Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-12-27
Despite His Eighty Years He Was
Active in Conduct of Business.
TATE OF OVER FORTY MILLIONS
Large Interests in California and the
Hawaiian Islands.
WILL TO BE OPENED MONDAY
Rudolph and &. A. SpreckeIs Are
Appointed Administrators, Rs
Certain Matters Required
Attention at Once.

SAN FRANCISCO, Cal. Dec. 26.-C1aus
Spreckels, widely known as the sugar
king" of the Pacific coast, died at 4;30
O'Clock today at his home In this city In
his elghtieth year. The immediate cause
OF death was an attack OF pneumonia,
which developed with alarming symptoms
during the last few days His condition
last night told his physicians the end was
near and relatives remained at his bed
side until the hour of his death Rudolph
Spreckels, who returned from Honolulu
yesterday on board the steamer Nippon
Maru, was one of the number. John d.
Spreckels proprietor of the San Francisco
Call and head Of the Oceanic Steamship
company. was also In attendance at his
fathers bedside, as were Mrs. Harry Hol-
brook and Mrs. w. Alexander Hamilton,
the daughters of Mr.. John ID. Spreckels
Despite his advanced age, Mr., Spreckels
had devoted n large share OF attention to
the various enterprises in which he was
Interested, and 1t is not more than month
since he appeared before the ways and
means committee of the house In Washing
ton as authority on the subject of sugar
duties. Two years ago he was attacked
by a severe illness. but his vigorous con-
stitutlon enabled him to Withstand his sick
ness and he was after a time, restored to
his usual health.
sprecIkeIs Family Prominent.
Apart from the importance which at
tached to Claus Spreckels as the pioneer
sugar refner Of the Pacific coast, and
investor of millions in California and
the Hawaiian islands. the spreckels family
has for many years been one of the most
prominent in the state.
John d. Spreckles, his eldest son, has
been for years a directing influence In orr
entail trade, apart from his other interests,
and Rudolph, president of the First Ma
tional bank OF this city has been a sup
porter of the graft prosecution in San
Francisco to the extent of thousands OF
dollars In addition to his active participa-
tion.
Superior Judge Graham today appointed
Rudolph spreckles and C. A. spreckles exc
cutors Of the will of their father. Claus
Spreckles, fixing their bonds ae@ss5000OO
which was furnished. In applying for let
ters Of administration IT was stated that
some matters connected with the estate
needed immediate attention.
The will is in the possession OF the widow,
Mrs. Anna spreckles, and will be opened
on Monday. 1t is said that all of the dead
capitalists children are mentioned in the
the value OF which Is varously estimated
at from $40 100000 to S5O,OOO.OOO 1t was stated
that the income from the estate exceeded
S250,OOO year.
Eighty Years Old.
Claus Spreckles was born In Lamstadt
Germany. in 1928 and came to the United
States in 1916. After being employed for
some time in Charleston, s. c., and New
York, he came to San Francisco. reaching
this city in 1856 He established a store
here and later conducted a brewery. In
1868 he built the Bay Sugar refinery and
began the Importation of raw material
| from Hawaii
Prosperlng in this business, he estab-
! lished other refineries and promoted the
| beet sugar industry by establishing refin-
| cries and engaging in the farming OF
| beets on a large scale. He also built a
refinery at Philadelphia, invested largely
In the Oceanic Steamship company and
many other enterprises, including the
building OF the San Joaqin Valley rail-
way Many of his interests in Hawaii are
reported TO have been disposed of by his
son Rudolph by the latter's recent trip
to the Islands. They included the banking
house Of Claus Spreckles g. Co. and some
| real estate.