Levi Strauss's sister who moved to St. Louis was named Fanny.
Fanny and her husband, David Stern, moved to St. Louis while Levi remained involved in the family's expanding dry-goods network. Their family connection became especially important when Levi later traveled to San Francisco: he joined Fanny's household there after arriving on the West Coast.
David Stern was more than Levi's brother-in-law. He became a business associate and an important figure in the development of Levi Strauss & Co. The company grew from importing and selling dry goods into manufacturing clothing, including the riveted work garments that made the Levi's name famous.
The family details can be confusing because Levi's mother and sisters traveled together from Bavaria, and several relatives later became connected with the company. Fanny is not the same person as Levi's mother, Rebecca Strauss, whose name also appears in accounts of his early life. Fanny's move to St. Louis is a small but revealing part of the family story behind the brand.