Multnomah-Clatsop County OR Archives Biographies.....Sande, John 1884 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com July 4, 2010, 10:20 pm

Source: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. III, Published 1928, Pages 501 - 502
Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company

     JOHN SANDE.  Strong, capable and self-reliant, John Sande has hewn his 
way through a forest of difficulties and although greatly handicapped by the 
loss of his eyesight, he has become one of Portland's substantial business men 
and large property owners. He was born in Aalesund, Norway, in 1884, and was 
educated in his native land, where he learned the trade of a ship carpenter. 
While thus employed he attended a night school, taking up the study of 
architecture. In 1900 he severed home ties, securing passage on a ship bound 
for South America, and for about a year followed his trade in Valparaiso, 
Chili. In 1901 he arrived in San Francisco, California, sailing soon afterward 
for Astoria, Oregon, and paid for the voyage by working as a ship carpenter 
and in other connections. He had intended to go to South Africa but owing to 
an accident lost his thumb and had to leave the boat at Astoria. There he was 
employed as a shipbuilder for two years and then came to Portland, securing a 
position in the shipyards, where he remained until 1905. Going to the state of 
Washington, he continued in the same line of work at Hoquiam and Aberdeen and 
later had a business of his own. It was conducted by the firm of Sande & 
Chilman, who built a number of river boats and prospered in the undertaking. 
Mr. Sande remained in Washington until 1909 and on his return to Portland 
opened a cigar store on the northwest corner of Front and Morrison streets. A 
year later he disposed of the store and located in Vancouver, Washington, 
where he built two scows and an oil barge for the Columbia Construction 
Company.

     In September, 1910, Mr. Sande left Vancouver and went to Marysville, 
California, as foreman of the Yuba Construction Company, building gold dredges 
until July, 1911, when he suffered a great misfortune, becoming totally blind. 
He consulted various eye specialists but received no benefit from their 
treatments and used all of his means in the effort to regain his eyesight. 
Late in 1912 he returned to Portland and as a last resource wrote to his 
relatives in Norway. The World war was then in progress and they were unable 
to assist him as they had no funds. Borrowing ten dollars from a friend, Mr. 
Sande raffled it off for sixty-five dollars and continued this method of 
selling watches until he accumulated a small capital. In 1916 he purchased the 
equipment of a rooming house at the corner of East Clay street and Grand 
avenue, securing a four-years' lease of the place, which he conducted until 
August 1, 1923, and during that time made a profit of sixty-five hundred 
dollars. A portion of this capital was used to purchase the furniture in the 
Marvin Court apartments at No. 431 East Taylor street and he also leased the 
building, which he still retains. He devoted his attention to its management 
until 1926, when he erected the Sande Court building, of which he is the 
owner. It is located at No. 425 East Taylor street, next door to the Marvin 
Court apartments, and constitutes one of the chief architectural ornaments of 
that neighborhood. The building is completely furnished and represents an 
investment of two hundred and five thousand dollars. Recently Mr. Sande 
purchased the property at the corner of Sixth and East Yamhill streets and is 
planning to erect a fine hotel of ten stories on this site. His mechanical 
skill is unimpaired and notwithstanding his blindness he does much of the 
necessary repair work on his buildings. Endowed with keen sagacity, he has 
received good returns from his investments and his property is constantly 
increasing in value. Adversity has brought out the strongest and best traits 
in Mr. Sande's character and he is deserving of great credit for what he has 
accomplished. He has contributed materially toward Portland's upbuilding and 
improvement and occupies a high place in the esteem of his fellow citizens.

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