Van Buren was born in Madison County, Ohio, June 8, 1840. He died at the University Hospital at Iowa City on December 31, 1913. He had been failing in health for some time and finally consented to go to the hospital at Iowa City for treatment. After being examined, it was found necessary to be operated upon, which physicians said would only give temporary relief, being in poor health for so long and being up in years as he was, it was more than he could endure.
Although suffering untold agony, he was patient and conscious to the last, five of his children being at his bedside at the time of his death.
In his last few days of suffering, thinking that he would be called away from his loved ones and home, he remarked God had always blessed him with good health and he had lived a long and happy life.
On June 8, 1840 he was the third child born to David Van Buren and Anna Crissman Mills in Jefferson Township, Madison County, Iowa. At the age of 8 years he walked beside his father's covered wagon when they migrated west ending up residing in Iowa.
In 1863 Van Buren was united in marriage to Miss Eunice Foster. To this union was born ten children: Galetta, Ann, Lizzie Mettie, Allie Wilma, who were deceased. Hattie A., Minnie C., Amy J., George J., John L., Cora R., William L, were left with the mother to mourn the loss of their beloved husband and father.
The funeral was held from the Presbyterian Church at Cedar Valley at 1:00 P.M. Burial at Nichols cemetery. The services were conducted by the Rev. Rusche, of the M. E. Church, of West Liberty. Pall bearers were Jin Starr, Abe Gibons, Ben Hurr, Andy Hendrickson, Mark Purvis and Ed Rock, all being old Civil War soldiers but Ed Rock.
At the age of 21, on August 1, 1861 Van Buren enlisted into the Grand Army of Republic. He was a residence of Muscatine, Iowa and nativity of Ohio. During the Civil War Van Buren was assigned to Company A of the Second Iowa Cavalry. He mustered in on September 2, 1861 and was promoted to bugler. On October 2, 1864 he mustered out in Davenport, Iowa, the expiration of term of service.