Hunt, Jefferson

22 Jan. 1804–11 May 1879. Farmer, colonizer, scout. Born at Bracken Co., Kentucky. Son of John Hunt and Martha Jenkins. Moved to Albion, Edwards Co., Illinois, 1816. Married Celia Mounts, 1 Dec. 1823, in Illinois. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Charles Patten, 7 Mar. 1835, in Albion. Moved to Far West, Caldwell Co., Missouri, 1837. Participated in Battle of Crooked River, near Ray Co., Missouri, 25 Oct. 1838. Moved to Illinois following extermination order of Governor Lilburn W. Boggs, 1839. Settled in Bear Creek, Adams Co., Illinois. Served as presiding elder of Bear Creek branch. Appointed aide-de-camp and major in Nauvoo Legion, 1 May 1841. Ordained a high priest, 10 Aug. 1844, in Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Illinois. Senior Latter-day Saint officer in Mormon Battalion in U.S. war with Mexico, 1846–1847. Migrated to Salt Lake Valley, Oct. 1847. Assisted in founding settlements that would become Provo, Utah Co., Utah Territory, 1849, and San Bernardino, San Bernardino Co., California, 1851–1857. Elected to California legislature, 1852. Returned to Utah Territory, 1857. Founded Huntsville, Weber Co., Utah Territory, 1860. Moved to Oxford, Oneida Co., Idaho Territory, 1865. Died at Oxford.