From the "The Village of Harlem: Its People, Homes and Business – 50th
Anniversary Souvenir 1856 to 1906"
"The leading hardware merchant in Harlem is Mr. L. C. Kolzow, who was born on a farm near Hinsdale, Illinois, in 1868. He spent his boyhood days in the country, and when a young man, in 1891, he began his career as a merchant by clerking in a grocery store in Harlem. Later he clerked in a hardware store, Gotch & Co., bought out the company in 1898, and became the sole owner of the business at 139 Madison St.
"Mr. Kolzow is a large dealer in his line, buying nails by the carload. he makes a specialty of building hardware of all kinds and also carries a full line of paints, oils and glass. He has a large and increasing business, which was built by attentiveness and fair dealings. He can refer to some of the largest buildings in the village which he has supplied with material.
"Mr. Kolzow is at present township clerk for the township of Proviso elected for three years. He belongs to several fraternal and benevolent societies. He was married in Harlem to Miss Minnie Ahrndt. They have two children -- Walter and Herbert -- who live with their parents."