Notes:

Family Group Sheet for Joseph R. HUMPHRIES Family

Husband: Joseph R HUMPHRIES (1)
Born: 17 Apr 1797 - Athens, Jackson Co, Georgia
Died: 26 Apr 1864 - Martindale, Caldwell Co, Texas
Buried: Apr 1864 - Humphreys Cemetery, Martindale, Caldwell Co,
Texas
Father: George W HUMPHREYS (1772-1865) (1)
Mother: Abigail McDONALD (1768-1849) (1)
Married: 1816 Place: Montgomery, Montgomery Co, Alabama
======================================================================
Wife: Sarah Jane JONES (1)
======================================================================
Born: 18 Feb 1799 - Athens, Jackson Co, Georgia
Died: 1 Apr 1889 - Martindale, Caldwell Co, Texas
Buried: Apr 1889 - Humphreys Cemetery, Martindale, Caldwell Co,
Texas
Father: Thomas JONES (Abt 1775- )
Mother: Mary ??? (Abt 1779- )
======================================================================
Children
======================================================================
1 F Elizabeth HUMPHRIES (1)
Born: Oct 1820 - Tuscaloosa Co, Alabama (2)
Died: 30 Jun 1903 - Frio Co, Texas
Spouse: James Riley LANGLEY (1811-1857) (1)
Marr. Date: 28 Dec 1837 - Chambers Co, Alabama (3)
Spouse: Reverend Samuel Ellis PEARCE (1814-1875)
Marr. Date: 8 Mar 1860 - Bexar Co, Texas
----------------------------------------------------------------------
2 M Seaborn HUMPHRIES
Born: Abt 1820 - Tuscaloosa Co, Alabama
Died: Abt 1903 - Frio Co, Texas
----------------------------------------------------------------------
3 F Tabitha Ann HUMPHRIES
Born: 1822 - Tuscaloosa Co, Alabama
Died: 1902 - Blanco Co, Texas
Spouse: Edmond Asa BARKER (Abt 1820- )
----------------------------------------------------------------------
4 F Melvina HUMPHRIES
Born: 30 Jan 1824 - Tuscaloosa Co, Alabama
Died: 18 Feb 1878 - Caldwell Co, Texas
Spouse: William Henry JENNINGS (Abt 1820- )
Marr. Date: 6 Nov 1845 - Lafayette Co, Mississippi
----------------------------------------------------------------------
5 M Ira HUMPHRIES
Born: 1826 - Tuscaloosa Co, Alabama
Died: Deceased
----------------------------------------------------------------------
6 F Harriet HUMPHRIES
Born: 23 Jan 1828 - Montgomery, Montgomery Co, Alabama
Died: Deceased
Spouse: Francis Marion AVENT (Abt 1825- )
----------------------------------------------------------------------
7 F Nancy HUMPHRIES
Born: 14 Apr 1831 - Marion, Perry Co, Alabama
Died: Deceased
Spouse: James PETTY (Abt 1830- )
Marr. Date: 6 Jan 1858 - Caldwell Co, Texas
----------------------------------------------------------------------
8 F Abigail HUMPHRIES
Born: 11 May 1833 - Marion, Perry Co, Alabama
Died: Deceased
Spouse: Colonel Fred MALONE (Abt 1830- )
----------------------------------------------------------------------
9 F Mary Ann HUMPHRIES
Born: 11 Dec 1835 - Oxford, Lafayette Co, Mississippi
Died: 17 Apr 1917 - Kyle, Hays Co, Texas
Spouse: William Jasper WYATT (Abt 1835- )
Marr. Date: 7 Mar 1860 - Caldwell Co, Texas
----------------------------------------------------------------------
10 M Jesse Lafayette HUMPHRIES
Born: 12 May 1838 - Alabama
Died: 5 Jun 1900 - Caldwell Co, Texas
Buried: Jun 1900 - Humphreys Cemetery, Martindale, Caldwell Co,
Texas
Spouse: Kay C WORD (1844-1869)
Marr. Date: 23 Sep 1868
Spouse: Eliza T Wiley FARMER (1848-1885)
Marr. Date: 14 Dec 1871 - Guadalupe Co, Texas
Spouse: Emma LACKEY (Abt 1845- )
Marr. Date: Abt 1883
----------------------------------------------------------------------
11 F Sarah Jane HUMPHRIES
Born: 1840 - Oxford, Lafayette Co, Mississippi
Died: Deceased
Spouse: Charles L McGEEHEE (Abt 1840- )
Marr. Date: 4 Oct 1858 - Caldwell Co, Texas

Harriet married Francis Marion Avent 1845, Lafayette, MS. Francis (son of Benjamin Edward Avent and Olive Crain Patton) was born 3 Jul 1823, Oglethorpe Co, GA; died 11 Feb 1902, San Antonio, Bexar, TX; was buried , Old Rock Cemetery (Plot #590), Old Somerset, Atascosa, TX. [Group Sheet]

Andrew — Mary E. Klemkey. Mary was born 31 Oct 1849, TX; died 14 Mar 1923, San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

U. S. Census 1880 Bexar County, Texas Page: 288A
Prect 18 10th June SD 6 ED 21

99/108
6 Avent, Joseph A. W M 31 Farmer MS GA ALA
7 Avent, Caledonia W F 26 Wife Keeping House ARK
8 Avent, Mary C. W F 10 Daug At School TX MS ARK
9 Avent, William A. W M 8 Son At School TX MS ARK
10 Avent, Agnes A. W F 6 Daug TX MS ARK
11 Avent, J. Thomas W M 4 Son TX MS ARK
12 Avent, Jesse Lee W M 2 Son TX MS ARK
============
1900 United States Federal Census, Justice Precinct 5, Bexar, Texas
Name Age

Joseph A Arant 51
Thomas J Arant 23
Jesse Arant 21
Oscar Arant 15

Joseph married Caledonia Stevens 21 Aug 1869. Caledonia was born 7 Jan 1854, AR; died 13 Jun 1890, Somerset, Atacosa County, Texas; was buried , Old Rock Cemetery (Plot #587), Old Somerset, Atascosa, TX. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Family Data Collection - Individual Records
Name: Benjamin Franklin Avent
Spouse: Emily Larkin Wheat
Parents: Francis Marion Avent , Harriet Humphries
Birth Place: Bxr, San Antonio, TX
Birth Date: 29 Mar 1851
Marriage Place: Somersetshire, Atacosta, TX
Marriage Date: 1874
Death Date: 1896
==================
1880 United States Federal Census
Name: Benj. F. Avent
Home in 1880: Bexar, Texas
Age: 29
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1851
Birthplace: Mississippi
Relation to head-of-household: Self (Head)
Spouse's name: Emily
Father's birthplace: Georgia
Mother's birthplace: Alabama
Occupation: Farmer
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Male
Cannot read/write:

View Image
Household Members:
Name Age
Benj. F. Avent 29
Emily Avent 23
Rosa Avent 5
Lillie Avent 3
Etta Avent 1

1900 United States Federal Census
Name: Emily L Avant
Home in 1900: Justice Precinct 5, Bexar, Texas
Age: 42
Birth Date: Jan 1858
Birthplace: Texas
Race: White
Ethnicity: American
Gender: Female
Relationship to head-of-house: Head
Father's Birthplace: Kansas
Mother's Birthplace: Mississippi
Mother: number of living children: 7
Mother: How many children: 7
Marital Status: Widowed
Residence : Justice Precinct 5 (South & East of R.R.), Bexar, Texas
Household Members:
Name Age
Emily L Avant 42
Rosa Avant 25
Arthur Avant 19
Bennie Avant 16
Lula Avant 15
Ira Avant 11

Benjamin married Emily Larkin Wheat 1874. Emily was born 1858; died 1936; was buried , Bexar Cemetery, Bexar Co., TX. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

U. S. Census 1910 Lincoln County, New Mexico Page: 226B Ruidoso 17th May

263/263

83 Avent, J. L. Head M W 53 M TX MS MS
Farmer General Farm
84 Avent, Ella Wife F W 39 M TX MS MS
8 children born 6 children living
85 Avent, Viola Daug F W 30 S TX TX TX
86 Avent, Leslie Son M W 18 S TX TX TX
Farm At Home
87 Avent, Bundy Son M W 14 S NM TX TX
Farm At Home
88 Avent, Julia Daug F W 12 S NM TX TX
89 Avent, Marshall Son M W 5 S NM TX TX
90 Avent, Fred Son M W 4 S NM TX TX
91 Crawford, Chas. Servant M W 45 S TX TX TX

U. S. Census 1920 Sierra County, New Mexico Page: 268B Prect 16 Faulkner 30 January SD 211 ED 740 Sheet 10B

28/32

70 Avent, Lafayette Head O M W 63 M TX MS ALA
Farmer Stock Farm
71 Avent, Ella Wife F W 50 M ALA MS MS
72 Avent, Marshall Son M W 17 S NM TX TX
73 Avent, Fred Son M W 14 S NM TX TX

29/33

74 Avent, Leslie Head O M W 28 S TX TX ALA
Farmer Stock Farm

Jesse — Ella Simons. Ella was born 1864, Lowndes Co., AL. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Family Data Collection - Individual Records
Name: Thomas Louis Avent
Spouse: Lizzie Huston
Parents: Francis Marion Avent , Harriet Humphries
Birth Place: Bxr, San Antonio, TX
Birth Date: 1858
Death Date: 10 Oct 1926

Thomas — Elizabeth Huson. Elizabeth was born 1875; died 1918. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Family Data Collection - Individual Records
Harriet Avent
Parents: Francis Marion Avent , Harriet Humphries
Birth Place: Bexar, San Antonio, TX
Birth Date: 1859
Death Date: 1940

Notes:

1920 United States Federal Census
Name: Cicero Avent
Home in 1920: District 2 and 24, Big Horn, Wyoming
Age: 59 years
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1861
Birthplace: Texas
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's Name: Fennie
Father's Birth Place: Georgia
Mother's Birth Place: Georgia
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Sex: Male
Home owned: Own
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Household Members:
Name Age
Cicero Avent 59
Fennie Avent 54
Agnes Avent 25
Alden Avent 21
Monroe Avent 18
Francis Avent 16
Nellie Avent 14
==================================
Family Data Collection - Individual Records
Name: Cicero Avant
Spouse: Fanny Alden
Parents: Francis Marion Avent , Harriet Humphries
Birth Place: Atacosta, Somersetshire, TX
Birth Date: 18 Mar 1860
Marriage Date: 1894
Death Place: Billings, Billings, MT
Death Date: 3 May 1942

Montana Death Index, 1907-2002
Name: Cicero Avant
Age: 82
Estimated birth year: 1860
Gender: Male
Death Date: 15 May 1942
Index Number: Blgs 6493
Source: Montana Office of Vital Statistics

Cicero married Fanny Alden 1894. Fanny (daughter of William Alden and Agnes Lowe) was born 1866, KS. [Group Sheet]

Leonidas — Mattie Lewis. Mattie was born 1864; died 1941; was buried , Blackhill Burial Park, Bexar Co., TX, USA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Family Data Collection - Individual Records
Name: Rutha Ruemma Avent
Parents: Francis Marion Avent , Harriet Humphries
Birth Place: Atcsst, Somersetshire, TX
Birth Date: 27 Dec 1863
Marriage Place: Somersetshire, Atacosta, TX
Marriage Date: 1882
Death Place: Somersetshire, Atacosta, TX
Death Date: 25 Jul 1954

Notes:

Information courtesy of Rue Avant, 6/5/07. Ira and his brothers were gold miners who went first to Alaska during the gold rush, and then to Peru looking for gold. Pic also courtesy of Rue Avant (2019).

Ira — Ida May Unknown. [Group Sheet]

Ira — Esther Recharte Mazit Rozas. Esther was born 28 Nov 1890, Cuzco, Peru, South America; died 1945. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Family Data Collection - Individual Records
Name: Molly Avent
Parents: Francis Marion Avent , Harriet Humphries
Birth Place: Atcsst, Somersetshire, TX
Birth Date: 12 Dec 1869
Death Date: 1940

William — Mary Melinda Placker. Mary was born 1 Oct 1874, TX; died 14 Oct 1918, San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX. [Group Sheet]

William — Louisa T. Moncer. [Group Sheet]

James — Mamie Josephine Stokes. Mamie (daughter of Abner Stokes and Minnie Bon Riley) was born 17 Feb 1888, Gonzales Co., TX; died 26 Dec 1971. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

buried at Old Rock Cemetery
Somerset
Atascosa County
Texas, USA

Oscar married Ora Mae Smith 30 Jun 1904, Old Somerset, Atascosa, TX. Ora was born 15 Sep 1884, San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX; died 15 May 1931. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

SSN card issued WA.

Marriage info per Tishomingo Co. records.

Children (except Hazel May) from 1930 census: AZ, Yavapai Co., Jerome TWP

Howard married Lallie Jorgenson 1 Jan 1910. Lallie was born Abt 1890. [Group Sheet]

Howard married Mary Stanisky Abt 1917. Mary was born Abt 1890. [Group Sheet]

Alden — . Unknown [Group Sheet]

Notes:

1930 United States Federal Census
Name: Monroe Avent
Home in 1930: Avent, Big Horn, Wyoming
Age: 27
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1903
Birthplace: Wyoming
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's Name: Enid
Race: White

Household Members:

Name Age

Cicero Avent, 69, TX, AL, US
Fanny, 65, KS, VT, US
Monroe Avent, 27, WY, TX, KS
Enid Avent, 25, MI, Sweden, Nor (?-Norway)
Doris Avent, 3,MI, WY, MI
Lois Avent, 2, MI, WY, MI
Adelle Avent, 1, MI, WY, MI
============================
California Death Index, 1940-1997
Name: Ira M Avent
Social Security #: 282100024
Sex: MALE
Birth Date: 5 Jan 1902
Birthplace: Wyoming
Death Date: 2 Oct 1960
Death Place: San Luis Obispo
Mother's Maiden Name: Alden
===================

Ira — Enid Victoria Olson. Enid was born 13 Feb 1902, Escanaba, MI; died 31 May 1989; was buried , Cambria Cemetery, CA. [Group Sheet]

Harriet — George Burton. [Group Sheet]

Wendell married Frida Berti Ocampo Peru. Frida was born 20 Nov 1921, Lima, Peru, SA; died 23 Sep 2019, Lima, Peru, SA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Info from Jennifer Avant Goodwin, 10/2011.

Teddy — Adriana Arredondo Basso. [Group Sheet]

Millard — Rhoda Irene McKinny. Rhoda was born 24 Apr 1902, TX; died 29 Mar 1981, Pasadena, Harris Co., TX. [Group Sheet]

Zella — James Robert Lowe, Sr. [Group Sheet]

Leonard married Leona Kirchmeyer [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Police Chief of Corpus Christi, TX. Article written in newspaper upon his retirement in 1977:

35 Years on police force
Chief Avant will retire June 30
by Mike Norman
Staff Writer

James H. Avant, who answered a newspaper ad for policemen here in 1941 and then rose through the ranks to serve 5 1/2 years as chief of police will retire next month.
The 63-year-old police chief’s plans were announced to the City Council yesterday afternoon by City Manager Marvin Townsend, who gave Council members copies of a letter in which Avant said he would retire June 30.
Townsend said after the meeting he will name an acting chief of police “probably in the middle part of June.” He said he will advertise “both inside the city and outside” to find a permanent chief.

Avant had been working for Rainbow Bakery here 35 years ago when he noticed a morning newspaper ad saying policemen were needed.

“I sure never thought when I saw that ad that I would someday be sitting behind this (police chief) desk,” he said. “This job has been real good to me.”

The police chief said yesterday he wants to retire because “there’s just some other things I want to do.”
“I’m not doing this because of my health or anything like that. In fact, that’s one of the reasons I want to do this now, so I can do some things while I still have my health,” he said.

Avant is an avid hunter and fisherman. He spends much of his leisure time at his lakeside home near Mathis. He said one of the chief joys there is tending his garden.
He said he wants to be able to spend more time with his wife. “I owe a lot to her. Without her support, my long police career would have been impossible.”

He also wants to spend more time with his family, including two granddaughters, and do “a limited amount of traveling to some places in this country I haven’t seen, and to visit some people I have know for a long time.”
Avant has been the police department’s leading advocate, as well as its administrative head, and said he is proud of the department’s record during the years he served as chief.

“I think we’ve made more progress here in the past five years than has been made in the history of the department,” he said.

Avant was named Acting Chief on Oct. 8, 1970, following the resignation of R. T. Runyan. Four months later, he was officially appointed chief of the department.
The federal Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, the agency through which federal funds are funneled to local law enforcement agencies, came into its heyday during Avant’s term in office, and his efforts were instrumental in garnering more than $2 million in federal money for the department.

Five specialized bureaus were added with the funds, including the Nueces County Organized Crime Control Unit, the Crime Prevention Unit, Community Relations Bureau, Youth Bureau and a Planning and Research Bureau.
“When these grants first started coming out, a lot of cities held back. I didn’t - I went for all I could get,” he said.

Asked what he considers the department’s most pressing need now, he cited “immediate expansion of the facilities.” He said many parts of the Police Building are overcrowded and the Crime Prevention Unit and stolen property warehouse are housed outside the building.
“I think if we don’t expand our building pretty soon, we’re going to have to start looking for some more outside space,” he said.

Avant had a puzzled look but a quick reply when asked why he first went into police work. “I don’t know,” he said. “I guess it was for the excitement. It took me a couple of years to find out there was more to it than excitement.”

He said he almost didn’t follow though with his application because he was sick the day he was scheduled to take the police exam. “I decided to get out of bed and take it anyway, and I passed,” he said.

A few weeks later, he was hired and traded in a shotgun to buy his service revolver.

He said there was no training for officers at that time. “I didn’t know any law. They just gave me a badge and a uniform and told me to get out there and enforce the law,” he said. “I would just hear people yelling and call that disturbing the peace. People would be staggering down the street and I’d call that drunkenness and when a fight was going on I’d call that disorderly conduct.”
During Avant’s tenure as chief, the Corpus Christi Police Academy, though which local officers are trained, was expanded to provide 17 weeks of training.

Avant has a high school education. Today, there are five men on the police force with masters degrees.

At the time Avant joined the force, there were three “beats”: one on Corpus Christi Beach (then North Beach), one in the central city and one “out south,” which meant the Six Points area. Now there are 11 patrol beats in the city.

“They first put me out on the beach, and I got to like it. Then they sent me out south where I didn’t know anybody or anything. I couldn’t see any sense in it, and I got so mad I almost quit. My partner and I both thought the same way. Then a little bit later they gave me a new partner and I got even madder,” Avant said.

Some of the loudest grumbling heard at the Police Department during the past few years have come from the officers who are mad at Avant and his frequent shuffling of personnel. He has said his policy is to give officers experience in all areas of police work and all sections of the city.

Avant said when he first joined the department police cars were equipped with one-way radios. The police dispatcher cold relay assignments to the men in their cars, but they couldn’t respond.

The police communications system a few years later came to use two-way radios, but for many years it operated with only two channels. As the number of cars grew, the channels became overcrowded.

Shortly after Avant was named to head the department, a federal grant of more than $234,000 was added to $78,000 in city funds to expend the communications system to four channels. Through a later grant, a computer data retrieval retrieval system was tied in so that officers could obtain criminal history information rapidly by radio.

Avant worked in all sections of the police department, but said he liked the patrol section best because he “loved to catch burglars.”

“There were some days when I would rather catch some burglars than eat,” he said.

He rose through the departmental ranks rapidly and was named assistant chief in 1951, only 10 years after he joined the force. He was the first man in the history of the department to hold every rank from patrolman to chief.

Avant was philosophical about his experience on the force. “I think everybody should try to make a mark in this world, even if it’s just a scratch. This has been mine.”

Townsend said yesterday when announcing the retirement to the Council that he tried “vehemently” to get Avant to change his mind about leaving. “I wish he would stay with us a little longer,” the city manager said.

Council members suggested holding a party or dinner to honor both Avant and retiring longtime City Water Supt. Atlee Cunningham. Townsend said he would arrange the event.

From the Corpus Christi Police History Museum Facebook page: 6/30/19

James Hubert Avant lived at 412 North Chaparral with his wife, Nanette, and his mother, Mamie, in 1941 and was working for Rainbow Bread when he applied for a job with the Corpus Christi Police Department. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1947, captain in 1949, chief of detectives in 1950, assistant chief during Chief Roy Lay's term, and chief of police in 1970. He retired as chief in 1976, saying he wanted to leave while his health was good. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and visiting his family.
Of his thirty-five year career, Avant remembered when the police radio was one-way; officers could hear assignments, but they could not respond unless they found a telephone. He remembered when the force patrolled three beats, North Beach, downtown, and southside (Six Points.) As chief, he added departments such as the Crime Prevention Unit, the Nueces County Organized Crime Control Unit, the Community Relations Bureau, the Youth Bureau, and the Planning and Research Bureau. Having been hired before police academy training was provided, he ensured future cadets were better prepared by expanding the academies of the 1970s to seventeen-week training sessions.
Avant worked in all areas of the police department during his employment, but his favorite task remained arresting burglars. He said there were times he "would rather catch some burglars than eat." From Bishop, Avant died in Corpus Christi in 1994.

James — Nanette Williams. [Group Sheet]

Leola — Chester Spears. [Group Sheet]

Oscar — Marie Harriett Unknown. Marie was born 24 Feb 1922; died 14 Oct 1993; was buried , Hermosa Cemetery, San Bernardino, CA. [Group Sheet]

Richard — . Unknown [Group Sheet]

Doris — Al Riccilli. [Group Sheet]

Lois — Carl Meyer. [Group Sheet]

Ira — Janet Irene Thomas. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

From Tracy L. Avent, 1/2011:

After 1973 death of brother William, Avent Monroe Burton married William's widow Mary Ann, and they raised William's children.

Avent — Patricia Patterson. [Group Sheet]

Avent — Mary Ann Unknown. [Group Sheet]

William — Mary Ann Unknown. [Group Sheet]

Teddy married Cheryl Diane Harrison [Group Sheet]

Frank — Susan Unknown. [Group Sheet]