Stieglitz, Michael

Michael Stieglitz was born in Samara, Russia, on November 4, 1862, to Peter Stieglitz and his wife. After serving five years in the Russian Army artillery regiment, he farmed in Russia until immigrating to Fresno, California, on June 25, 1898. In Fresno, he worked for Joe House, builder Frank Rehorn, and the Rosenberg Packing Company before entering retail.

In 1912, Michael partnered to form the dry goods store C. Grasmick & Co., eventually buying out his partners in 1914 and running the grocery and meat business until selling it to his son Fred in 1918. He built his family residence at the corner of Ventura and D Streets in November 1898, alongside other Fresno properties. He raised four surviving children—Mollie, Ferdinand, Anna, and Katherine—with his wife, belonged to the Lutheran Church, and achieved a prosperous retirement in Fresno County.