Mr Emil Brandeis, 48, was born in Manitowoc, Wisconsin on March 15th, 1864.  Attending public schools, he graduated from the grammer classes at age twelve, and mastered the commercial college course in two years in Milwaukee. Coming back home he entered his father's store.

Emil's father, Jonas L. Brandeis, moved to Omaha, Nebraska in 1881, bringing his family with him. Here, Jonas founded the Brandeis Department Store. In 1885, at age 21, Emil became a member of the firm, where he eventually directed the planning, building and maintenance of the Brandeis buildings. He was also responsible for the general oversight of the men's goods department.

Emil was the second of three brothers, the oldest Arthur, the younger Hugo. There was also a sister. Emil never married and lived in Omaha, Nebraska, in the Kennard Apartments on Dodge Street between Eighteenth and Nineteenth Streets.

He travelled to Europe every year. He left Omaha in late January 1912, visiting his Arthur's daughter. His niece Ruth was now Mrs Irving Stern in Italy. He travelled with them through Spain, Egypt and Rome to Vevey, Switzerland, where they visited with his sister, Mrs Herman Cohn.

Due to return in May, he altered his plans in order to sail two weeks early, he boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg as a first class passenger (ticket number PC 17591, £50 9s 11d, Cabin B-10).

On the Titanic, he met with two old friends, Mr and Mrs Henry B. Harris.

Brandeis died in the sinking, his body was later recovered by the MacKay Bennett (#208):

After the disaster, his sister-in-law, Mrs Arthur Brandeis travelled to New York to question the survivers from the Carpathia. In a telegram dated April 19, she said that she found no one who had seen or spoken to Emil. She then met with Mrs Henry B. Harris and wired to the brothers from New York on April 19 that:

'Emil and Mr and Mrs Harris enjoyed hearty dinner together Sunday night, Emil proudly telling them of his niece and nephew, Ruth and Irving Stone, promising Mr and Mrs Harris they should meet them in New York. The men all stood together on deck as the women were lowered in lifeboats.  When Mrs Harris was ten minutes out at sea she saw the steamer sink with all those fine men aboard. They remained without fear'.

Emil was a past governor of Ak-Sar-Ben, and active in its work. The following statement was issued and signed by Charles H. Pickens, president of the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben, G.E. Haverstick for the Commercial Club and A. L. Sale for the Ad Club:

Edit this biography.