Otto L. Kinz

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Otto L Kinz (December 7, 1896 - died May 13, 1972) held the offices of secretary, treasurer and president of Oppenheim Collins & Company, Inc from 1934 to 1945. In 1945, He resigned his position citing a desire to rest. Although the recent controlling interest acquired by City Stores may also have played a role, according to family the increased influence of the employee unions at Oppenheim Collins was the primary motivation for his decision.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life

Otto Louis Kinz was born to German emigrants in Union City, NJ on December 7, 1896. His father, Philip Kinz, was a barber born in Ladenburg, Baden, Germany. His mother, Helma Eberhardt was born the daughter of a butcher in Grossbreitenbach, Thuringia, Germany. Otto had one brother, Philip G Kinz, and one sister, Lillian Kinz.

Otto Kinz became a corporal in the United States Army during World War I but was never stationed overseas.

[edit] Career

After World War I, Otto Kinz worked as a bookkeeper, eventually becoming a CPA. After working some years at the accounting firm of S D Leidesdorf & Co, in 1930, he joined Weber & Heilbroner, a haberdasher. He stayed with the company for four years eventually becoming treasurer and a member of the board of directors. During this time he also held the same position of treasurer and board member at Brokaw Bros [1].

In 1934, Otto Kinz joined Oppenheim Collins as treasurer and member of the board of directors[2]. In approximately 1941, Otto Kinz was elevated from secretary/treasurer to president of Oppenheim Collins & Co. At the time of his election, he retaining his job as treasurer, turning over the duties of secretary to Robert Kenton[3].

Citing a desire to rest, in October 1945 Otto Kinz resigned from Oppenheim Collins & Co.[4]. Although the recent controlling interest acquired by City Stores may also have played a role, according to his family, the increased influence of the employee union at Oppenheim Collins was the primary motivation for his departure.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Unsourced newspaper clipping, Otto Kinz Leaves Weber & Heilbroner.
  2. ^ New York Times, Oct 3, 1934, pg 30, Bolger Heads Store: Elected at Meeting Yesterday of Oppenheim Collins & Co.
  3. ^ Unsourced newspaper clipping, Kinz Succeeds Levy as Oppenheim Collins Head.
  4. ^ New York Times, Oct 20, 1945, pg 26, Kinz to Resign Store Post