Ellis was born in Nixburg , in Coosa County , Alabama . He obtained a B. Ped degree from Troy Normal School in 1907 , and a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Alabama in 1909 . Ellis practiced law in Columbiana , Alabama . He served as a State Senator from 1927-1931 , a Representative in the Alabama Legislature from 1936-1943 , and a mayor of Columbiana for two terms . In 1948 , Ellis served as an Alabama delegate at the Democratic National Convention . After Hubert Humphrey 's address , Ellis led 13 members of the Alabama delegation ( that was also joined by the entire Mississippi delegation ) in a walk out , leading to the creation of the short-lived Dixiecrat political party
Democratic National Convention
1948 Democratic National Convention
Leven H. Ellis