Leo Michelin’s origins were humble, but he married the daughter of Johan Henrik Lindroos in 1865, which secured financial independence for his family to the extent that salaried work was no longer a necessity. Johan Henrik Lindroos, Helsinki’s wealthiest capitalist, had died two years previously. Through  marriage, part of this wealth passed to Mechelin, and he was to exert a strong influence over Lindroos’s businesses.

As was typical of the era, Mechelin was active in both politics and business life, not to mention academia. He was asked to continue as governor of the Union Bank of Finland at the beginning of the 1870s, but he decided instead to apply for a professorship from the University. His wide-ranging skills in different areas of society undoubtedly also explain the success of his business ventures.

One such success was the founding of Nokia Ab together with a friend from his student days, Fredrik Idestam. The business focused on the paper industry and provided Mechelin with ample additional income. After the turn of the century, Nokia Ab joined the Nokia concern, which was the springboard for the world renowned Nokia of today. Nokia Ab was at that time registered in the town of Nokia, as Mechelin had purchased Nokia Manor for the company’s premises and had thus acquired part of the Nokia falls. Michelin remained on the board of Nokia Ab until his death.

Mechelin also practised agriculture. He owned a farm in Laitiala, in the municipality of Hollola. In addition, he farmed the land belonging to his wife’s family and managed the agricultural activities of Nokia Ab. He was also active in agricultural societies in the districts of Uusimaa and Häme in the 1870s.

While working as a senator, Mechelin took a stance on many of the essential questions and challenges facing the Finnish economy, which particularly at the end of the 19th century were the result of economic growth. In economic policy he followed the same principles he applied elsewhere: the promotion of a strong and independent Finland. Mechelin participated both in preparations for separating the Finnish markka from the rouble and in formulating Finland’s first unified budget. A growing economy raised questions of national infrastructure to the fore, and on Mechelin’s initiative such areas as winter seafaring began to be developed. It was also then that Finland acquired its first icebreaker.

Sources:

• Tapio Helen, Mechelin, Leo. Kansallisbiografia-verkkojulkaisu (‘National Biography web publication. Accessed August 4, 2015. Available free of charge from Nelli-portal.
• Leo Mechelin, Wikipedia. Accessed August 4, 2015.