Andrew P. Brandt

ANDREW P. BRANDT

Proprietor of one of the leading photograph galleries in Moline, was born near Ramfall, Östergötland, Sweden, on the 2Oth of April, 1857, and is a son of Johan and Stina Carrin {Alstedt} Brandt. His father was a soldier in the Swedish army for thirty-two years, and was stationed at his own home village except when called out by the government for active duty. In 1862 he was retired upon a pension, and engaged in hunting, fishing and fruit growing, having a large orchard of his own.

Our subject during his boyhood assisted his father in those pursuits and attended the public schools until fourteen years of age. He remained at home until nineteen years of age, when he went to Stockholm, where he was employed as an iron molder for three years. He was reared amid one of the picturesque regions of his native land, famed for its beautiful lakes, mountains and valleys. At the age of twenty- two, however, he bade adieu to home and friends and sailed for America, May 2, 1879, landing at New York May 18th, after a voyage of six days, from Liverpool. For two years he resided in Clarinda, Iowa, de voting his attention to agricultural pursuits. He afterward worked at the iron molder's trade in Clarinda and attended school for three months in order to master the English language. He next went to New York, where he spent one year at work in an iron foundry.

Mr. Brandt had a two-fold purpose in going to the eastern metropolis. While crossing the Atlantic he had become ac quainted with Miss Mary White, an English lady, who was born in Corfew, Greece, Angust 15, 1860. Her father was Sergeant John White, a paymaster in the English service, who married Esther Nolan, who was of Irish lineage. lie was killed at Hong Kong. China, by the caving in of an embankment, when Mrs. Brandt was about ten years of age. Mrs. White with her daughter Mary then returned from China to her people in Rathdowney, Ireland, where she died two years later. The daughter then continued to make her home with an aunt until eighteen years of age, when she sailed for the new world on the vessel City of Berlin, on which Mr. Brandt had taken passage. He noticed her among the other girls on deck, and though neither could speak the other's language but very little, they became acquainted and exchanged addresses. Miss White remained in New York, while Mr. Brandt continued on his way to the west, but they maintained a correspondence until his return to New York, where their marriage was celebrated September 11, 1882. They have three children: Ernil Carl, born September 2, 1883; Esther Mary, born October 29, 1884; and Elroy, born December 20, 1896. All are natives of Moline,

Mr. and Mrs. Brandt remained in New York until April 18, 1883, and then came to Moline, where he secured employment in the Deere & Company plow works, as machine woodworker, where he remained thirteen years. During his leisure hours he began the study of photography. He is a true artist by nature, and it had long been his desire to master the art of making photographs. In April, 1895, he opened a studio and now has one of the well appointed establishments in the city, supplied with the latest improved appliances. He follows the most modern methods and his work is always artistic and pleasing, so that he is enabled to command a liberal share of the public patronage.

Mr. Brandt was reared in the Lutheran church and his wife in the Catholic church, but both are now members of Christian Science, by which Mrs. Brandt was healed. He belongs to the Knights of Maccabees, and Camp No. 38, Modern Woodmen of America, in which he has filled a number of offices. Mrs. Brandt is a member of The Ladies of Maccabees,Hive No. 119, Moline.

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