Joshua VAN SANT, Congress, MD (1803-1884)

VAN SANT, Joshua, a Representative from Maryland; born in Millington, Kent County, Md., December 31, 1803; moved with his parents to Wilmington, Del., in 1807 and to Philadelphia, Pa., in 1812; attended the common schools; moved to Baltimore, Md.; engaged in hat making in 1817, became journeyman, and continued at that trade until 1835; unsuccessful candidate as a Jackson Democrat to the State house of delegates in 1833 and 1834; delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1836; postmaster of Baltimore 1839-1841; member of the State house of delegates in 1845; commissioner of Baltimore finances March 1, 1846, to March 1, 1855; trustee of the city and county almshouse 1847-1853 and in 1861; commissioner of public schools 1852-1854, and served as president in 1854; elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-third Congress (March 4, 1853-March 3, 1855); unsuccessful candidate for reelection to the Thirty-fourth Congress in 1854; presidential elector on the Democratic ticket of Breckinridge and Lane in 1860; delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1867; director of the Maryland State Penitentiary 1867-1869, serving two years as president; member of the board of trustees of the McDonough Educational Fund and Institute 1867-1871, serving as president in 1871; member and president of the board for Bay View Asylum 1868-1870; mayor of Baltimore 1871-1875; declined to be a candidate for renomination; appointed city comptroller of Baltimore in July 1876 and served until January 1881; was afterward elected to that office and served until his death in Baltimore, Md., April 8, 1884; interment in Greenmount Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present