Michael Eltiste

Eltiste-Kaiser Web Site

Eltiste Family

Michael Eltiste

Born - November 21, 1865

Burgsalach, Bavaria, Germany

Married - November 17, 1891

Stuttgart, Phillips County, Kansas

Naturalized - September 14, 1894

Phillips County, Kansas

Died - April 19, 1948

Orange, Orange County, California

Buried - Saint Johns Lutheran Cemetery
Santa Ana, Orange County, California

Wife - Kunigunde (Beyerlein) Eltiste

Born- 1870

This Victorian farmhouse (1400 E. Collins) was built before the turn of the century on what was then the northern most edge of the City of Orange. It is a good example of a pioneer farmhouse that once stood alone in the country, but has now been swallowed up in a sea of tract houses.

Around 1898, it was purchased by William Bierwagen, a new arrival from South Dakota. In 1907 Bierwagen sold out to another newcomer, Michael Eltiste (1865 - 1948).

Eltiste, a native of Germany, had been a successful Kansas stockman for many years before settling here. He had 60 acres around the house planted with oranges and lemons. Eltiste quickly became involved in Orange's civic affairs and by 1910 was a member of the Orange City Council.

Eltiste became one of Orange County's main International Harvester dealers and at various times had stores in Orange, Santa Ana, Fullerton and Anaheim. Eltiste was also famous for completing the Orange Theatre (North Glassell). The original promoter had gone broke on the project around 1925 and for years the building was nothing more than an empty concrete shell. The theatre was opened on schedule in May of 1929.

Son - George Paul Eltiste

Son - August Dan Eltiste

Son - Johann Fredrick Eltiste