From the "The Village of Harlem: Its People, Homes and Business – 50th
Anniversary Souvenir 1856 to 1906"
"Mr. Paul Zimmerman was born in Good Thunder, Minn., in 1879, and came to Harlem with his parents when five years of age, in 1887. He received his education in the Harlem public schools. When a boy going to school, being anxious to make money, he obtained the position and was the first street lamp lighter in the village. After his school days were over he obtained a position as grocery clerk, and finally became the manager of the grocery department in the Enterprise store, Oak Park. Desiring to become an electrician, he later became employed by the firm of Wilson Bros., Chicago, where he learned the trade and has been with them seven years. Mr. Zimmerman has always been more or less identified with athletics. He was the manager of the Apollo football team in 1905, and his team has made Harlem famous in athletics. He was also manager of the Apollo baseball team. He was elected in 1905 as member of the Board of Education, and is chairman of the supply committee. He is a member of the Knights of Maccabees, also attends the St. John's Lutheran Church. Mr. Zimmerman while yet only a young man, is an ardent worker for the welfare of the village, and firmly believes in its future prosperity and progressiveness. He is a most pleasant and agreeable young gentleman, and we will add him as another of the strong pillars of the community's support. He lives at home. His mother is the mother of the largest family in Harlem, there being eleven children in all. Mr. Zimmerman has not yet joined the Benedicts' Association."