Samuel Van Sant was an American politician. Born in Rock Island, Illinois, he served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from January 1893 to January 1897 and served as Speaker of the House. Van Sant served as the 15th Governor of Minnesota from January 7, 1901 to January 4, 1905, the first to serve a four-year term. He was a member of the Republican party. He was a proud Civil War veteran with service in the 9th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, and was commander in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic from 1909 to 1910. He was known to his friends as "Captain Sam." He died in 1936 aged 92 in Attica, Indiana. 

May 11th, 1844 in Rock Island  /  Died:   Oct 3rd, 1936