When James Benjamin Avant was born on November 8, 1851, in Oxford, Mississippi, his father, William, was 24 and his mother, Rachel, was 24. He married Sara Jane Livingston on March 7, 1877, in Lafayette, Mississippi. They had eight children in 14 years. He died on December 4, 1927, in Millett, Texas, at the age of 76, and was buried in Dilley, Texas.

In 1885 James and Sara Jane moved from Lafayette County, Mississippi to Bell County, Texas and lived in the Temple/Belton area. James raised cattle and hogs and operated a meat market and saloon. In 1903, after losing his hogs to a cholera epidemic, he moved the family to Bryan County, Oklahoma where he opened a mercantile store. When a painter misspelled his name by painting "Avant" instead of "Avent" , he began doing business as J B Avant.

In 1915 J B was suffering from asthma, he and all of his children except for Mary Iola, whom was married, moved from Oklahoma to the drier climate of Millett, Texas. He purchased land in La Salle County and Frio County. He also owned and operated three mercantile stores in Millett, Woodward and Dilley, his sons assisted in the operations of the stores and the Hotel in Woodward, Texas.

In 1920 due to failing health, J B sought medical advice from his nephew, Dr. Kirl Avent of Grenada, Ms. In his search for a cure for cirrhosis of the liver, he underwent evaluation and treatment at Scott and White Hospital at Temple, Tx and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Mn.

At the time of his death, Dec 4, 1927, he and Sara Jane were living in the home of their daughter Amanda Smith., in Millett, Texas. After his death Sara Jane took turns living with their children.