Adolph Peters, described as “a man of sterling integrity, one who stands high in estimation of his fellow men, and has started several employees in a successful business career,” was born in Germany in 1861 and learned to be a butcher. He came to Chicago in 1887 working as a butcher for three years before opening his own butcher shop in Harlem in 1890. He was so successful that, six years later, he hired architect Henry Fiddelke to build a shop at 7406 Madison St. An exclusively meat-only shop, he was known as “the reliable butcher” selling fresh and salt meats, poultry, and game. His specialty was summer sausage. Adolph also had his own packing plant with all appliances. He directly purchased hogs, calves, and poultry from farmers. He married Miss Clara Bucholz of Chicago, a “most estimable lady and business woman.”

This photo of Adolph Peters’ Butcher Shop, 1906, shows his shop just west of Desplaines on Madison Street. He showcased some of his animals with horns on the back wall and scales and sausage makers are on the counter in full view of the customer. In addition, his butcher shops were pristinely clean and sawdust was placed on the floor daily to absorb any muck from the unpaved streets with horse-drawn carriages that customers could bring in.

From the Village of Harlem 50th Anniversary Souvenir book.

Jill Wagner