Tuesday, May 14, 1833, notable Confederate soldier & circus performer Henry Clay Thruston (1833-1909), known as “The Missouri Giant,” was born at the city of Greenville in Greenville County, South Carolina.
☞The following is an excerpt from Henry Clay Thruston’s Find-A-Grave page:
Known as “the tallest man to serve during the Civil War” (Pvt. 4th Regiment, Missouri Cavalry, CSA) it is said he stood 7 foot 7 1/2 inches tall. He traveled with P. T Barnum billed as “The Missouri Giant,” “The Texas Giant” & of course “The Tallest Man in The World.” In the South, he would lead the circus parade with a large “Stars & Bars” over his shoulders & in the North he often dressed as “Uncle Sam” & carried both “Old Glory” & the “Stars & Bars.”
It is said that during one battle both sides ceased actions long enough for a picture of Thurston & David V. Buskirk (at 6' 10-1/2 and one of the tallest men in the Union Army), to be taken together to prove who was the tallest!
☞Henry Clay Thruston met his earthly demise when he died from the effects of natural causes at the age of 76 in Mount Vernon, Texas on July 2, 1909.
☞Thruston’s historic dogtrot-style home, located at Mount Vernon, Texas on the Historic Bankhead Highway, now serves as the Mount Vernon Visitors Center.
☞The undated photograph depicts Henry Clay Thruston (center) standing between two unidentified men of ordinary height.
