Ferdinand Schulzke was born in Germany in 1830 where he learned the art of cabinet making. He came to Chicago in 1854 then moved to Harlem in 1856, making him one of Harlem's earliest settlers. In 1860 he married Miss Louise Boss, who lived but a few years. In 1872 he remarried, this time to Mrs. Sophia Seebach. Ferdinand and Sophie had a daughter, Mrs. Sophie Fry, who continued to live in the house in which she was born. Mrs. Sophic Schulzke died in 1889.

Mr. Schulzke was one of the founders of the Krankenverein Singing and Benevolent Society.