of the original building are still erect today. All that remains of the Jeff Reddell era is the cemetary and memory of the man that gave the community its heritage.

Population
1970 Approximately 250
1988 Approximately 400
1997 Approximately 900

Local Businesses

Mels' Grocery a small country store owned by Mike and Lisa Triplett. Its' specialty is smoked meats (this consist of tasso, sausage, smoked stuffed paunce and ribs) and stuffed meats(pork chops, pork roast, and fryers), boudin, cracklins, pig skins, and hoghead cheese. There is always fresh or frozen crawfish tails on hand.

Fusilier Lumber Yard Building material supplier for our area. Family owned buisness of Carl Fusilier. Great people who really take care of their customers.

Reddell Post Office first postmaster of Reddell was the founder M. J. Reddell serving until 1919. Second postmaster was Cleophes Miller serving for thirty years. Third postmaster was Emma Buller. Fourth postmaster was Genieve Guillory. The present office was built in March 1982. The fifth was Faye Lanthier serving from 1982-1984. We are presently served by Brenda F. Guillory and have been since 1984.

Reddell Family History

Martin Jefferson Reddell born August 1, 1861 in Leake County, Mississippi or Tennessee, son of Samuel Jefferson Reddell and Marguerite Sullivant Reddell. Married in 1880 to Costella Brannen, born December 1,1863 in Bulie, Alabama, daughter of Joseph Brannen. Martin Jefferson Died April 5,1925 and wife Costella died June 22,1926, both are buried in the Reddell cemetary.

Had children as listed.

Jessie born September,1881 in Cottengin, Texas. Married June 8,1904 to Luther Stell. Had two other marriages. The third was to J.N. Paulua.

Joseph Samuel born May 18,1884 and dies December 9, 1902, Reddell Cemetary.

Martin Jeff born December 1885. Married to Maud Holman December 31,1903

William "Willie" Robert born December 1887 in Cicot, La. Married Febuary 15,1906 to Adia Ardion. Had another marriage to Amie Cohen August 18.1927

Violot C. born November 1889, in Mamou, La. Married to Nervious'Bud' Guillory

Charley Edward born in 1892.

Clifford Cecil born March 1896

Ella Pearl born Febuary 14,1898, died November 27,1913, buried Reddell Cemetary

Winnie Davis born March 1900. Married William Keller March 6, 1920 in Eunice Catholic Church, La.

Vivian Victoria born April 6,1902 in Texas and died in Texas August 18,1902, body was brought back and buried in the Reddell Cemetary.

One Child Born dead in 1894

Rose May born 1903. Had two marriages. Died in New Orleans

Any comment my e-mail spearsville@centurytel.net

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