Claus Spreckels

1828–1908 (age 80)

Businessman/Sugar magnate

Biography

Claus Spreckels transformed a modest sugar refinery into an empire that spanned California and Hawaii, building ships, railways, and refineries that fueled the region's economic expansion.

He matched his business success with philanthropic investments in education, hospitals, and public spaces, leaving an indelible mark on the communities he touched.