Claus Spreckels, The Sugar King

Mimi's Mother, Jean Ferris was born in Reigate, Surrey. She was the daughter of Thomas Wakefield Ferris (born Fairford, Gloucestershire) and his wife, Emma Claudine. Emma was the only daughter of Claus Spreckels, otherwise known as The Sugar King, in the USA. Think 'Mr Tate and Lyle' in Britain!
 Claus was born in Hanover, in Germany and came to the USA where he made a lot of money from brewing and was able to buy land in both California and Hawaii. He made even more money growing and refining sugar.
His wife, Anna Christiana Mangels was also from Hanover and they had four children.Three were boys: John Dietrich, Adolph Bernard and Claus Augustus. Emma Claudine Spreckels was their only daughter. Her Father doted on her and was horrified when she eloped in 1896 with 'Tom' Watson, a San Francisco broker. They were married at San Jose. Thomas Watson was a friend of her Father's who used to come and dine with them. He was old enough to be her Father.
Claus had already given Emma about $2 million and when he expressed his displeasure at her marriage she returned $1,500.000 in bonds and property to him. He was furious and refused any contact with her new husband. He had just built a new mansion (see above) and had expected her to act as hostess to all his friends. Claus Spreckels was not a man who liked to be thwarted.