Title
Joshua Van Sant
Subject
Description
Joshua Van Sant (December 31, 1803 - April 8, 1884) was a United States Congressional representative from Maryland.
Born in Millington in Kent County, Maryland, he moved with his parents to Wilmington, Delaware, in 1807, and later to Philadelphia in 1812. He attended the common schools before moving to Baltimore, Maryland.
He also served as postmaster of Baltimore from 1839 to 1841, served as a member of the House of Delegates in 1845, and as commissioner of Baltimore finances from March 1, 1846 to March 1, 1855. He was trustee of the city and county almshouse from 1847 to 1853 and in 1861. He also served as commissioner of public schools from 1852 to 1854, and later as president of that organization in 1854.
Van Sant was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-third Congress, where he served from March 4, 1853, to March 3, 1855. He was director of the Maryland State Penitentiary from 1867 to 1869, serving two years as president and was member of the board of trustees of the McDonough Educational Fund and Institute from 1867 to 1871, serving as president in 1871, and member and president of the board for Bay View Asylum from 1868 to 1870.
Van Sant served as mayor of Baltimore from 1871 to 1875, but declined to be a candidate for renomination. He was appointed city comptroller of Baltimore in July 1876 and served until January 1881. Afterwards, he was elected to that office and served until his death in Baltimore.
Born in Millington in Kent County, Maryland, he moved with his parents to Wilmington, Delaware, in 1807, and later to Philadelphia in 1812. He attended the common schools before moving to Baltimore, Maryland.
He also served as postmaster of Baltimore from 1839 to 1841, served as a member of the House of Delegates in 1845, and as commissioner of Baltimore finances from March 1, 1846 to March 1, 1855. He was trustee of the city and county almshouse from 1847 to 1853 and in 1861. He also served as commissioner of public schools from 1852 to 1854, and later as president of that organization in 1854.
Van Sant was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-third Congress, where he served from March 4, 1853, to March 3, 1855. He was director of the Maryland State Penitentiary from 1867 to 1869, serving two years as president and was member of the board of trustees of the McDonough Educational Fund and Institute from 1867 to 1871, serving as president in 1871, and member and president of the board for Bay View Asylum from 1868 to 1870.
Van Sant served as mayor of Baltimore from 1871 to 1875, but declined to be a candidate for renomination. He was appointed city comptroller of Baltimore in July 1876 and served until January 1881. Afterwards, he was elected to that office and served until his death in Baltimore.
Creator
Theo A. Ross
Source
"Odd Fellowship: Its History and Manual"
Date
1888
Rights
Public Domain