I Jack Daniel, one of 13 children, was born in 1850. Raised by a family friend before being hired out to work with the Dan Call family at the age of seven. Call, a Lutheran minister, also owned a whiskey still on the Louse River.
Over the next several years, I learned everything I could about whiskey making from Call. Then, in September of 1863, under increasing pressure to devote my life to lifting spirits rather than selling them, Call sold his still to me, when i was just 13 at the time.
I, like Dan Call, believed in mellowing fresh whiskey through hard maple charcoal. While this process was widely used, the time and expense involved made it less popular with penny-pinching whiskey makers. But I thought it was essential, so I perfected his charcoal mellowing process back in 1866. To this day, this still gives Jack Daniel's its smooth character and unique taste. In anticipation of government taxes, I registered my distillery in 1866. Being the first to do so. Making it the nation's oldest registered distillery.
Though only 5'2" tall, my stature as a distiller kept growing. To mark my 21st birthday, I went on a shopping spree in the city. I returned wearing a formal knee-length frock coat and a broad-brimmed planter's hat, which would become my daily uniform for the rest of my life.
In 1904 I entered my Old No. 7 Tennessee sipping whiskey at the World's Fair held in St. Louis, Missouri. Of the 20 whiskeys from around the world, mine was the only one awarded the World's Fair Gold Medal and honored as the world's best whiskey.
Around 1905, I arrived at work early one morning and tried to open the safe in my office. I couldn't remember the combination and so I kicked it in anger. The blow broke my toe and an infection set in. I eventually died from blood poisoning in 1911.
Because I never married or had children, I deeded my distillery to his hard-working nephew, Lem Motlow, who oversaw the distillery through Prohibition.
How old am I?A town fire that destroyed courthouse records and conflicting headstone dates on me and my mother's graves have left my exact date of birth in question. All that's certain is the month of September. But, for an American icon like me, one day isn't enough time to celebrate his life, anyway.
Family Tree
If you didn't already know, Jasper Newton "Jack" Daniel was a real person. And in case you're curious, here's his family tree. His father was Calaway Daniel. When you go to the Calaway Daniel family tree, look for Jasper Newton in the list of thirteen children. You can also trace Lynne Tolley's tie to Mr. Jack. Start with Calaway Daniel and then find his daughter Finetta Josephine Daniel (Lynne's great-grandmother). Finetta was the mother of Lem Motlow and Lillian Elizabeth Motlow (Lynne's grandmother). Lillian was the mother of James Conner Tolley (Lynne's father). And that's how Lynne Tolley came to have Jack Daniel in her blood. The rest of us will have to be content to have his spirit in our blood.
Awards
It's nice to be recognized for your work. And over the years, the Jack Daniel Distillery has been honored many times for its fine Tennessee Whiskey. Just take a look at any bottle of Old No. 7 and you'll see a list of the Gold Medals we've received for our whiskey.
1904
First gold medal won by Jack Daniel's Whiskey at the World's Fair in St.Louis. "Gentlemen, the Gold Medal for the world's finest whiskey goes to Jack Daniel Distillery, Lynchburg, not Virginia, but Lynchburg, Tennessee." -- Mr. Henry Hoctor's announcement at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, after the international judges had tasted from 24 long tables of whiskey from around the world.
1905
First gold medal won by Mr. Jack outside the United States in Liege, Belgium.
1913
Lem Motlow entered Jack Daniel's Whiskey and won this gold medal in Ghent, Belgium.
1914
The gold medal awarded during the Anglo-American Exposition in London, England.
1915
The Certificate of the Institute of Hygiene was presented to Jack Daniel's in London, England.
1954
The Star of Excellence awarded Jack Daniel's in Brussels, Belgium.
1981
Gold medal with palm leaves from Institut Pour Les Selections De La Qualite, Amsterdam.
