David Crockett was born on August 17, 1786, in Greene County in East Tennessee. He died in March, 1836 at the Alamo. The famous frontiersman, was in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1827 to 1831 and from 1833 to 1835, representing Madison County. After Crockett disagreed with Andrew Jackson, the Democrats sponsored Adam Huntsman as Crockett's opponent. Davy lost the election, and legend says that he stood on the courthouse steps in Jackson and told his constituents that they could go to hell, but he was going to Texas. His tombstone reads: "Davy Crockett, Pioneer, Patriot, Soldier, Trapper, Explorer, State Legislator, Congressman, Martyred at The Alamo. 1786 - 1836"
Crockett was also a practical joker. One of his political enemies was Dr. William Butler, called the "Father of Jackson". When the two were running against each other for the legislature, they spoke to the same crowds on the same afternoons. Butler usually spoke first, but one afternoon Davy asked the doctor to let him speak first. "With a twinkle in his eye and mischief in his heart he began with 'My fellow citizens' and proceeded to give Dr. Butler's speech word by word. Alas! when time came for Dr. Butler to give his speech, he was speechless." (Historic Madison, Emma Inman Williams)