U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Sands, Oliver Jackson (b. 1870) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Source: Men of Mark in Virginia, Volume II Author: Lyon G. Tyler, LL.D., President William and Mary College, Editor-in-Chief Men of Mark Publishing Company, Washington D.C. 1907 Pages 344-348, Oliver Jackson Sands SANDS, OLIVER JACKSON, banker, was born at Fairmont, Marion county, West Virginia, December 14, 1870. His parents were Joseph Evans and Mary Virginia (Eyster) Sands—the latter a daughter of Doctor William Eyster, a prominent physician of Fairmont, West Virginia. His father is cashier of the First National bank of Fairmont, and has been prominent in the work of developing the coal and other material interests of the Monongahela valley; he is a high-minded man, successful in business, and always ready to give a helping hand to all deserving men who seek his advice or assistance. The earliest ancestor of the family in this country is supposed to have been a son of Archbishop Sandys and to have come from England to Long Island, New York, in early colonial times. It is probable that the next generation changed the spelling of the name to Sands. One of the family removed from Long Island to Annapolis, Maryland, where, about the year 1700, he built or purchased a house which is now (1906) standing and is owned by one of his descendants. John Sands, also of Annapolis, the paternal great-grandfather of the subject of our sketch, rendered efficient service in the Revolutionary war. In childhood and youth, the time of Oliver Sands was divided between the village and the country, and during his school vacations he worked on a farm. He attended the neighborhood schools, and then for a while studied at the State Normal school, at Fairmont; but he was so anxious to enter active business, for which he had a strong inclination, that he did not take the full course, and, consequently, was not graduated. In the latter part of his school life, he helped pay his way by serving as an errand boy when he had the opportunity to do so. Mr. Sands began the active work of life in 1884, when he was only fourteen years of age, as a clerk in the Farmers bank of Fairmont. Four years later, he became paymaster and secretary to the chief engineer and president of the Monongahela River and West Virginia and Pittsburgh railroads. In 1891, he became assistant cashier of the First National bank of Fairmont, and in 1896 he was appointed National bank examiner for the District of Columbia and the state of Virginia. In 1899, he located in Richmond, Virginia, where he organized the American National bank, of which he has been president ever since. He has also been a director in various business corporations in West Virginia and Virginia. He was president of the Virginia Bankers association, 1902-03, and is now (1906) president of the Bank of Commerce and Trusts of Richmond, and treasurer of the Jefferson Realty corporation, the Virginia State Fair association, and the Young Men's Christian association, of Richmond. In estimating the strength of various specified influences upon his success in life, Mr. Sands places that of home first, that of contact with men in active life second, and that of private study third in importance. The choice of his life-work was principally determined by environment. Among the prominent orders to which he belongs are the Masons, Knights Templar, and Odd Fellows. He is a member of the Westmoreland, Hermitage, and the Deep Run Hunt clubs, all of Richmond. He finds his principal relaxation in horseback riding. In politics he was for many years a pronounced Democrat, but since the free coinage of silver became an issue, he has been an independent voter. His religious affiliation is with the Protestant Episcopal church, in which he has for years held the offices of vestryman and superintendent of Sunday schools. In reply to a request for suggestions regarding the principles, methods, and habits, which, in his opinion, will contribute to the strengthening of sound ideals and be most helpful to young people in their efforts to attain success in life, he says: "A strict adherence to Christian principles, inculcated by example and precept of parents from earliest age. A boy should be told by his parents early all the mysteries of his being, and taught his duty towards God and his duty towards his neighbor." The story of this life has a moral for all of its readers. The success of Mr. Sands is conclusive evidence that one may, by persistent and well-directed effort, and an unblemished character, win his way to an honorable position and become not only one of the leading men of his city, but also a man who is known and honored throughout his state. To every one with whom he comes in contact, the manner of Mr. Sands is alike pleasing and assuring; and his sympathetic greeting at once inspires confidence in those who seek his aid or advice. December 30, 1890, Mr. Sands was married to Lucile Robinson. They have had three children, one of whom, Oliver Jackson, born in 1905, survives. Mr. Sands' address is 2004 West Franklin Street, Richmond. Virginia. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Additional Information: --------------------------------------------------------------------- CENSUS RECORDS 1930 Census, Henrico County VA Tuckahoe District, ED: 13, Sheet-33B SANDS, Oliver J. (head) 59, m-at-age-20, WV-MD-Ohio, President, Bank ", Lucile R. (wife) 57, m-at-age-18, IL-PA-VA ", Oliver J. Jr (son) 24, VA-WV-IL, Clerk, Bank TURNER, Joseph H. (boarder) 22, VA-NC-NC, none 1920 Census, Henrico County VA Tuckahoe District, ED: 45, Sheet 12A SANDS, Oliver J. (head) 52, WV-WV-WV, President, Natl-Bank ", Lucille (wife) 49, FL-FL-FL, none ", Oliver, Jr (son) 13, VA-WV-FL, none ROBINSON, Mary (mother-in-law) 70, Wd, FL-FL-FL, none 1910 Census, Henrico County VA Richmond City, ED: 105, Sheet 15B 2004 Monument Ave. SANDS, Oliver J. (head) 39, m1-19-yrs, WV-MD-Va, President, Bank ", Lucille R. (wife) 37, m1-19-yrs, 3-children/1-living, IL-Pa-Va ", Oliver J. Jr (son) 4, Va-WV-IL ROBINSON, Charlotte (mother-in-law) 65, Wd, Va-Ct-Va ANDERSON, Lizzie (servant) 50, Va-Va-Va JOHNSON, Gretta (servant) 32, Wd, Mass-Can-Can 1900 Census, Henrico County VA Richmond City, ED: 56, Sheet 15A Park Avenue SANDS, Oliver J. (head) Jun-1870, 29, m-9-yrs, WV-WV-WV, Banker ", Lucille (wife) May-1873, 27, m-9-yrs, 4-children/0-living, IN-VA-VA GREENHOW, Lelia (servant) Jun-1863, 37, VA-VA-VA SPENCER, May (servant) Jan-1873, 27, VA-VA-VA 1880 Census, Marion County WV Fairont Ind. School Dist., ED:84, Page-No. 27 SANDS, Joseph E. (head), 43, Cashier-in-Bank, Md-Md-Md ", Mary V. (wife) 42, Keeping-house, Ohio-Pa-Va ", Lawrence E. (son) 21, Clerk-in-Bank, Va-Md-Ohio ", Charles S. (son) 17, At-school, Va-Md-Ohio ", Lulu G. (dau) 15, At-school, WV-Md-Ohio ", Harry A. (son) 12, At-school, WV-Md-Ohio ", Oliver J. (son) 9, WV-Md-Ohio ", Willie H. (son) 7, WV-Md-Ohio ", Emily J. (dau) 4, WV-Md-Ohio PAINTER, Amanda (boarder) 24, Seamstress, Va-Va-Va VANDERVORT, William (boarder) 24, Clerk-in-Bank, Va-Va-Va HALL, Thomas F. (boarder) 27, Saddler-&-Harness-maker, Va-Va-Va ---------------------------------------------------------------------