Van Sant Elias

1870 Census, State of Iowa, City of LeClaire, County of Scott

     History of Peoria County, Illinois Containing a History of the Northwest History of Illinois, History of the county, page 698, contains the following about Elias Van Sant.

     Van Sant Elias A., pump manufacturer, 301 Plank Road.  Son of John W and Lydia (Anderson) Van Sant.  Was born in Rock Island County, Ill, December 3, 1838.  Learned the art of boat builder. Married Miss Julia Adams.  She was born in Bedford County, Pa., December 11, 1841.  The fruit of this marriage is four children—Alice, Born April 2, 1860; George born July 8, 1863; Fred, born January 20, 1873, Blanche, born February 6, 1879.  Mr. Van Sant was raised in the M. E. faith and filled the pulpit for 9 years.

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The Tribune, Sunday, November 26, 1893, page 4.

     “Captain Elias Van Sant was in the three cities Friday on his way home to Peoria.  He reported that he walked across the Mississippi on the ice from LeClaire to Port Bryon.”

     Captain Elias Van Sant died June 10, 1898 at Peoria, Illinois.

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Davenport Democrat, Tuesday Evening, June 14, 1898, page 1.

Obituary
Van Sant 

     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. 1838, 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.  Then 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. Mc Fall, of East Peoria; George R. Van Sant, Fred Van Sant and Mrs. Blanche Mayer of Peoria.  From LeClaire Rivermen, Page 4 Compiled by Georgeann McClure and Sue Rekkas

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The Davenport Daily Times, Tuesday, June 14, 1898, page 2.

ELIAS A. SANT

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Brother of the Well Known Skipper Dies at Peoria.

  Elias A. Van Sant, brother of Capt. Sam Van Sant, died at his home in Peoria Saturday night and was buried there this afternoon.  He was born in Rock Island in 1838, and has resided in Peoria for many years.  He is survived by his wife and four children as also by his venerable parents, who are residents of LeClaire.

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