Jacob Summerlin Jr.

Jacob Summerlin (February 20, 1820 – November 4, 1893), aka the King of the Crackers and King of the Cracker Cow Hunters, was documented as the first child born in Florida after the land was ceded by Spain. This was again validated in about 2012-15 during Florida's 500-year celebration, as Florida honored him as one of three people who were most influential in the previous 500 years, along with Ponce de Leon.

Summerlin was known for his contributions to the early settlement of Florida, and especially for founding the county seats of Orange and Polk counties, which are Orlando and Bartow, respectively. In the years prior to the American Civil War, he was given slaves, whom he relinquished in exchange for cattle.

Summerlin was a highly successful cattleman, working up and down Florida, shipping cattle to Cuba for most of his life.

Prior to school integration, Summerlin Academy, the school for White students in Bartow, was named for him. After the schools were integrated in 1968, all students attended there, and the name was changed to Bartow High School. Summerlin Academy was reestablished in 2006 as a military school within Bartow High School.

Summerlin donated Lake Eola and land surrounding the lake in Orlando. This was named Lake Eola by his son, Judge Robert Summerlin. for a woman he loved. Robert graduated with a law degree from Georgia in 1885-87, became mayor of Orlando for about 1885 to 1892, then was elected judge.