Calvin Jake Hunter was born December 5, 1889 in Henry County, Tennessee to parents Elbert and Susan. He had no formal schooling of any type, but he taught himself reading, writing, and math. On March 12, 1911, Jake hitched an old mule to a buggy and drove over to his neighbor's house to pick up Francis Maude Howell and take her to get married. The marriage took place in Bumpus Mills, Tennessee. According to some accounts of the story, the wedding ceremony itself may have taken place in the buggy.

NOTE: The marriage certificate confirms March 12, 1911 as the date of marriage in Stewart County. The names listed on the certificate are Calvin J. Hunter and Maudie F. Howell. The marriage certificate appears to be the only record of the name "Calvin". In all other later legal documents, the full name is recorded as "Jake Hunter"

After some time living in Big Rock, Tennessee, the Hunters moved to Linton, Kentucky where Jake owned a general store. The Great Flood of 1937 devastated the Linton area and forced the family to relocate, so Jake purchased a farm to the east of Linton in an area known as Johnson Hollow. At Johnson Hollow, Jake farmed primarily tobacco and some corn. He also raised a small amount of cattle. Around 1939-1940, Jake was instrumental in founding the Joiner's Chapel Church of Christ. Prior to building the Joiner's Chapel building, the congregation met at Union Hill Church, which was a community church building on Crossroads School Road that was shared by the Freewill Baptists. Jake later became an elder at Joiner's Chapel.

Jake played checkers a lot and had a reputation of being a good checkers player around Trigg County. In 1973, Jake and Maudie moved from Johnson Hollow and purchased a small church building in the heart of Cadiz on Line Street from the Church of Christ. They converted the church building into a house, and they lived out their remaining years in that home.

Marriage to: Francis "Maudie" Howell

Parents of JAKE HUNTER:

Father: Elbert Jesse Hunter
Mother: Susan Caroline "Candler" Hunter

CHILDREN of Jake Hunter:

Richard "Troy" Hunter
William Francis Hunter
Robert Ray Hunter
Dorothy Mae Hunter
Charles Lacy Hunter
Howell Coolidge "H.C."/"Lucky" Hunter
Jake "Boozer" Hunter Jr.
Larry Gray Hunter

SIBLINGS of Jake Hunter:

Joe C. Hunter
Robert Elmo "BOB" Hunter
Rosie Belle Hunter Boren
Nannie Mae Hunter Curry
Jessie McKinley Hunter Darnell
Ollie L. Hunter
Henrietta E."Tennie" Hunter Warren

**In Memoriam**
(written by: Maude Hunter)

In memory of my husband, Jake Hunter, who passed away a year ago October 20.
Memories are treasures,
that no one can steal;
Death is a heartache
that nothing can heal;
Some may forget you
Since you are gone;
But I'll always remember
no matter how long.
I lived with you 66 years-- not long enough.

--Lonely wife, Maude Hunter