James Cicero Fant

James Cicero Fant, third child of Edward Waldo and Sarah Caroline (Simmons) Fant of South Carolina, was born Sept. 1, 1866 in Anderson District, South Carolina. He died July 13, 1923 in Hot Springs, Ark. where he had gone for medical treatment. He came to Cass County, Texas in 1871 with his parents from South Carolina at the age of five. His grandfather, the Reverend David Monroe Simmons, a Baptist Minister for many years, and his family were among the immigrants on the wagon train. Rev. Simmons was a successful revivalist. He was actively engaged in the ministry of the Baptist Bear Creek Church, Cass County.

On March 5, 1892, Cicero married his second cousin, Mary Anna Cromer, (March 18, 1876 -Aug. 16, 1899J. She was the daughter of Sheithel H. and Edna Frances (Simmons) Cromer. Both are buried in Lanier Cemetery, Cass Co. Texas.

1. Daughter - unnamed 1894-1894

2. Roxie Fant (July 18, 1895 - May 22, 1970)

3. Louis Fant (Jan. 18, 1898 - Dec. 8, 1966) Single. On July 23, 1900, he married again: Mary Janie (Moore) McGuffin, (Aug. 29, 1863, S.C. - Jan. 19, 1930) buried New Prospect Cemetery, Marion County, Texas beside her first husband, Rev. J. W. McGuffin.

Janie was such a wonderful step-mother, it was hard for anyone to believe she was not the natural mother to Roxie and Louis.

Cicero was converted and joined the Friendship Baptist Church, Lanier about 1893. Through the years he loyally followed his Lord and Savior. In 1908, he moved to Linden where he engaged in the hardware and funeral business. He owned the first funeral hearse in Linden. It was drawn by horses, and beautifully ornamented with gold. He and my father, Roy Perry Fant, were the first to have electric lights in Linden. They had a dynamo located in our horse lot. His son, Louis, and my brothers, Frank and Harris’s duty was to keep the engine running. The dynamo furnished electricity to their businesses, our homes, the Baptist Church and the Picture Show. Cicero was a great asset to Linden, ever faithful to his friends and family and always liberal in his contributions to religious and civic endeavors. He was closely identified with the financial institutions of Cass County, where he accumulated quite a large estate. He was always a friend to the needy.

His daughter, Roxie, married Ellis Calvin Williams (Sept. 18, 1889 - Feb. 1961) June 4, 1916. Both buried Friendship Cemetery, Cass County, Texas.

1. James Ellis Williams (March 5, 1919), a retired teacher, with B.S. and M. L. Degrees. Remained single.

2. Jewell Louis Williams (Aug. 17, 1923) married Fred Joe Laurentz (Born Dec. 10, 1923) on Jan. 11, 1944.

3. Laurel Laurentz (Jan. 12, 1953) married to Tom Conan Gideon Nov. 19, 1981.

4. Alan Lee Laurentz (Jan. 28, 1957) married to Mitzi Denise Logan Jan. 16, 1982.

5. Anita Jean Laurentz (Oct. 14, 1964) -By Wilna Fant Fuller GEORGE WASHINGTON FANT George Washington Fant, 4th child of Edward Waldo and Sarah Caroline (Simmons) Fant, b. Dec. 27, 1868, Townville, Anderson County, South Carolina, came to Texas, Cass County in 1871, d. Nov. 13, 1932.

He m/1 Mary Ellen Heliums of Van Zant Co. Texas, b. July 31, 1873, d. July 21, 1930. He m/2 Callie Wilson in

1931.

In April 1911, they lived in Bloomburg, Texas, when the town was incorporated. April 13, 1911, “The Times” first newspaper, was edited by George in Bloomburg. His talents were many, farmer, merchant, State Representative from Cass County, and organizer of Farm Labor Bureau.

The Fant-Simmons descendants have produced many teachers and Baptist ministers.

Mary was a happy contented homemaker. Both buried Friendship Cemetery, Cass Co. Texas.

I. Robert Waldo Fant 1889 - 1958 m/1 Ollie Grubbs. m/2 Maylor (Peek) Perkins.

1. Doris Fant 1910 - 1968

2. Norma Fant 1912

3. Johnny Robert Fant 1934

4. Walter Franklin Fant 1936

5. Earl George Fant 1938

6. Melba Jean Fant 1942 II. Edward William Fant, b. June 19, 1891 d. Jan. 29,

1975, m. Cleo Mae (Dollie) Pruitt, b. Aug. 22, 1890, d. Oct.

15, 1974 buried Linden Cemetery, Cass County, Texas.

1. Terrell Mosely Fant 1912

2. Merle Lorene Fant 1915

3. George William Fant 1916 - 1981

4. Eddie Mae Fant 1918

5. Mary Lucille Fant 1920

6. James Pruitt Fant 1922

7. Monroe Louis Fant 1927 III. Hardy Heliums Fant, newspaper editor, b. Feb. 1,

1893, d. Dec. 8, 1977, m/1 Media Capps July 14, 1912, b. Sept. 19, 1897, d. May 9, 1968, buried Pittsburg, Camp Co. Texas. m/2 Lottie Montgomery.

1. Irene Fant 1913

2. Bruce B. Fant 1915

3. Beatrice Fant 1918

4. Hardy Kellums Fant, Jr. 1924 IV. Guy W. Fant, b. June 6, 1895, d. July 19, 1918 in France. Served in World War I -first soldier from Cass County Texas to be killed. Single.

V. Eula Mae Fant, b. April 28, 1897, m. Homer G. Taylor. VI. Manse Fowler Fant, b. July 12, 1899, d. Oct. 22,

1969. He served in the U. S. Marines during World War I, m. Irby Lemmon Dec. 19, 1924. She died Feb. 17, 1980. Both buried Oakwood Cemetery, Jefferson, Texas.

Lottie Joyce Fant 1928. VII. Nora Caroline Fant, b. March 8, 1901, married #1 &

#2 Hubert W. Cannon. m/3 Walter S. Belyeu.

1. Othella Cannon 1918

2. Guy Howell Cannon 1924

3. Carol Eugene Belyeu 1931

4. Ernest Fant Belyeu 1935 VIII. Charles Davis Fant, Sr., b. Sept. 18, 1903, d. June

22, 1978. Baptist Minister, m/1 Eva Gladys Moulton, Dec.

20, 1922, b. May 27, 1902, d. May 24, 1973 buried Molino, Escambia Co. Florida. I M/2 Lois G. Ates.

1. Henry Doyle Fant 1923. Baptist Minister.

2. Charles Davis Fant, Jr. 1926. Baptist Minister.

3. Harold Wayne Fant 1931 - 1931

4. Marshall Wyatt Fant 1935

5. Martha Lee Fant 1936

6. Mary Emma Fant 1939

7. John Preston Fant 1942 IX. Thomas Campbell Fant, b. Aug. 15, 1906. Retired mail carrier, m/1 Mary ?. m/2 Mattie Lee Young May 14,

1945.

James Campbell Fant 1946.