Born in Brown County, Ohio, on the 7th of May, 1825. The summers of Dr. Van Sandt's early life were passed in manual labor on his father's farm, thus precluding him from those opportunities of study granted to other lads. His winters were, for the greater part, passed in the district school, until he was eighteen years of age. He then attended an academy, about ten miles away. From the academy he went to Woodward College, Cincinnati, again returning after awhile to College Hill, where he had previously been. He finally finished his education at the hands of a private tutor. At this time he began to read medicine with a Dr. Avery, of Reading, Ohio. He then entered upon a course of lectures at the Eclectic medical institute, Cincinnati, graduating in 1850. In the year of his graduation he married Miss Eliza Heald, of Miami County, Ohio, locating in Troy, Ohio, and enjoying a successful practice of eight years. From Troy he came to Iowa, and to Clarinda. Dr. Van Sandt has been actively engaged in politics ever since he came to Iowa, and was enthusiastic in his support of Lincoln's administration. In 1863 he was elected a member of the tenth assembly, and was again elected to fill the unexpired term of Hon. Charles Linderman. Dr. Van Sandt is now United States pension agent. In religious view he is a Presbyterian. A man marked by force of will and character, of integrity worthy of all imitation.