John I. Beggs

John Irvin Beggs
John Irvin Beggs
Born	Template:Birth date; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	October 17, 1925 (aged 78); Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, electric utility executive, financier
Known for	Expansion of electric utilities; early board member of General Electric; pioneer in corporate depreciation practices

John Irvin Beggs (September 17, 1847 – October 17, 1925) was a prominent American entrepreneur associated with the expansion of electric utilities during the era of Thomas Edison. He held influential positions within electric power companies and regional rail and interurban trolley networks in metropolitan areas such as Milwaukee and St. Louis. Beggs is noted for pioneering contemporary depreciation practices in corporate accounting and was among the early board members of the company that evolved into General Electric.

Early Life

Born in Philadelphia to James and Mary Irvin Beggs, who were of Scottish heritage originating from Northern Ireland, Beggs faced the loss of his father at age seven. To support his family, he undertook various jobs including working in a brickyard, tending cattle, and performing as a butcher.

Education

Before relocating to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania at 21, Beggs instructed courses in accounting and penmanship at Bryant & Stratton Business College in Philadelphia. In Harrisburg, he began his career as an accountant with Mitchell & Haggerty Coal Company, later transitioning into real estate and fire insurance sales. He also became a member of Masonic organizations, maintaining this affiliation throughout his life.

Involvement in Electric Lighting

Beggs played a key role in founding the Harrisburg Electric Light Co., overseeing the construction and operation of what became the first commercially viable electric lighting facility in the United States. His involvement was sparked when he chaired the building committee for Grace Methodist Episcopal Church in Harrisburg and electrified the sanctuary—marking it as the first church worldwide to substitute candles with electric bulbs.

He married Sue Elizabeth Charles in Harrisburg, and they had one daughter named Mary Grace Beggs. Following his success with Harrisburg’s electric plant, J.P. Morgan enlisted him in 1886 to lead New York City’s Edison Illuminating Company. Over five years, Beggs established two power stations, including the Pearl Street station that initially supplied electricity to Wall Street brokerage firms.

Collaborating closely with Thomas Edison, Beggs became part of the Edison Pioneers and served on the board of the Illuminating Company. He also held a directorship at Detroit Edison during the period when Henry Ford first introduced his automobile startup concept to potential investors.

Professional Journey

After New York, Beggs relocated to Chicago as Western Manager for the Edison Company, remaining until its consolidation with Thomson-Houston Electric Company to create General Electric. The newly formed North American Company acquired electric lighting interests in Cincinnati, Ohio, where Beggs oversaw operations. As the company expanded into electric railways and lighting services in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he divided his efforts between these locations until 1897 when Cincinnati holdings were sold and he concentrated on Milwaukee utilities.

In 1903, North American Company purchased electric lighting properties in St. Louis, Missouri. Initially acting as an advisor, Beggs split his time between Milwaukee and St. Louis. He served as president of St. Louis’s electric lighting enterprise, gas company, street railway firm, and also held the roles of president and general manager of The Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Company. During this period, he was instrumental in developing Milwaukee’s Public Service Building and constructing interurban railway routes extending from the city.

By 1911, after acquiring a controlling stake in the St. Louis Car Company, Beggs resigned from his positions in Milwaukee companies and moved permanently to St. Louis. While maintaining business connections in Milwaukee, he established St. Louis as his primary residence.

Beggs Isle

In the spring of 1911, Beggs acquired Beggs Isle located in Lac La Belle, close to Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and developed it into a summer retreat for himself and his daughter's family. He cultivated the island into a botanical haven, introducing exotic species such as Egyptian papyrus that were specially acclimated to withstand Wisconsin's winter conditions. Additionally, he organized grand fireworks exhibitions to mark Fourth of July festivities.

By 1915, Beggs expanded his investments into northern Wisconsin's water power ventures while continuing to reside in St. Louis. In 1920, he secured re-election as president of The Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Co., a role he maintained until his passing.

Beggs was a member of the Executive Committee at the North American Company and held an active investment role with the First Wisconsin National Bank. During his final ten years, he supervised the construction of what became the second-largest paper mill in the nation, restructured the J. I. Case Plow Company, financed a hotel development in Atlantic City, and managed a major real estate deal in Florida.

Director and Officer

At the time of his death, Beggs held directorships or officer positions in 53 corporations, including:

Director at North American Edison Company (now General Electric)
Director and Executive Committee member at The North American Company
Director, President, and Executive Committee member at The Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Company
Director and Vice-President at Wisconsin Gas & Electric Company
Director and Chairman of the Executive Committee at Briggs & Stratton Corporation
Director and Chairman of the Board at St. Louis Car Company
Director at J. I. Case Plow Works Company, Inc.
Director and President at Southern Improvement Company
Director and member of Executive and Finance Committees at First Wisconsin National Bank, Milwaukee
Director at First Wisconsin Company, Milwaukee
Director and member of Executive and Finance Committees at Grand & Sixth National Bank, Milwaukee
Director at First National Bank in St. Louis
Director and President at Milwaukee Northern Railway Company
Director and President at Wisconsin Traction, Light, Heat & Power Company
Director at Peninsular Power Company
Director at North American Utilities Investment Corporation
Director at West Kentucky Coal Company
Director at United Railways Company of St. Louis
Director and Executive Committee member at Wisconsin Securities Company
Director at Wisconsin Public Service Corporation
Director at Menominee & Marinette Light & Traction Company
Director at Wisconsin Railway, Light & Power Company
Director at Land & Sea Investment Company, Baltimore
Director at Oil Transport Company, Baltimore
Director at Wisconsin Power, Light & Heat Company
Director at Wisconsin River Power Company (Hydro-Electric)
Director at Southern Wisconsin Power Company (Hydro-Electric)
Director and member of Executive and Finance Committees at Northwestern Casualty & Surety Company
Director at The Newport Company
Director at Milwaukee Coke & Gas Company
Director and President at Globe Electric Company
Director and President at Globe Real Estate Company
Director and President at Wisconsin Real Estate Development Corporation
Director and President at Grand & Sixth Building, Inc.
Director, President, and Treasurer at Central Utilities Securities Corporation
Director at Midland Oil, Gas & Refining Company
Director at Lane Oil Producing Company
Director and President at Johnson & King Coal Company
Director at Raven Mining Company
Director and President at American Granite Company
Director at Shotwell Manufacturing Company
Director and President at East Coast Development Company (Florida)
Director and President at Louisiana Pulp & Paper Company (Bastrop, LA)
Director at Frankenberg Refrigerating Company
Vice-President at Prescott & Northwestern Ry. Company (Prescott, Ark.)
President of Montana Railroad Company (Clarksville, Ark.)
President of the President Apartment Hotel Company (Atlantic City)

Legacy

He passed away in Milwaukee on October 17, 1925, at the age of 78 and was laid to rest in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Throughout their lives, Edison and Beggs maintained a close friendship; on Beggs' 75th birthday at Beggs Isle, Edison presented him with a grandfather clock along with a signed photograph bearing the inscription "To my hustler friend, (signed) Thomas A. Edison."

At the time of his passing, Beggs' fortune was valued at over $20 million. This substantial estate was inherited by his grandchildren: Robert Paxton McCulloch (1911–1977), Mary Sue McCulloch ("Suzie Linden") (1913–1996), and John Irvin Beggs McCulloch (1908–1983).

Filmography

The Trolley at East Troy – A 1986 documentary directed by Louis Rugani that highlights the establishment and preservation initiatives of the trolley line.

External links

Biographical sketch from Wisconsin Historical Society
Beggs Isle, Lac La Belle, Oconomowoc, Wis (1927) – Oconomowoc Historical Society