Son of a German Reformed Church pastor, Excell started his working life as a bricklayer and plasterer. His love of music called him though, and he went to Chicago, Illinois, to study under George Root. Excell went on to found singing schools at various locations in America, and to expand into the religious field, working with evangelist Sam Jones for two decades. Excell also wrote over 2,000 Gospel songs, and worked at a music publishing house in Chicago, Illinois.