Jack Daniel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jack Daniel
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
Jasper Newton Daniel
January 5, 1849 Lynchburg, Tennessee, U.S.
|
| Died | October 9, 1911 (aged 62) Lynchburg, Tennessee, U.S.
|
| Occupation | Distiller |
| Years active | c. 1865–1911 |
| Known for | Jack Daniel's Tennessee whiskey |
| Relatives | Lem Motlow (nephew) J. Reagor Motlow (great-nephew) |
Jasper Newton Daniel (January 17, 1849 – October 9, 1911) was an American businessman. He was best known for starting the Jack Daniel's business, which makes a special kind of American spirit called Tennessee whiskey. He was a distiller, which means he made these spirits.
Contents
Jack Daniel's Early Life
Jack Daniel was the youngest of ten children. His parents were Calaway and Lucinda Matilda Daniel. His family had roots in Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. His grandfather was born in Wales, and his grandmother was born in Scotland. They moved to the United States in the late 1700s.
Jack Daniel's exact birthday is not known. Some records say he was born in 1846, others in 1849, or even 1850. A fire destroyed many old records in his hometown of Lynchburg, Tennessee. Also, his mother passed away soon after he was born, which added to the confusion about his birth date.
Jack grew up in the Primitive Baptist church. When he was a boy, he started working for a man named Dan Call. Mr. Call was a preacher, a grocer, and also made spirits. Stories say that Mr. Call saw how smart young Jack was and taught him how to make spirits.
However, more recent information suggests that Jack learned his skills from a man named Nearest Green. Nearest Green was an enslaved person who worked for Dan Call. This means that Nearest Green played a very important role in teaching Jack Daniel how to make his famous spirits.
Jack Daniel's Personal Life
Jack Daniel never got married and did not have any children of his own. But he took care of his nephews, treating them like his own sons. One of his nephews was named Lemuel "Lem" Motlow. Lem was very good with numbers and soon started handling all the money and records for Jack's business.
Jack Daniel's Later Years
In 1907, Jack Daniel's health began to fail. He decided to give his business to his nephew, Lem Motlow, and another nephew. Lem Motlow later bought out the other nephew and took full control of the business.
Lem Motlow ran the business for about 40 years. However, there were times when the business had to stop making spirits. This happened during a time called Prohibition in the United States, when it was against the law to make or sell spirits in many places. It also stopped during World War II when the government needed factories to make things for the war instead. Lem Motlow passed away in 1947.
Jack Daniel died in Lynchburg on October 9, 1911. He passed away from a serious infection in his body. There's a famous story that he hurt his toe by kicking his safe in anger because he couldn't open it. This story is often told, but it might not be completely true. Some people say he had a different health problem that led to his death.
Legacy
- Jack Daniel's story has been featured in TV shows, like the Spike TV series 1000 Ways To Die.
Images for kids
-
Daniel's safe
See also
In Spanish: Jack Daniel para niños
