F
rom the "The Village of Harlem: Its People, Homes and Business – 50th
Anniversary Souvenir 1856 to 1906"
"In the making of a successful merchant pluck and knowledge of the business are essential factors, and in few men are these qualities so strongly characterized as in the case of Mr. E. Jacobi, who, starting from a depleted store-room through robbery, has risen from nothing to independence. Mr. Jacobi was born in Germany in 1863, came to Harlem in 1893, where he engaged in the clothing and gents' furnishing business in a little store-room at 169 Madison St. He had just started his business and the first stock had arrived when robbers broke in at night, loaded it on a wagon and left for parts unknown with that which represented his total investment. Facing discouraging outlook, he immediately ordered a new stock of goods and began again. Slowly but steadily prosperity came, till in 1901 he was able to build his own business house at 107 Madison St. Finding these quarters yet too small, in 1905 he built an addition to this building which enables him to carry a very large and complete line of clothing and gents' furnishings. His business is very large and his stock is strictly up-to-date.
"Mr. Jacobi belongs to a number of social and benevolent societies.
"Just before leaving Germany, Mr. Jacobi was married to Miss Margaret Voigt, in 1890. Mrs. jacobi is a most excellent lady, takes much interest in her husband's business and greatly assists him in the sales department."