John C. Pritzlaff ( March 8 , 1820 -- March 18 , 1900 ) was the founder of the John Pritzlaff Hardware Company , the largest wholesale hardware store in the Midwestern United States until its closure in 1958 .
John C. Pritzlaff ( March 8 , 1820 -- March 18 , 1900 ) was the founder of the John Pritzlaff Hardware Company of Milwaukee , Wisconsin . 
 Which was the largest wholesale hardware store in the Midwestern United States until it closed in 1958 .