Jean Benjamin Morantini was born on November 5, 1845, in Natchitoches, Louisiana, his father Jean Morantini was 25, and his mother Marie Magedilene Eufroisen Frederic was 23. He was the fifth of six known children. His last name was sometimes referred to as "Morantine."

His first wife was Marie Suzette Zorich, with whom he had three children, Coralie, Marie Louisa and John Lenini "Uncle Nean." His second wife was Marie Julie Derbanne, with whom they had one child Marie Clara Morantine. Jean Benjamin inherited land from Marie Julie when she passed away.

His third wife was Sarah Jane Brown (last name was possibly Cupp). Their children included Frances Malinda, Lucy, Alice, Clara, Eldora "Dora," John Benjamin, Alida, and Anna.

During the Civil War, Jean Benjamin enlisted as a Private in Company B, Maddox's Regiment, Louisiana Reserve Corps. Little is known of this company, which was most likely a home guard. Other members of this unit where known to have been enlisted in other companies during the war. He received his parole in June 1865 at Natchitoches.

In the 1850 census, Jean Benjamin was identified as a trader, and later in 1865, he was recorded as being a partner in a local store named "Morantine & Calhoun," located on the Rapides bank of the Cane and Red rivers (now Grant Parish). This venture was followed by "Morantine & Rachal." He was also recorded as owning a small steamboat and barge that he used on the Cane River named the "J. C. Rodgers." The 1870 census identified Jean Benjamin as a planter, which denotes a much larger planting operation than the common farmer, in Natchitoches and was a resident of Ward 9, near Cloutierville.

In 1872, Jean Benjamin and his brother John Clement Morantini, and over 100 others shareholders partnered to establish the New Orleans and Grand Ecore Packet Company, with it's office in New Orleans. "The operations of said company shall be the purchase, or building, or chartering of one or more steamboats, and the carrying of freight or passengers, or both, on said boats, up and down the Mississippi river and Red river and tributaries."

In 1879, Jean Benjamin was sued in court, with a judgement of $4,250 against him. In 1882, he was listed as a witness for a criminal trial, for which he was not present, with the District Attorney stating that he had good reason to believe that Morantine had been tampered with and induced to be absent.

Jean Benjamin died in 1882. He is known to be buried in an unmarked rave at the Rachal Cemetery in Marco, just south of Natchitoches. This cemetery is located adjacent to his property on the lower Cane River.