J. Franklin Avant Biogrpahy


	This biography appears on pages 1547-1548 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	J. FRANKLIN AVANT is a native of Clinton county, Illinois, and the 
son of John V. and Mary (Trout) Avant, both parents born in the state of 
Ohio. He was born January 15, 1863, grew to maturity on a farm and 
received his education in the district school. He assisted his father in 
cultivating the farm until reaching the years of manhood, also helped 
the latter ship cattle to St. Louis, driving them from that city to 
Hastings, Nebraska. In the spring of 1885 Mr. Avant went, via Kearney 
and Broken Bow, to the Black Hills, and for some time thereafter was 
engaged with his father in buying cattle, the two finally locating 
ranches about six miles from the town of Hermosa. Mr. Avant has been 
engaged in stock raising ever since coming to South Dakota, and now owns 
one of the finest and best improved ranches in Custer county, the land 
being situated in one of the best grazing districts in the southwestern 
part of the state. While making this place his home, he has carried on 
his business in various parts of the country, and at intervals from 1893 
to 1897 he was engaged in running cattle about one hundred miles 
northeast of Rapid City, disposing of his interests there in the latter 
year. 

	In addition to his home place Mr. Avant owns a valuable ranch in 
the foot hills about six and a half miles southwest of Hermosa, the same 
well stocked, besides containing a number of substantial improvements. 
In December, 1903, with his brother George, he bought the Glendale hotel 
at Hermosa and since they have conducted the same. In politics Mr. Avant 
is a Republican, but not a partisan, and beyond voting for the regular 
nominees and defending the soundness of his principles, he takes no 
active interest in party affairs, being first of all a business man, and 
making every other consideration secondary thereto. He holds membership 
with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, in all of which organizations 
he has been honored with official positions, and in the deliberations of 
which he takes an active and influential part. The domestic life of Mr. 
Avant dates from the 7th day of January, 1893, at which time he entered 
the marriage relation with Miss Kate Hanlon, of Illinois, the union 
being blessed with one child, a son who answers to the name of Leonard 
Avant.