Jesse Cornwell Gunter was the son of Hiram Gunter and Elizabeth A {Bettie} Cornwell. He grew up in Western North Carolina and raised his family there.

On 10 Oct 1864 in Macon County, N.C., 16-year-old Jesse Cornwell Gunter enlisted in the Civil War and served in Company K, 1st Regiment, North Carolina Calvary.

He was married 1st to Catherine Richeson about 1867 in Cherokee County, NC.

Six children would be born to this union:
* Roxanna Rosetta "Roxie" Gunter [1868-1963]
* Hiram Gunter [1870-1884]
* Phillip Pinkney "John" Gunter [1872-1948]
* Betty Gunter [1874-1884]
* Elbert Syrene Gunter [1876-1920]
* Nancy Irene "Nannie" Gunter [1879-1918]

It was in 1875 that Jesse decided to leave his home in the Stecoah Township of Graham County and travel to Welch Cove to visit his brother Marion Syrene Gunter. It wasn't far "as the crow flies", but by foot it could have been a world away.

Like many others, Jesse lost his heart to Welch Cove ... so when he returned to Stecoah he loaded his wife Catherine and their children into the ox-sled, along with their meager belongings and ventured his way back to this new and promising land. In time he constructed his story and a half log home with acres of yard and rail fence.

In February 1884 tragedy struck and he and Catherine would lose two of their children and in 1888, Catherine would die.

After the death of his wife Catherine and of his brother Marion Syrene Gunter both in 1889, Jesse would marry his brother's widow, Martha Rebecca {Calhoun} Gunter on 04 Jul 1890 in Graham County, NC.

Three children would be born to this union:
* Martha Clarenda "Clara" Gunter [1890-1926]
* Jesse Oliver Gunter [1893-1915]
* Charlotte N Gunter [1895-1918]

Jesse died from Bright's Disease in Waynesville, Haywood County, NC. His body was transferred to Fort Smith and was buried on 25 Oct 1917 in the family plot. He preceded his second wife, Martha in death.