Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 891 - 892

WILLIAM BRANDIS, one of the most enterprising young farmers of Grand River Township, came to this county in the spring of 1886, about four months after his marriage, and located on the farm which he now occupies, on section 24. He is recognized by the people of this community as a valued accession to their numbers, being thrifty and prosperous, and possessing the principles which constitute of him an honest man and a good citizen.

            Mr. Brandis was born on the other side of the Mississippi, about forty miles south of the city of Springfield, Ill., on the 12th of April, 1861. He is the son of Fred and Sophia (Hempstead) Brandis, the former a native of Germany, and who was killed by machinery before the birth of our subject. The mother contracted a second marriage, with Christian Rittger, of Christian County, Ill., and William continued with her until reaching his majority. When a boy he attended school about three months in the year, but being bright and observant, acquired a very good education notwithstanding these limited advantages. His only brother, Henry, was born April 9, 1859, and is now carrying on farming in Macoupin County, Ill. He is married and has two children; the elder, Alvan, was born July 7, 1882, and the little daughter, Bertha, July 19, 1885.

            Mr. Brandis, while a resident of Macoupin County, III., was united in marriage with Miss Bertha Steinmeyer, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride in the above county, Dec. 17, 1885. The spring following they came to this county, and Mr. Brandis, with his father-in-law, purchased the land upon which he now lives, and which he and his brother-in-law operate together. The parents of Mrs. Brandis, Henry and Minnie (Meyer) Steinmeyer, were born in the Province of Hanover, Germany, the father Dec. 6, 1829, and the mother October 16 of the same year. They emigrated to the United States before their marriage. Mrs. B. was born in Macoupin County, Ill., Dec. 16, 1865, and was the fifth of her parents' eight children, including two half-brothers, William and Henry Loges, the sons of her mother by a former marriage. The balance of the family, the Steinmeyer children, were Charles and Mary (twins); Bertha, Mrs. B.; Richard, Minnie and Amelia. Mr. and Mrs. Steinmeyer are residents of Illinois.

            Our subject and his wife are the parents of a bright little daughter, Dena Caroline, who was born Jan. 14, 1887. Mr. Brandis was reared in the Republican faith, but votes independently. He and his wife are active members of the German Lutheran Church.

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