Dr. Thomas W. So Relle, Rapides Parish, Louisianaa
Submitted by: Suzanne Shoemaker

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Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville,  1890

     DR. THOMAS W. SO RELLE, physician, Lena, La.  Dr. So Relle, one of the
many prominent and successful physicians of Rapides Parish, who have
ministered to the sick and afflicted of that parish, was born in Alabama,
in 1824.  His parents, S. J. and Mary E. (Hardy) So Relle, were born in
Georgia and South Carolina, in 1803 and 1806, respectively.  S. J. So Relle
came with his parents to Alabama in 1817, and although he never attended
school, he studied at home, and became quite thoroughly educated in the
English branches.  He taught school for some time, and in 1823 was married
to Miss Hardy, after which, for a few years, he followed farming.  Selling
out his farming interest, he began merchandising at Wetumpka, Ala., where
he continued until 1848, and then removed to Texas.  There he resumed
farming, continuing at this for two years, and then sold out.  He was
preparing to open a store at Port Lavacca in 1852, when he contracted
yellow fever and died.  Mrs. So Relle had died previous to this, in 1840.
Dr. Thomas W. So Relle received a good academic education in Alabama, and
afterward attended school in Baltimore and Norfolk, Va.  He then graduated
at the Eclectic Medical School of Cincinnati, Ohio, and after completing
his course, operated at Olney, Ala.  In 1845 his marriage with Miss Miriam
Ford, daughter of Rev. John and Jane (Head) Ford, was consummated.  Her
parents were born in South Carolina and North Carolina, in 1790 and 1791,
respectively.  The father was a minister in the Baptist Church, and was
also quite an extensive planter.  The father died in 1839, and the mother
in 1863.  After marriage Dr. So Relle removed to Mississippi, where he
resided at different places in the sate for twenty years, although he spent
four years of that time in Texas.  He entered the Mississippi State
Militia, but was detailed home to render medical services.  In 1869 he
removed to Rapides Parish, La., purchased a farm, and practiced his
profession twelve miles west of Boyce.  In December, 1888, he removed to
Lena, where he has since made his home.  He is quite a popular physician,
and has a good practice.  He is now justice of the peace, and socially, is
a member of the A. F. & A. M.  Mrs. So Relle is a member of the Baptist
Church.  They are the parents of eleven children-five sons and six
daughters-four sons and three daughters living, and all, with the exception
of one residing in Rapides Parish.