He enlisted in Company "D" 14th Alabama Infantry Reg. on July 21, 1861. He was shot through the right leg fracturing the bone at 2nd Manassas, VA on August 30, 1862 and was taken to a hospital at Camp Winder, VA. He returned to duty in January, 1863. While on leave to Chambers County, AL, married October 22, 1863 to Margaret M. Ledlow. Was with his unit for the remainder of the War and was at Appamattox at the surrender in April, 1865. After the War he returned to Chambers County where he was a farmer and also operated Fant's Ferry (originally Talbot's) on the Tallapoosa River.

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1850 Chambers County, Alabama (Dist. 19) Census:

#H670

David H. Fant 37M Farmer R$500 Born SC

Cyntha Fant 39F Born SC

Jane T. Fant 15F Born SC

Joseph Fant 13M Born SC

Benjamin Fant 11M Born AL

Ephraim Fant 9M Born AL

JAMES FANT 8M Born AL

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1860 Chambers County, (Milltown) AL Census:

#H568

George S. Turner 54M Farmer R$8,000 P$20,000 (18-Slaves) Born GA

Mary Turner 54F Born NC

Joseph Turner 14M Born AL

Elizabeth Turner 10F Born AL

John Bonds 23M Teach(er) Com. School Born AL

JAMES FANT 18M Farm Laborer Born AL

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1870 Chambers County, (Milltown) AL Census:

#H211

*James Fant 27M Farming Born AL

*Margaret Fant 26F Keeping House Born AL

Mary A. Fant 4F Born AL

Ida Jane Fant 2F Born AL

**Mary Pechard 46F Born GA

*Chambers County, AL Marriage Record: James Fant and Margaret Ledlow on October 22, 1863, by James Hussey, JP.

**Mary Smith Ledlow Pickard, mother of Margaret.

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1880 Tallapoosa County, Alabama Census:

#H46

J.M. Fant 36M Farmer Born AL

Margaret M. 35F Wife Keeping House Born AL

Mary A. 13F Daughter Ast. Housekeeper Born AL

Ida J. 12F Daughter Born AL

Wm. D. 19M Son Born AL

Benj. F. 8M Son Born AL

Alonza J. 5M son Born AL

Joseph E. 2M Son Born AL

Note: James states that both parents were born in South Carolina. Margaret doesn't know where her father was born, and mother was born in Georgia.

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1900 Chambers County, (Milltown) AL Census:

#H99

James M. Fant 56M Farmer Born Jan. 1844 in AL

Margaret Fant 55F Wife Born June 1845 in AL (Mother of 9 children; 9 living)

Lucius Fant 18M Son Farm Laborer Born Dec. 1881 in AL

Greenberry Fant 16M Son Farm Laborer Born Feb. 1884 in AL

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"The LaFayette Sun" - May 8, 1901:

A Fifty Pound Fish.

Mr. J. M. Fant, of Acme, was in town yesterday with a large catfish caught in the Tallapoosa River. The fish weighed fifty and a half pounds and measured three feet and ten inches. It was a monster and attracted a large crowd. Walter Alsobrook made an autopsy on the fish and the old rascal bit down on his hand, but no great damage was done. H. L. Williamson bought the fish and sold it out to his customers.

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"The LaFayette Sun" - February 19, 1902:

Acme.

Mr. J. M. Fant and wife are visiting in Jefferson County.

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"The LaFayette Sun" - June 29, 1904:

Mr. J. M. Fant Dead.

Mr. J. M. Fant, of Acme, died at his home on the 21st instant, in his 61st year. He leaves a wife and eight children. His remains were interred at Mountain Springs, Revs. W. H. Johnston and J. A. Dunn officiating.

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