David Van Buskirk

David Van Buskirk (November 23, 1826) - ? was famous for being the largest and tallest man in Monroe County, at 6'10" and 390 pounds. He was a farmer and stock-raiser.

The oldest of ten children born to James and Mariah Van Buskirk, David Van Buskirk was born on the farm he was later to own.

On March 16, 1849, he married Lucy Ann Buskirk, and they had six children.

In 1861 as the Civil War brewed, Van Buskirk enlisted in Company F, 27th Indiana Infantry, and fought in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, and was held as a prisoner of war after the first battle of Winchester. After the battle of Antietam, Van Buskirk was promoted to Captain, but resigned in disability in 1864, returning to his farm.

in 1866 he was elected County Treasurer. That same year Lucy passed away and Van Buskirk then married Martha Stephenson Able and later her sister-in-law Mary Able.

In 1876 he ran for State Treasurer but was defeated.

Van Buskirk's farm consisted of 450 acres of land on the White River bottom, with a residence, outbuildings and orchard, and a family cemetery on a hill east of the house.