“Memorial and Biographical History of Dallas County,” published:  
Chicago;  The Lewis Publishing Company, 1892.


C.W.FANT,  druggist, 356 Bryant street, Dallas, Texas, has been identified with the 
growth and prosperity of this city since he located here in 1883, and is now one of its 
most prominent business men.  Briefly given, a resume of his life is as follows:

Mr. Fant was born in Virginia, December 31, 1838, son of Elias and Jane Fant, both 
natives of the Old Dominion.  His father was interested in the salt works of his native 
valley, and was a man of some prominence in his day.  He was an earnest Christian and a 
leading member of the Methodist Church.  Sometime in the early 40’s he made a visit to 
his brother in Mississippi, traveling by coach, and on the journey contracted a severe 
cold.  He died about 1844, after a year’s sickness, aged thirty-eight years.  The subject of 
our sketch was an only child, and his mother died when he was about six weeks old.  She, 
too, was a Methodist and a devoted Christian.

After the death of his father, young Fant, at the age of six years, was taken to Holly 
Springs, Mississippi, and reared by his uncle, James W. Fant.  This uncle was a civil 
engineer, and to him belongs the distinction of having established all the county lines in 
Arkansas and Mississippi.  Mr. Fant was educated in private schools and at the State 
University of Mississippi.  He quit school on account of failing health, and began the 
drug business under Dr. Litchfield at Holly Springs.

When the war came on he enlisted in the first company that was made up as home guards 
in Holly Springs.  This company was subsequently merged into the Fourth Mississippi 
Cavalry and was with General Forrest for thirty-six months.  Mr. Fant was in all the raids 
with that noted general, serving on scout duty most of the time; was at Selma, the last 
battle of the war.  He was never wounded, but at one time had his horse’s tail shot off.  
He was in close places many times and saw his share of hard fighting.

The war closing Mr. Fant returned to the drug business.  For thirteen years he was a 
druggist of Little Rock, and from there in 1883 came to Dallas.  Here he has since been 
engaged in his present business.

He was married in January, 1859, to Miss M.E. Potts, daughter of E.P. Potts, of Marshall 
county, Arkansas.  His only child by this union is Dora, now living in Virginia, wife of 
John M. Hughes, a merchant.  His second marriage occurred in 1878, with Miss M.A. 
Westmoreland, daughter of N.B. Westmoreland of Tennessee.  Both he and his wife are 
members of the Presbyterian Church.  Mrs. Fant is a Sunday-school teacher, a lady of 
much literary culture and social refinement.  Both occupy high social positions.

Submitted by:  L.Pingel