John D. Spreckles, born in Charleston, S.C. Attended Oakland College and studied chemistry and mechanical engineering in Hanover, Germany. In 1876 he went to the Hawaiian Islands to work for his father in the sugar business and established his own shipping enterprise, only to become very wealthy in his own right.
Spreckles interest in San Diego lasted a life time. He invested in San Diego many times over.
He was the owner of the San Francisco Call, in 1890 purchased the San Diego Union Newspaper, and in 1901 purchased The Tribune.
He moved permanently to San Diego after the 1906 earthquake. During his life time he owned numerous businesses and was president of several big companies. Spreckles became a millionaire many times over and was the wealthiest man in San Diego. He died in June 1926.
He was one of America’s few great Empire Builders who invested millions to turn a struggling, bankrupt village into a beautiful cosmopolitan city that San Diego is today.
Contributed by Angela Wilson
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