This was the family that the town of Avera, Jefferson Co.GA was name .
Dr. Alexander Avera was born in Warren County Georgia October 2, 1830

(Source: Warren County Census records) He attended Charleston Medical College in 1858-1859. (Source: Copy of Charleston Medical College, Catalogue of Students). He received his medical diploma from Oglethorpe Medical College in Savannah, Georgia in 1860. (Source: Oglethorpe Medical College List of Graduates which listed Dr. Avera a Graduate of 1860 Fifth Session) Dr. Avera wrote his graduation thesis on "Intermittent Fever". (Notes: I have not found the thesis or diploma. Family lore led me to Emory University but they did not locate the thesis or diploma). I have, in my possession, a picture of Oglethorpe Medical College. It was sent to me by Ms. Frances Mull of Savannah, Ga. Her cousin graduated with Dr. Alex in 1860. His name was Lanier and the name appeared on the list of graduates) Dr. Avera moved to Jefferson County following his graduation from Medical College in 1860. According to the census he lived with the Ivey family. Dr. Avera enlisted into the Confederate Army in May 1862 as 2nd Lt. in Co. F, 8th Calvary. (Source: Roster of Confederate Soldiers of Ga. 1861-1865) He served in Co. F, 62nd Calvary also. (Source: Civil War Muster Rolls). He married Emma Holmes September 3, 1862. She was the daughter of Rev. Wiley T. Holmes, the first pastor of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Alex and Emma had 1 daughter, Caledonia DesLondes, nicknamed "Dessie". Emma died September 1, 1868. Dr. Avera married Anna Judson Holmes on January 28, 1869. (Source: copy of Marriage License). To this union was born 7 children. Dr. Avera donated the land for the railroad in the late 1800's and Nora Avera (daughter) served as Post Mistress. Dr. Alexander Avera died January 11, 1907 in Dublin, Georgia. He is buried at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Avera, Ga. A monument was erected in the center of town in the 1950's and stands today, in his honor. After the death of Dr. Avera, Anna sold some of the homestead property to Joseph Railey. She retained 2 acres and rented the house for $15 a year.