Andrew S. Broaddus was a noted pioneer leader who served in the Virginia House of Delegates in 1844-45. In 1854 he piloted to Texas a mile-long wagon train of 200 people, who built Salem Baptist Church as a reminder of their Virginia home. In 1857 he debated the Hon. Sam Houston at Waugh Campground, 8 miles west. He served in the Texas Secession Convention in 1861, in the 9th Texas Legislature from 1861-63, and in the 13th Texas Legislature in 1873. He also served on the commission to locate and build Texas Agricultural and Mechanical College, now a university, and was judge of the 32nd District in 1874-75 and 1879-80. Married twice, he had 13 children.