Jasper Newton "Jack" Daniel ran away from home when he was seven, some time in the 1850s, and moved in with Reverend Dan Call and helped him with his whiskey business. Call later adopted Jack and eventually sold him his whiskey business.

"Church people started talking about how the minister was working for God on Sunday and then making liquor on Monday. In order to keep the church family happy the Minister sold the business to Jack for $25," said distillery guide Jesse James.

Decades later Daniel came into work early one morning before anyone else had arrived at the distillery. He wanted to complete some paperwork and needed to open the safe. He had trouble remembering the combination, however, and grew so frustrated that he kicked the safe with his left foot.