Harriet Wisely Brandt was born with a twin sister in January, 1829, near Carroll, Ohio. Her parents, Edward and Leah Wisely. were early settlers in central Ohio. Harriet was the youngest child of a large family of fifteen children. She was born and raised on a farm and learned to spin, weave, and sew. She was also educated in public and private schools in her neighborhood. She married Isaac Brandt, a young shoemaker on November 1, 1849.