Mel Drennen

Walter Melville "Mel" Drennen (born 1851 in Arkadelphia – died June 1, 1926 in Birmingham) was president of the Drennen Department Store and mayor of Birmingham from 1899 to 1905.

Drennen was the son of Reverend Walter Blythe and Matilda Cornwell Drennen of Walker and Blount counties. He attended the common school in Arkadelphia and settled in Birmingham where he pursued his career in business. He served as a member of the firm of Drennen & Company and president of the Martin Cracker Company. He managed the Palos Coal & Coke Company and was a member of the board of directors for the Birmingham Mutual Fire Insurance Company.

Drennen was elected mayor in the 1899 Birmingham mayoral election and re-elected to twice to two-year terms. He was presiding as mayor at the completion of the Birmingham City Hall in 1901 and served as president of the League of Alabama Municipalities.

Drennen owned the resort area at Blount Springs at its peak from 1900 to 1914. He married Eloise August Johnson on December 21, 1912 in New York City.

Preceded by: F. V. Evans

Mayor of Birmingham 1899 - 1905

Succeeded by: George Ward

References

• Owen, Thomas McAdory and Marie Bankhead Owen (1921) History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography. 4 volumes. Chicago, Illinois: S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
• Causey, Donna (June 14, 2009) "Drennen, Walter Melville (1851-aft. 1904)" Alabama Pioneers