financier, pioneer in electric transportation and electric utilities industry and in depreciation theory and accounting, b. Philadelphia, Pa. Before coming to Wisconsin, Beggs was active in the financial development of the Edison electric companies in the East and, as manager of the Harrisburg Edison Illuminating Co. (1882-1887), developed and applied depreciation theory and accounting, a major advance in business accounting. He was president of the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies (1886-1893) and from 1887 to 1890 worked in New York for the Edison group. In 1890 he moved to Chicago to direct the affairs of the Western Edison Light Co. Beggs' connection with Wisconsin utilities began in 1891 when he became a director of the Appleton Edison Electric Co.; eventually he rose to virtual domination of the electric utilities industry in the state. In the early 1890's he moved to Milwaukee to manage the North American Company's electric light and railway interests. Although he lived in St. Louis from 1911 to 1920, Beggs maintained his interests in Wisconsin and returned to Milwaukee in 1920, where he was president of the Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Co. until his death. His connection with Wisconsin industry was marked by widespread business associations, and from about 1900 until his death Beggs was one of the most powerful financiers and businessmen in the state. F. McDonald, Let There Be Light (Madison, 1957); Amer. Biog. . . . Cyclopedia, 49 (1931); J. G. Gregory, Hist. of Milwaukee (4 vols., Chicago, 1931); Milwaukee Journal, Oct. 18, 1925; J. I. Beggs Papers.

The Wisconsin Historical Society has manuscripts related to this topic. See the catalog description of the John I. Beggs Papers for details.

View newspaper clippings at Wisconsin Local History and Biography Articles.

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[Source: Dictionary of Wisconsin biography]