Jefferson Hunt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jefferson Hunt
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| California State Assembly Utah Territorial Legislature |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | January 20, 1803 Bracken County, Kentucky |
| Died | May 11, 1879 (aged 76) Oxford, Idaho |
| Political party | Whig, Democratic |
| Spouses | Celia Mounts Matilda Nease |
Jefferson Hunt (born January 20, 1803 – died May 11, 1879) was an important western pioneer, soldier, and politician in the United States. He was a leader in the Mormon Battalion, a high-ranking officer (brigadier general) in the California State Militia, and served in both the California State Assembly and the Utah Territorial Legislature.
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Early Life and Family
Jefferson Hunt was born on January 20, 1803, in Bracken County, Kentucky. His parents were John Hunt and Martha Jenkins. Some records show his full name as Charles Jefferson Hunt, while others say Jefferson David Hunt.
He married Celia Mounts in December 1823. In 1834, both he and Celia became members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were baptized on March 7, 1835.
Moving West with the Mormons
In 1837, Jefferson and Celia, along with their six children, began moving west with other members of their church. They traveled to Far West, Missouri. Some sources say they first moved to Clay County, Missouri, before reaching Far West. This journey took the Hunt family about four weeks. Jefferson Hunt later helped as an Assistant Marshall.
The family moved again with the Mormons to Illinois. They settled about twenty miles outside of Nauvoo, Illinois. Jefferson Hunt became a major in the Nauvoo Legion, a local military group. He was also ordained as a High Priest in his church. Later, he became an early participant in plural marriage when he married Matilda Nease.
Serving in the Mormon Battalion
In 1846, while staying at Council Bluffs, Iowa, Jefferson Hunt joined the Mormon Battalion. This group was formed at the request of the U.S. government to help in the Mexican–American War.
Hunt was made a Captain and led Company A. Two of his sons also joined the battalion and served under his command. He even took temporary command of the entire battalion when its leader died, until a new commander arrived.
During the battalion's long journey, Hunt's company made a famous peaceful exchange with Mexican forces. This event was called "The Exchange at the Presidio." It happened near what is now Tucson, Arizona. A statue in downtown Tucson remembers this important event.
His whole family traveled with the battalion. They completed what might be the longest march in U.S. military history, ending in San Diego, California.
Adventures in California
After finishing his service in the Mormon Battalion, Hunt and his family settled in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1847.
Soon after, Hunt suggested going back to California. He wanted to bring food and supplies for other new arrivals in Utah. Church leaders approved his idea. Hunt made this journey with Porter Rockwell, several former Mormon Battalion members, and two of his sons.
Later, he guided several groups of people looking for gold from Utah to California. One group became impatient with Hunt's careful pace. Many of them decided to leave his group and try their own route to California. They became known as the famous Death Valley '49ers, who faced great hardship. Those who stayed with Hunt completed the journey safely.
In 1851, he briefly represented Iron County in the Utah Territorial Legislature. He was not living in Iron County at the time, but he was passing through when elections were held, and the local people chose him.
Life in California
In 1851, his church asked him to help start a Mormon colony in San Bernardino, California. This colony was the first American settlement in California after it became a state.
In San Bernardino, he helped build a large log fort. It was the biggest log fort ever built in California history.
From 1853 to 1857, Jefferson Hunt served as a member of the California State Assembly. He was elected to represent Los Angeles County. In his first year, he introduced a law to create San Bernardino County. This law passed. When San Bernardino County was formed, he became its first Assemblyman. He is honored as the "Father of San Bernardino County," which is the largest county in the connected United States.
In 1856, he was appointed as a brigadier general in the California State Militia. This was a high military rank.
Later Years and Legacy
In 1860, Jefferson Hunt founded the town of Huntsville, Utah.
He served again as a representative to the Utah Territorial Legislature in 1863. This time, he represented Weber County.
Jefferson Hunt died on May 11, 1879, in Oxford, Idaho. He is buried at the Red Rock Cemetery in Bannock County, Idaho.
The town of Huntsville, Utah, is named after Jefferson Hunt.
Many of Jefferson Hunt's descendants have also become well-known:
- John Hunt Udall, his great-grandson, was the Mayor of Phoenix, Arizona.
- Jesse Addison Udall, another great-grandson, was the Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court.
- Don Taylor Udall, a great-grandson, was an Arizona State Legislator.
- Nick Udall, his 2nd great-grandson, was also the Mayor of Phoenix, Arizona.
- Gordon Harold Smith, his 3rd great-grandson, served as a U.S. Senator from Oregon.
- Milan Dale Smith, Jr., his 3rd great-grandson, is a Federal Judge on the U.S. 9th Circuit.
