San
Joaquin County
Biographies
OTTO E. SANDMAN
Among Stockton’s native sons of whom
the city is justly proud is Otto E. Sandman, prominent in military circles for
many years and district manager for Cyrus Peirce & Company, bond and
investment brokers of New York, Chicago and San Francisco. He was born on May 4, 1890, a son of Peter N.
and Minnie (Amon) Sandman, the former a native of
Denmark and the latter born in Illinois.
Otto completed his course in the Stockton high school in 1908 and then
he entered the University of California at Berkeley, graduating in 1912 with
the degree of B. S., he having devoted his attention to the study of electrical
and hydraulic engineering. While
attending the university Mr. Sandman was captain of the University Cadets; was
a member of the baseball and football teams; and also served as president of
the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.
After he finished college he returned to Stockton and entered the
engineering department of the Western States Gas and Electric Co., as
superintendent of designing and construction work, continuing in that
department until 1919, when he was placed in charge of the bond department and
remained in that department until severing his connection with the concern.
The military record of Mr. Sandman
is interesting. In 1912 he assisted in
organizing Battery C., First California Field Artillery, N.
G. C. When the trouble started on the
Mexican border in the summer of 1916, Battery C was called for duty and he went
as first lieutenant of the battery when they were stationed at Nogales,
Arizona. In June, 1917, following the
entrance of the United States into World War, Mr. Sandman with Battery C, was
sent to the Presidio at San Francisco for duty.
Battery C became a unit of the 143rd Field Artillery, U. S.
A. He was later sent to Fort Sill,
Oklahoma, where he attended the School of Fire, and in August, 1917, was
commissioned captain of field artillery.
Returning to California he was stationed at Camp Kearney as adjutant to
Brigadier-General Lyon, commanding the 65th Artillery Brigade of the
40th Division. In April,
1918, Mr. Sandman was detailed to special duty in the air service, and was soon
sent overseas in command of the 135th Aero Squadron and stationed at
Toul, France, with the second army, A. E. F., until
the armistice was signed. This squadron
had the distinction of being the first Liberty motored squadron to cross the
German lines. He then was returned to
the United States and was discharged at Camp Kearney in June, 1919, having
served two years. Returning to Stockton
he resumed his position with the Western States Gas & Electric Company, and
remained there until forming his present connections with Cyrus Peirce &
Company.
The marriage of Otto Sandman in
December, 1917, united him with Miss Mildred King, daughter of Harry E. and
Hattie A. King, born in Stockton and a representative of one of the pioneer
families of the state, for her grandfather was Edward I. Keep, founder of the
Globe Iron Works and pioneer resident of Stockton, where he established his
home and headquarters. Mr. and Mrs.
Sandman have two sons, George King and Edward Eldridge. Mr. Sandman is a member of the Anteros Club;
the Yosemite Club; Stockton Golf and Country Club, Mokelumne Club; belongs to San
Joaquin lodge of Masons; the Scottish Rite Consistory; and to Ben Ali Temple,
A. A. O. N. M. S., in Sacramento, and in his daily life exemplifies the
teachings of this ancient order. He
assisted in organizing the Karl Ross Post of the American Legion at Stockton,
served two terms on its executive committee; also for a similar period as a
member of the state executive committee of the American Legion. He was elected a member of the board of
freeholders for drafting the new city charter and also a member of the grand
jury of San Joaquin County. Mr. Sandman
is an alert, enterprising and progressive business man who has won success
through his own industry and ability and is a champion of all movements that
have for their aim the upbuilding of his native city.
Transcribed by Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Page
1159. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2011 Gerald Iaquinta.
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