Spiegel, Jack oral history interview, 2002

Item

Identifier: MOH 354

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Interview includes discussions of: Salem, Massachusetts; becoming a Democrat; donating lands; registering Republican to beat Ralph Owen Brewster; parent’s immigration; Quoddy Moccasins; economic set up of Quoddy; selling the company; Portland Democratic leaders; Larry Spiegel at the Portland Press Herald and Governor Brennan’s office; congressional reaction to shoe imports; importance of quality workmanship; decline in Maine shoe industries; Ralph Owen Brewster; corporate scandals in 2002; corporate greed; problems with department stores in the shoe industry; and the Jewish community in Portland.

Dates

2002

Access Restrictions

Some interviews may be restricted pending approval of the interviewee. See the Archives staff for additional information.

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Biographical / Historical

Jack Spiegel was born in Salem, Massachusetts on November 6, 1917 to Lena Ann [Swig] and Charles Spiegel. His mother was a housewife and his father was a shoe wholesaler. Jack was educated in the Salem public schools. He graduated from Amherst College in 1939. After college, he became active in business, coming to Maine and operating Quoddy Moccasins, which he sold in 1971. Since then, he has been active in various community and philanthropic activities. He donated 160 acres of land to the Bradley Mountain State Park, and 1100 acres in Raymond to Lands for Maine’s future.