Ovson Egg
Corporate Fraud Investigation
CLASSIFICATION: Financial Crime
LOCATION
Chicago, Illinois
TIME PERIOD
1955
VICTIMS
0 confirmed
On October 15, 2023, at approximately 10:30 PM, law enforcement responded to a reported armed robbery at the Ovson Egg processing facility located at 1234 Egg Lane, Springfield, USA. Two masked suspects entered the facility, brandishing firearms and demanding cash from the night shift employees. The suspects fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash, and no injuries were reported among the staff. The suspects are described as male, approximately 6 feet tall, wearing dark clothing and masks. Currently, the investigation is ongoing, with surveillance footage being reviewed and forensic evidence collected from the scene. Detectives are actively pursuing leads and have requested assistance from the public for any information related to the suspects' identities or whereabouts.
Community analysis and theories will be displayed here when available.
The Rise and Fall of Ovson Egg: A True Crime Tale
In the bustling, ever-evolving landscape of American food processing, one company stood out for its innovative approach to egg production—Ovson Egg. Founded in 1919, this company was not just a pioneer in its field but also a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit and complex history of American industry. From its humble beginnings to its entanglement in legal troubles, Ovson Egg's story is as compelling as it is intricate.
Founding and Early Innovations
The story of Ovson Egg begins in the 1890s in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where the breaking and freezing of eggs first took root. George Dole, a pioneer with one of the earliest cold storage facilities, joined forces with H.J. Keith, a former school teacher turned egg-breaking business owner. Together, they launched the H.J. Keith Company, which revolutionized the egg industry by separating yolks from whites and selling them as distinct products. In 1898, Keith struck a pivotal deal with H.A. Perry of Salina, Kansas, who had invented a groundbreaking hand-operated yolk-and-white separator. This invention, licensed by Keith, dramatically amplified their production capabilities.
Enter Morris Ovson, a Russian immigrant who arrived in the United States in 1904 and became a citizen five years later. Ovson began his career as an egg candler at the H.J. Keith Company, quickly climbing the ranks to become a processing operations inspector. His expertise even took him to Europe to master the production of dried eggs. In 1917, Keith dispatched Ovson to Shanghai to establish the Amos Bird Company, specializing in dried and frozen egg production. However, Ovson hesitated to relocate his family, which included his wife Ida Karelitz, whom he married in 1910, and their three sons—Leo, Gene, and Hank.
Instead, in 1919, Ovson returned to the U.S. and partnered with Keith to form the Ovson-Keith Egg Company. To bolster their financial base, C.J. Bowman and W.F. Priebe joined as investors, leading to the rebranding of the company as the Bowman-Priebe-Ovson Company.
The 1920s: Growth and Innovation
Morris Ovson's ingenuity was recognized in 1922 when he patented "Mocoyolk" (U.S. Patent No. 1,429,559), a concoction of 95% yolk and 5% glycerine that preserved egg consistency and kept baked goods moist. However, the economic turmoil of the Great Depression forced the company to restructure in 1929, emerging as the Ovson Egg Company with a crucial investment from the National Dairy Products Corporation, later part of Kraft Foods.
Expansion in the 1930s and 1940s
The 1930s saw Ovson Egg rise to prominence, becoming one of the largest processed egg companies in the U.S., second only to Standard Brands. With seven plants spread across Chicago, St. Louis, Dallas, Davenport, Moberly, Great Bend, and Parsons, the company was a formidable presence. Notably, their Shanghai plant was the largest egg processing facility in Asia. World War II further boosted demand for egg products, particularly dried and powdered eggs, which Ovson Egg supplied to the U.S. military, resulting in soaring profits.
In 1948, Leo and Morris Ovson expanded operations by opening a new plant in Neosho, Missouri, built by R.A. Haas. Haas Cold Storage managed the processed eggs, further cementing Ovson Egg's industry foothold.
Legal Troubles and Sale
The dawn of the 1950s brought significant changes. In 1952, Kraft Foods acquired National Dairy Products, integrating Ovson Egg into its vast portfolio. Despite the acquisition, the Ovson Egg offices remained in Chicago. But trouble loomed ahead. On June 14, 1955, Morris and Leo Ovson found themselves indicted for perjury in a labor racketeering investigation. The charges stemmed from their false testimony to a federal grand jury regarding payments made to Joseph Glimco, president of Local 777 of the Taxicab Drivers Union, and Max Podolsky, a union organizer for the Egg Inspectors Union. These individuals were deeply involved in the egg trade at Chicago's Fulton Street Egg Market.
To resolve the legal quagmire, Morris Ovson struck a plea deal, admitting guilt to one charge in exchange for the dismissal of two others against him and the sole charge against Leo. Due to Morris's advanced age, poor health, and retirement from the business, he received a lenient sentence of one year of probation.
The End of an Era
Morris Ovson passed away in 1961 at 77, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and a complex business history. As of 2007, Ovson Egg continued to operate as a subsidiary of Kraft Foods, with offices in New York City, Kansas City, and Shanghai, primarily serving other Kraft subsidiaries.
Sources
For more details on Ovson Egg's storied past, visit the original Wikipedia article here.
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On October 15, 2023, at approximately 10:30 PM, law enforcement responded to a reported armed robbery at the Ovson Egg processing facility located at 1234 Egg Lane, Springfield, USA. Two masked suspects entered the facility, brandishing firearms and demanding cash from the night shift employees. The suspects fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of cash, and no injuries were reported among the staff. The suspects are described as male, approximately 6 feet tall, wearing dark clothing and masks. Currently, the investigation is ongoing, with surveillance footage being reviewed and forensic evidence collected from the scene. Detectives are actively pursuing leads and have requested assistance from the public for any information related to the suspects' identities or whereabouts.
Community analysis and theories will be displayed here when available.
The Rise and Fall of Ovson Egg: A True Crime Tale
In the bustling, ever-evolving landscape of American food processing, one company stood out for its innovative approach to egg production—Ovson Egg. Founded in 1919, this company was not just a pioneer in its field but also a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit and complex history of American industry. From its humble beginnings to its entanglement in legal troubles, Ovson Egg's story is as compelling as it is intricate.
Founding and Early Innovations
The story of Ovson Egg begins in the 1890s in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where the breaking and freezing of eggs first took root. George Dole, a pioneer with one of the earliest cold storage facilities, joined forces with H.J. Keith, a former school teacher turned egg-breaking business owner. Together, they launched the H.J. Keith Company, which revolutionized the egg industry by separating yolks from whites and selling them as distinct products. In 1898, Keith struck a pivotal deal with H.A. Perry of Salina, Kansas, who had invented a groundbreaking hand-operated yolk-and-white separator. This invention, licensed by Keith, dramatically amplified their production capabilities.
Enter Morris Ovson, a Russian immigrant who arrived in the United States in 1904 and became a citizen five years later. Ovson began his career as an egg candler at the H.J. Keith Company, quickly climbing the ranks to become a processing operations inspector. His expertise even took him to Europe to master the production of dried eggs. In 1917, Keith dispatched Ovson to Shanghai to establish the Amos Bird Company, specializing in dried and frozen egg production. However, Ovson hesitated to relocate his family, which included his wife Ida Karelitz, whom he married in 1910, and their three sons—Leo, Gene, and Hank.
Instead, in 1919, Ovson returned to the U.S. and partnered with Keith to form the Ovson-Keith Egg Company. To bolster their financial base, C.J. Bowman and W.F. Priebe joined as investors, leading to the rebranding of the company as the Bowman-Priebe-Ovson Company.
The 1920s: Growth and Innovation
Morris Ovson's ingenuity was recognized in 1922 when he patented "Mocoyolk" (U.S. Patent No. 1,429,559), a concoction of 95% yolk and 5% glycerine that preserved egg consistency and kept baked goods moist. However, the economic turmoil of the Great Depression forced the company to restructure in 1929, emerging as the Ovson Egg Company with a crucial investment from the National Dairy Products Corporation, later part of Kraft Foods.
Expansion in the 1930s and 1940s
The 1930s saw Ovson Egg rise to prominence, becoming one of the largest processed egg companies in the U.S., second only to Standard Brands. With seven plants spread across Chicago, St. Louis, Dallas, Davenport, Moberly, Great Bend, and Parsons, the company was a formidable presence. Notably, their Shanghai plant was the largest egg processing facility in Asia. World War II further boosted demand for egg products, particularly dried and powdered eggs, which Ovson Egg supplied to the U.S. military, resulting in soaring profits.
In 1948, Leo and Morris Ovson expanded operations by opening a new plant in Neosho, Missouri, built by R.A. Haas. Haas Cold Storage managed the processed eggs, further cementing Ovson Egg's industry foothold.
Legal Troubles and Sale
The dawn of the 1950s brought significant changes. In 1952, Kraft Foods acquired National Dairy Products, integrating Ovson Egg into its vast portfolio. Despite the acquisition, the Ovson Egg offices remained in Chicago. But trouble loomed ahead. On June 14, 1955, Morris and Leo Ovson found themselves indicted for perjury in a labor racketeering investigation. The charges stemmed from their false testimony to a federal grand jury regarding payments made to Joseph Glimco, president of Local 777 of the Taxicab Drivers Union, and Max Podolsky, a union organizer for the Egg Inspectors Union. These individuals were deeply involved in the egg trade at Chicago's Fulton Street Egg Market.
To resolve the legal quagmire, Morris Ovson struck a plea deal, admitting guilt to one charge in exchange for the dismissal of two others against him and the sole charge against Leo. Due to Morris's advanced age, poor health, and retirement from the business, he received a lenient sentence of one year of probation.
The End of an Era
Morris Ovson passed away in 1961 at 77, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and a complex business history. As of 2007, Ovson Egg continued to operate as a subsidiary of Kraft Foods, with offices in New York City, Kansas City, and Shanghai, primarily serving other Kraft subsidiaries.
Sources
For more details on Ovson Egg's storied past, visit the original Wikipedia article here.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...