US Congressman, Baltimore Mayor. He grew up in Wilmington, Delaware and Philadelphia and settled in Baltimore as a hat maker in 1817. In 1836 he was a Delegate to the state constitutional convention, and in 1839 Van Sant was appointed Postmaster of Baltimore, serving until 1841. He was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates in 1845, and a member of Baltimore's Finance Commission from 1846 to 1855. From 1847 to 1853 he was Trustee of Baltimore's city and county almshouse. He served on the Baltimore School Commission from 1852 to 1854, and was Commission President in 1854. In 1852 he was elected to the US House of Representatives as a Democrat and served one term, 1853 to 1855. In 1867 he was a Delegate to the state constitutional convention, and from 1867 to 1869 he was President of the Maryland State Penitentiary's Board of Directors. He was Mayor of Baltimore from 1871 to 1875, and was City Comptroller from 1876 until his death. Van Sant was also active in numerous civic causes, educational institutions and fraternal organizations, and was the longtime Treasurer of the national Odd Fellows organization.
US Congressman, Baltimore Mayor. He grew up in Wilmington, Delaware and Philadelphia and settled in Baltimore as a hat maker in 1817. In 1836 he was a Delegate to the state constitutional convention, and in 1839 Van Sant was appointed Postmaster of Baltimore, serving until 1841. He was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates in 1845, and a member of Baltimore's Finance Commission from 1846 to 1855. From 1847 to 1853 he was Trustee of Baltimore's city and county almshouse. He served on the Baltimore School Commission from 1852 to 1854, and was Commission President in 1854. In 1852 he was elected to the US House of Representatives as a Democrat and served one term, 1853 to 1855. In 1867 he was a Delegate to the state constitutional convention, and from 1867 to 1869 he was President of the Maryland State Penitentiary's Board of Directors. He was Mayor of Baltimore from 1871 to 1875, and was City Comptroller from 1876 until his death. Van Sant was also active in numerous civic causes, educational institutions and fraternal organizations, and was the longtime Treasurer of the national Odd Fellows organization.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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See more Van Sant memorials in:
Records on Ancestry
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