Otto L. Kinz

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.

Biography

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.

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 .

In 1934, Otto Kinz joined Oppenheim Collins as treasurer and member of the board of directors. 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.

Citing a desire to rest, in October 1945 Otto Kinz resigned from Oppenheim Collins & Co.. 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.