John T. Spickett was a charter member of the Juneau Men's Igloo and was President in 1924, 1925, 1926, 1930. Spickett was Grand President of the Grand Igloo of Pioneers of Alaska for two years.
Spickett was born in Bristol England, January 4, 1858. He came to the United States with his parents in 1870. When he was six years old, the family moved to Detroit, Michigan.
Attracted by the theatrical profession in his youth, John was both a performer and manager-producer. He made two trips to England as a member of Haverly’s Minstrels and in 1891; he had an amusement concession at the Chicago World’s Fair.
In 1896, John Spickett organized a touring company and performed at the Juneau Opera House. Leaving Alaska, he went to California and toured the state for two years.
While in California, he married Josephine Charlotte Clark in Sacrament. He and his wife returned to Juneau in 1898 to make their home.
Spickett’s first business venture in Juneau was to purchase the Franklin Hotel in 1899, aka the Occidental Annex on Front and Main streets which he conducted until 1905. He then opened a liquor and cigar stand across the street.
Being a staunch Republican, Mr. Spickett was appointed postmaster of Juneau in 1908 and served in that capacity until 1912. In connection with the post office, Mr. and Mrs. Spickett conducted a newsstand and music house. After his term as postmaster, he sold his newsstand to James Barragar and entered the moving picture business.
He opened the Orpheum Rooms, at Main and Willoughby Avenue, which at that time was the finest theater in Alaska. After securing his pictures and starting his show house, Mr. Spickett secured the agency of the Canadian National Railways which he held for a number of years.
After closing the Orpheum, he operated the Dream and the Palace, the former being closed and the latter sold to Lawrence Kubley. Mr. Spickett retired from active business life, after a long and successful theatrical career.
In politics Mr. Spickett was a Republican and was Chairman of the Republican territorial Committee.
Mr. Spickett was the first member to be initiated in Juneau Lodge No. 420 B.P.O. Elks, of which he was a life member, and always took an active part in lodge work, until his health failed. He was one of the first secretaries and through his efforts in the early days, kept the lodge together. Until recent years he always had charge of the minstrel shows of the Elks and the last minstrel show was dedicated to him.
John T. Spickett died in Juneau, Alaska on July 31, 1932.
Biographies of Alaska-Yukon Pioneers 1850-1950, Volume 2 p 302 – 304, by Ed Ferrell (May 1, 2009