Story; Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Tennessee, 1860.

"James Monroe Avent, a prominent and wealthy attorney of Murfreesboro, Tenn., was born December 10, 1816, in Greenville County, Va. His parents, James and Mary Avent, were natives, respectively, of Virginia and North Carolina, and removed from the father's native State to Alabama, from whence they came to this State and county in 1830. They resided here until 1856, when they removed to Hardeman County, Tenn., where the elder Avent died in 1868.

James M. Avent's boyhood's days were spent on the farm and in the schools, differing from the experience of many lads of his day, insomuch that his education was superior to that of the ordinary youth. He secured a good literary education at the Clinton College, in Smith County, Tenn. At the age of twenty-one he had decided to make the law his profession for life, and entered the office of Charles Ready, of this city, with whom he read law until he was admitted to the Rutherford County bar in 1840. He then engaged in the practice here, rapidly growing in reputation and character as a lawyer, and was for many years a partner of the late ex-Chancellor B. L. Ridley.

Mr. Avent is now the senior member of a well-known law firm of Avent, Smith, & Avent, and it may be justly said that he has contributed largely to the success and high standing of this firm at the Rutherford County bar. February 27, 1837, Mr. Avent married Mary W., the daughter of the late Maj. John W. Childress, of this county. The result of this union has been five children, the following four now living: Frank, James M., Bettie B., and Sarah W. Mr. Avent is a Democrat of the old "Jacksonian school," and has always been an active and zealous worker for his party, but never aspired to office. He has frequently been appointed judge pro tem of our courts, and discharged the duties of this highly responsible position in a manner that indicated his superior qualities as a jurist. He is a prominent member of the Masonic fraternity, and has been identified with all public and private enterprises that were calculated to promote the prosperity of the city and county. He was one of the organizers of the Stone's River Creamery Company, of which he is now president. Himself and wife have been life-long members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, and he is justly and universally recognized as one among the leading and successful citizens of our county, a lawyer of fine judgement and ability and a consistent Christian gentleman.”