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Newell was born in  Port Gibson, [[Mississippi]], the eldest child of Edward Newell, a native of [[North Carolina]], and the former Celia Ann Dorsey, originally from Claiborne County, [[Mississippi]], and daughter of Dr. Samuel Dorsey, originally from [[Maryland]].  He was educated at the [[University of Virginia]] School of Law in Charlottesville, from which he graduated in 1859.  A year later, he obtained civil law credentials from the [[Tulane University]] Law School (then called "University of Louisiana") in [[New Orleans]]. He established his legal practice in St. Joseph, the seat of government of Tensas Parish, located along the [[Mississippi River]] levee in northeast Louisiana, and now the smallest parish in Louisiana in population.<ref name=bio>{{cite web|url=https://www.lahistory.org/resources/dictionary-louisiana-biography/dictionary-louisiana-biography-n/|title=Newell, John David Stokes|publisher=The Louisiana Historical Association: ''A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography''|accessdate=December 23, 2020}}</ref>

Newell was born in  Port Gibson, [[Mississippi]], the eldest child of Edward Newell, a native of [[North Carolina]], and the former Celia Ann Dorsey, originally from Claiborne County, [[Mississippi]], and daughter of Dr. Samuel Dorsey, originally from [[Maryland]].  He was educated at the [[University of Virginia]] School of Law in Charlottesville, from which he graduated in 1859.  A year later, he obtained civil law credentials from the [[Tulane University]] Law School (then called "University of Louisiana") in [[New Orleans]]. He established his legal practice in St. Joseph, the seat of government of Tensas Parish, located along the [[Mississippi River]] levee in northeast Louisiana, and now the smallest parish in Louisiana in population.<ref name=bio>{{cite web|url=https://www.lahistory.org/resources/dictionary-louisiana-biography/dictionary-louisiana-biography-n/|title=Newell, John David Stokes|publisher=The Louisiana Historical Association: ''A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography''|accessdate=December 23, 2020}}</ref>

During the [[American Civil War]], Newell fought with the Tensas [[Cavalry]] at the battles of [[battle of Shiloh|Shiloh]], Boonville, and Tenmark in [[Tennessee]] and the Second Battle of Corinth,  Mississippi. Newell rose to the rank of [[captain]] of Company F, McNeill's regiment of the Louisiana Cavalry. He commanded in all engagements along the [[Red River]].<ref name=bio/>

During the [[American Civil War]], Newell fought with the Tensas [[Cavalry]] at the battles of [[battle of Shiloh|Shiloh]], Boonville, and Tenmark in [[Tennessee]] and the Second Battle of Corinth,  Mississippi. Newell rose to the rank of [[captain]] of Company F, McNeill's regiment of the Louisiana Cavalry. He commanded in all engagements along the Red River.<ref name=bio/>

In July 1864, Newell married a first cousin, Nannie Newell, a Tensas Parish native. The couple had four sons, John Newell, Jr.,  Cecil E. Newell, Caroll Harper Newell, and Edward T. Newell. After the war, Newell returned to [[cotton]] planting at his Cypress Plantation and resumed his law practice. In addition to the establishment of Newellton in northern Tensas Parish, Newell promoted burgeoning public education. He served for many years on the Tensas Parish School Board and was its president in 1866 and again in 1892.<ref name=bio/>

In July 1864, Newell married a first cousin, Nannie Newell, a Tensas Parish native. The couple had four sons, John Newell, Jr.,  Cecil E. Newell, Caroll Harper Newell, and Edward T. Newell. After the war, Newell returned to [[cotton]] planting at his Cypress Plantation and resumed his law practice. In addition to the establishment of Newellton in northern Tensas Parish, Newell promoted burgeoning public education. He served for many years on the Tensas Parish School Board and was its president in 1866 and again in 1892.<ref name=bio/>