He was born to Josefa Brea and Matías Ramón Mella, one of the Founding Fathers of the Dominican Republic.

After the Cry of Capotillo on August 16, 1863, He went to the front and was under the orders of General Gregorio de Lora, with whom he went to fight in the Battle of Santiago (1863) in September 1863.

He carried out the entire restoration campaign, even after the death of his father in June of that same year, and eventually reached the rank of brigadier general.

Due to his political affiliation, he was arrested during the Six Years' War against Buenaventura Báez, who locked him up in the Ozama Fortress, in the capital city of Santo Domingo.

On March 21, 1868, at aged 30, he died in prison, as a consequence, as it was officially said, of the fractures and blows suffered by accidentally falling from his own feet.