Born in Massachusetts February 20, 1796. His ancestors were from Bristol, England, and came to America before the Revolutionary period. Mr. Avery’s parents died in New York, and he moved to Illinois and from there to Missouri. While in Missouri, he married Nancy Brown Smelcher, a native of North Carolina. They had ten children. Mr. Avery returned to Illinois, where he lived until 1836, then came to this State and located in Union Township, where, with the exception of five years spent in Mt. Pleasant, he resided. In early life, Mr. and Mrs. Avery joined the Methodist Church, he in 1821, she in 1820. She remained a faithful and consistent member of the same until her death in this township January 18, 1879. In politics, Mr. Avery’s attention was early called to the Anti-slavery question, and he remained a faithful supporter of the cause until he saw his fond hopes realized in the issuing of the emancipation proclamation. In 1837, Mr. Avery was appointed County Surveyor, and occupied that position until 1840. He represented Henry County in the Sixth Territorial Legislature, 1841. While farming, both in Illinois and this State, Mr. Avery gave his attention to fruit growing, and in that line he was among the most successful; he now lives with his only son, Henry, where he can spend the remainder of his days in the ease becoming his advanced years.