George Van Saun was born in 1831 in the town of Passaic, New Jersey.  In 1856 along with his second wife, Hannah, he moved to Cedar Falls and worked in mercantile jobs around town until his establishment of the Wilson-Van Saun Banking Company.  The bank was a success and Van Saun sold it to the Field Brothers.  Van Saun was also very involved in the Political Affairs of early Cedar Falls and took an active role in the city's development.  He served as the supervisor of Cedar Falls township as well as a member of the 14th General Assembly.  Van Saun owned stock in the Citizen's National Bank of Cedar Falls and owned valuable property.  The author of Black Hawk notes the "Van Saun as owning one of the most beautiful homes on Main Street."