His family had a long history in the shipbuilding industry and his father worked with building and repairing steamboats on the Mississippi River.

After getting written permission from his father, Van Sant was accepted and served with the 9th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Cavalry for three years before being mustered out.

[1] After the war, Van Sant took business classes in Hudson, New York, and briefly attended Knox College in Illinois before leaving school due to a lack of money.

As governor, Van Sant filed a lawsuit against the Northern Securities Company railroad trust arguing that its formation violated a state law.

The Samuel Van Sant House in Le Claire, Iowa is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.