From the "The Village of Harlem: Its People, Homes and Business – 50th
Anniversary Souvenir 1856 to 1906"
"Among the reliable merchants of Harlem none can he be more highly mentioned than Mr. Gustav Boehlke, who was born in Germany in 1865, where he learned is trade of shoemaking. He came to Harlem in 1891, opened up business in 1895, where he was located at 155 Madison St. for one year. he then moved to his present location, 138 Madison St.
"Mr. Boehlke carries a large stock of the latest stock of the latest styles of boots and shoes. He also has a large trade in custom work and repairing, which was built by his close attention to business and fine workmanship.
"Mr. Boehlke belongs to several social and benevolent organizations. He devotes much of his spare time with his mother, with whom he live."