Born October 29, 1831, at Passaic, New Jersey. His parents, Samuel and Eleanor (Banta) Van Saun, had but two children. The subject of this sketch was reared in New Jersey, and completed his education at Lafayette College, at Easton, Pennsylvania. In 1856 he came to Iowa and located at Cedar Falls, where he first engaged in mercantile pursuits, which he carried on most successfully for many years. He organized at an early day the Wilson-Van Saun Banking Company, an organization which met with much financial success and was later disposed of to the firm of Field Brothers. Shortly afterward Mr. Van Saun became interested in the milling and grain business, and built up a large concern. His last business venture was in the mercantile line. That all of his enterprises turned out eminently successful proved his business ability and sound judgment, the latter being as conspicuous a factor as the former. For a number of years, Mr. Van Saun was also prominent in political life. A Republican in politics, he served in local offices, including that of supervisor of Cedar Falls township, and in 1882 he was elected a member of the 14th General Assembly. During his term of official life, he fulfilled every expectation of his constituents. He is a stockholder and a member of the board of directors in the Citizens' National Bank, of Cedar Falls. Mr. Van Saun has been twice married first, to Elizabeth W. Ackley, who died in Waverly, New York. The second marriage was to Hannah A. Baldwin. Fraternally, Mr. Van Saun belongs to several organizations. He is past grand master of the Grand Lodge of the A. F. & A. M., of which he has also been grand custodian. The esteem in which he is held in this body was shown on one occasion, by the presentation to him of a fine gold-headed cane suitably inscribed. With his family, he belongs to the Cedar Falls Congregational Church. Mr. Van Saun is justly considered one of the representative men of his city. During his many years of active life here in Cedar Falls he made an enviable reputation as to business integrity, while his championship of many public measures assisted greatly in leading to the present prosperity of Cedar Falls.