A native of Virginia, William Smothers was orphaned at 12 when Indians killed his father and his mother died of shock. During the American Revolution, he fought at King's Mountain, Guilford Courthouse, Camden, and Eutaw Springs. He moved to Kentucky in 1781, built two forts near present Hartford, originally called Smothers Station, and in 1798 founded an Ohio River port that later became Owensboro. He was a leader in civil affairs in early Kentucky, served as a militia captain, and commanded troops in the War of 1812. Before 1820 he scouted in Texas, returned in 1821 with the exploring party of Stephen F. Austin, and helped build Fort Bend for the safety of the Old 300 settlers. In 1824 Mexico gave him a land grant; in 1826, he and two sons helped settle DeWitt's Colony and received land grants in the vicinity. Fearless and a skillful guide, he often hunted with his friend Jim Bowie and was reputed to have tomahawked bears in hand combat. Married twice, he became the ancestor of many leading Texans and died in 1837 after seeing a son and three grandsons help win the Texas War for Independence.