My Genealogy Hound

DAVID BROWDER, the oldest living settler in Fulton County, was born June 6, 1806, in Hopkins County, Ky., and is the youngest of eleven children born to Isham and Rachel (Slaton) Browder, natives of Virginia. Subject’s father was one of the first settlers of Hopkins County. David was reared on the farm, and came to the Purchase with an elder brother in 1825, and each entered 160 acres of land four miles west of Fulton. They hauled all their produce to Hickman, on the Mississippi River. They had to protect all they raised from thieves and wild animals. David had added to his property until he was owner of 600 or 700 acres of land. He lost seven slaves and some money during the war. Mr. Browder was married, September 3, 1821, to Mary Smith, of Hopkins County, Ky., daughter of Elias and Margaret (Vaught) Smith, natives of Kentucky. To this union were born eleven children, viz.: James A., deceased; Ellen M., now Nichol; Elizabeth M., deceased, married a Mr. Wade; Albert D., deceased; T. M.; R. A.; E. E.; Rachel A., now Hamilton, living in Texas; Sarah K., now Luton. Two children died in infancy, James and John U. Mr. Browder was a Granger. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as was also his wife, who died June 25, 1883. She was born in December, 1806. Mr. Browder had three brothers in the war of 1812. They were in the battle of Tippecanoe, Ind. He had two sons in the Confederate Array during the late war. He cast his first vote for Gen. Jackson, and has voted at every presidential election since. He endured some of the privations of pioneer life after his coming to Fulton County.