From the "The Village of Harlem: Its People, Homes and Business – 50th
Anniversary Souvenir 1856 to 1906"
"Mr. Gottlieb Schwab was born in Germany in 1875, and came direct to Harlem when his was sixteen years of age. If it had not been for the good natured Government Officers at Ellis Island, Harlem would have been short one prominent and successful business man. On account of his youthfulness, small size and being alone, the officers detained him and came nearly returning him to his native land. He learned his trade, that of a butcher, with Mr. Adolph Peters of the village. He remained with him for a number of years, and by close attention and industry he became master of the trade. He secured a fine position in one of Chicago's best markets and worked there for some time. In 1892 in connection with his brothers, Jacob and Wilhelm Schwab, he opened a fine market only at 22 Madison Street. The style of the firm is Schwab Bros.; and in 1904 he added a grocery department which is today one of the finest equipped markets and grocery stores in the village. They carry a very large line of staple and fancy groceries and fresh and salt meats, having a large plant in addition for making sausage and curing meats. They have been more than ordinarily successful, having a large and fast increasing trade.
"Mr. Gottlieb Schwab is a member of the Chicago German Butchers' Association. His strict attention to business has caused him, thus far, to overlook the one important thing in a man's life -- that of securing a wife. He lives in comfortable bachelor quarters."