NATHAN AVANT: Industry, enterprise, perseverance, and characteristics which will advance interests of any man and will tend to the prosperity to which will advance interests of any man and will tend to the prosperity to which all aspire. Such are some of the traits of Nathan Avant, an early settler of Lavaca County, and one of the influential farmers and stockmen of this locality.

Mr Avant owes his nativity to Tennessee, his birth occurring in DeKalb County in 1835, and of the old fashioned family of 11 children born to his parents, Benjamin and Margaret (Fite) Avant; he was the 6th in order of birth.

His maternal grandfather, Leonard Fite was a native of PA and at a very early period came to TN where he was among the first settlers. He located in DeKalb County in 1800 and some of his descendants were and are among the prominent people of the state.

The paternal grandfather moved to TN about the same time. The parents of our subject were born in NC and TN respectively, and they were married in the latter state about 1820. At the last birthday celebration of our subject's grandmother, in 1866 or 1867, when she was 105 years of age, there were present 360 descendants.

The father of our subject came to TN in 1857 and bought land in Gonzales County where he died in 1874 when 74 years of age. The mother died in 1891 when 86 years of age. Of their large family of children, all grew to maturity and 9 are now living.

Until the age of 18, Nathan Avant remained in his native county and received his education and in 1855 he came to TX. 1st he located in Gonzales County and engaged for a time in teaming, following this for about 4 yrs. He then sold his team and went to McMillan County where he engaged in stock business until 1865 after which he came to Lavaca County, locating on the river below the town. He has some graded cattle, Jerseys and Holsteins.

Mr. Avant was married to Miss Marietta Heath, a native of TX and daughter of Richard Heath, who came from TN to TX in the 30's. Mr. and Mrs. Avant have had 6 children as follows: Ella O., deceased; Ada Dora, wife of L. B. Avant of TN, Benjamin, Theodore, and Carrie who died when 5 yrs of age.

Mr. Avant is quite active in Politics, is a worker in the People's Party, and has served 2 terms as county commissioner. He and Mrs. Avant are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.