Leland, Ralph Cobb (Died)

The death of Ralph Cobb Leland, for many years a resident of Winnetka, occurred Monday, February 11, at St. Francis hospital. Mr. Leland, who was 58 years old, at the time of his death, had resided for the past forty years at the home of Miss Lily Struggles, formerly of Winnetka, and now living at 1620 Spencer avenue, Wilmette. Warren Leland, father of Ralph Cobb Leland, was one of the early pioneer hotel owners in Chicago and New York, being head of a chain of hotels throughout the East and Middle West. He operated Leland hotel in Chicago which stood where the Straus building is now, and he built the famoous old landmark, the Chicago Beach hotel. Forty years ago in New York City the well known Leland hotel burned-another of Warren Leland's hotels-and in that fire Mr. and Mrs. Leland lost their lives, leaving their son, Ralph, an orphan. At that time Mrs. Struggles and her daughter, Miss Lily Struggles, took the boy into their home and cared for him throughout the remaining years of his life. Ralph Leland is the last of the Leland family with the exception of two cousins who are still living. He was born in Albany, N. Y., and while not a native son of Chicago or the north shore he came here as a small boy and had lived here ever since. Funeral services will be conducted by Dr. Samuel Harkness of the Winnetka Congregational church on Friday morning, February 15, at 10 o'clock at the home of Miss Lily Struggles. Burial will be at Oakwood cemetery.