My Genealogy Hound

R. C. Sands, a prominent farmer and stock raiser, was born near Rio de Janerio, South America, in 1853, and is the third in a family of seven children born to Nathaniel and Emma (Chambers) Sands, natives of New York, in which city the former has been recognized as a leading business man for many }rears. Early in life Nathaniel Sands was a shipping merchant; he was tax commissioner of New York City five years, a trustee of the high schools five years, and held other positions of prominence. He made several trips to England, and resided in South America several years; in his honor Sands Point, Long Island, was named. His parents were Nathaniel and Rebecca (Binninger) Sands, also natives of New York City, the former of whom was a son of David Sands, who was a native of England, and came to the United States when twenty-five years of age, settling on the Hudson River. Gen. Washington made his headquarters at his house for some time during the Revolution, which house is still standing. When four years of age, R. C. Sands was taken to New York, where he grew to manhood, graduating from the New York City High School, and completing his education at Columbia College. He worked three years in the office of the tax commissioner as deputy, and when twenty years of age came West, to Missouri, where he superintended the Virginia Lead Mining Company, which was the nucleus of the “Missouri Lead Mining & Smelting Company,” which was organized in 1879 with a capital stock of nearly $400,000. The Virginia Lead Mines were first opened in 1832, were operated until 1850, when operations ceased until 1872, having the best mining machinery, and employing 125 men. The Missouri Lead Mining & Smelting Company was in active operation with R. C. Sands as superintendent, until 1885. Mr. Sands owns 600 acres of land in Franklin County, and since coming to the State has looked after the affairs of his farm. He was married in 1882 to Miss Harriet Brewer, a native of Franklin County, of English parentage. Mr. and Mrs. Sands are the parents of three children, viz.: Gracie, Irving H. and Emma. Mr. Sands is a Master Mason, and a Republican in politics.