Elias A. Van Sant

VAN SANT, MCFALL, MAYER

Posted By: Rebecca Foster (email)
Date: 9/10/2014 at 15:43:28

Elias A. Van Sant, a brother of Capt. Van Sant, died at Peoria Saturday night of dropsy. He was born in Rock Island Dec. 3. 1888, and his venerable parents are still living in Le Claire. He had been a resident of Peoria for a number of years, and was one of the active energetic citizens of that place, representing the city’s claims to the M W. A. head office of the Madison head camp.

Born in this locality 60 years ago, Mr. Van Sant was certainly eligible to the title of “old settler” early in life. He moved to Will county near Joliet, and was ordained a Methodist minister. He filled charges there and at Polo, Ill., and at Le Claire, this county, then became a steamboat captain on the Mississippi, and later moved to Beardstown. The he went to Peoria and engaged in business there. He was a very active man, a good speaker and writer. He had a great deal of influence with the people and was instrumental in quelling the railroad riot in Peoria in 1877. He leaves a wife and four children: Mrs. Dr. McFall, of East Peoria; George R. Van Sant, Fred Van Sant and Mrs. Blanche Mayer of Peoria.

Source: Davenport Democrat, Davenport, Ia., 14 Jun 1898.