California Biographies

Source: History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of 
the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with 
its growth and development from the early days to the present (1919)

History By Paul E. Vandor 
Illustrated, Complete In Two Volumes 
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1919
 
Notes: Missing+page1185-1186

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


MICHAEL STIEGLITZ.� A native of foreign shores who, although 
coming to Fresno County rather late in her development, has been able in 
a few short years, by wise foresight and exemplary industry, to reach that 
degree of prosperity that he has recently retired, is Michael Stieglitz, who 
was born in Samara, Russia, on November 4, 1862, the son of Peter Stieglitz, 
a farmer, who with his good wife is now deceased. 

Michael was brought up on his father's farm and educated at the public 
schools, and in 1884 he began his military service in the Russian Army. He 
was assigned to an artillery regiment, and after serving five years, mostly 
in Southern Russia, was honorably discharged as a non-commissioned officer. 
He followed farming in his native place until June 25, 1898, when he came 
to Fresno, and for four and a half years was employed by Joe House. Then 
he worked for Frank Rehorn, the builder, for over nine years, and for four 
years he was in the employ of the Rosenberg Packing Company. 

In 1912, with two partners he started a dry goods store on the site where 
he is now located, under the firm name of C. Grasmick & Co., and a year 
later they built an addition to the store, and added a stock of groceries. In 
1914 Mr. Stieglitz bought his partners out and continued the business alone. 
Later he disposed of the dry-goods department and continued the sale of 
groceries and meats. 

In the spring of 1918 he sold the stock and buildings to his son Fred, 
who continues the business so well established by Mr. Steiglitz. In Novem- 
ber, 1898, he bought the corner Ventura and D Streets and built the resi- 
dence where he has lived all these years, and he has also built up other resi- 
dence property in Fresno. A Republican is national politics, he is at all times 
intensely American. 

Eight children were given to Mr. and Mrs. Stieglitz, of whom four 
grew up and are still living. Mollie is Mrs. Helmuth of Biola ; Ferdinand 
has succeeded his father as a merchant ; Anna is Mrs. Bitters of Fresno ; 
Katherine was born in Fresno, and is now the wife of George Reitz. The 
family are members of the Lutheran Church.