William Victor Niess, who has held various important positions as a draughtsman, for which work he has been qualified by a thorough course of study in engineering and who is now well known in professional connections in St. Louis, was born April 20, 1878, in the city of Goeppingen, in the kingdom of Wurttemberug Germany, his parents being Christian Ulrich and Marie Louise (Mueller) Niess His father, now deceased, was also a native of Goeppingen and in his early man hood studied the enameling business in Switzerland. After his return to his native city he there established the first enameling factory in Wurttemberg. His wife is a native of Goeppingen and is still living in her native city. Through her maternal ancestry she is a descendant of the German noble family of Woellwarth.
William V. Niess, whose name introduces this review, was educated in the school of Goeppingen and, leaving Germany in the fall of 1897, crossed the Atlantic to New York, whence he made his way westward to St. Louis the following year. Here he was first employed in a hardware store in the southern part of the city and in his leisure hours devoted his time to the study of engineering and drawing. When he had acquired comprehensive knowledge of engineering and mechanical drawing he secured a position as a draughtsman and through the intervening period has been employed in that capacity by several large manufacturing companies of the city of St. Louis, representing important interests in this connection.
On the 28th of March, 1908, Mr. Niess was married at Clayton, St. Louis county, Missouri, to Miss Marie Amelia Simon, a daughter of Joseph Nicholas and Marie Celestine (Boyer) Simon, both of whom are deceased. Mrs. Niess was born December 9, 1878, in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, which town is the oldest permanent settlement in the state. Through her mother, also a native of Ste. Genevieve, Mrs. Niess is a descendant of the first French settlers of that place.
In his political views Mr. Niess is a republican and in religious faith a Lutheran. He largely devotes his leisure hours to reading history and Is thoroughly well acquainted with the history of all the different countries on the face of the globe. He is likewise Interested in art and general literature and has comprehensive knowledge along both lines.