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    Van Sant, Samuel Rinnah "Sam. R., S.R."

    Sessions Served    Other Information

    House 1893-96 (District 15)

    Party when first elected:  Republican

    Counties Served:  Winona

    BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

    Date of Birth: 5/11/1844
    Birth Place: Rock Island, Illinois
    Birth County:
    Birth Country: United States
    Date of Death: 10/3/1936
    Gender: Male
    Religion: Methodist
    Reported Minority: None Reported
    Other Names: Sam. R., S.R.
    City of Residence (when first elected): Winona
    Occupation (when first elected): Superintendent of Steamboats, Captain

    EDUCATION

    Rock Island Public Schools, Illinois; Elementary School;
    Rock Island High School, Illinois; Secondary;
    Burnham's American Business College, Hudson, New York; Postsecondary; Graduate
    Knox College, Galesburg, Illinois; Attended College; 2 years
    Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois; LL.D.; 1905
    Cornell College, Iowa; LL.D.; 1904

    OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

    Municipal Council/Aldermen: Winona, Minnesota (Alderman, 2nd Ward, 1 term); 18?? to 18??
    Military: 9th Illinois Cavalry, Company A (United States Civil War, Private and Corporal); 08/1861 to 1864
    State Governor: Minnesota; 01/07/1901 to 01/04/1905 [Elected]

    FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

    Spouse: Ruth Hall (married December 7, 1868)
    Children: Three children: Grant
    Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

    GENERAL NOTES

    He was of Dutch ancestry.

    He came to Winona, Minnesota in the spring of 1883.

    "Mr. Van Sant has always been a Republican, has taken an active interest in public affairs." (Progressive Men of Minnesota, 1897, p. 373)

    He was a member of the Masonic order, the Knights of Pythias, Elks, Red Men, Modern Woodmen of America, and the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR).

    Religion provided by Progressive Men of Minnesota, 1897.

    Total Days Served: 1463

    SESSIONS SERVED

    29th Legislative Session (1895-1896)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 15
    Elected: 11/6/1894
    Residence: Winona
    Term of Office: 1/8/1895 to 1/4/1897
    Counties Represented: Winona
    Occupation: Rafting Business; President, Le Claire Navigation Company and Van Sant and Musser Transfer Company
    Party: Republican Party Notes: "Mr. Van Sant has always been a Republican, has taken an active interest in public affairs." (Progressive Men of Minnesota, 1897, p. 373)
    Committees:
    Leadership Position: Speaker of the House

    28th Legislative Session (1893-1894)

      Session Details
    Body: House
    District: 15
    Elected: 11/8/1892
    Residence: Winona
    Term of Office: 1/3/1893 to 1/7/1895
    Counties Represented: Winona
    Occupation: Superintendent of Steamboats, Captain
    Party: Republican Party Notes: "Mr. Van Sant has always been a Republican, has taken an active interest in public affairs." (Progressive Men of Minnesota, 1897, p. 373)
    Committees:
    • Education
    • Grain and Warehouse
    • Logs and Lumber
    • Municipal Legislation
    • State Normal Schools (Chair)

    OTHER INFORMATION

    Articles & Books About
    Shutter, Marion Daniel. "Samuel R. Van Sant." Progressive Men of Minnesota, Minneapolis: The Minneapolis Journal, 1897, p. 372-373.

    Samuel R. (Rinnah) Van Sant. Biographical Information from the Minnesota Historical Society's Governors of Minnesota.


    These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.

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