Biography - JESSE R. BEGGS
Jesse R. Beggs, president of the First National Bank of Arcola,
doubtless enjoys the distinction of being the youngest national bank
president in the state. He has occupied this important position since the
death of his father, whom he succeeded in February, 1895. He was born in
Arcola, August 19, 1868, and was educated in the public schools of the
village. His father, James Beggs, was born in Clark county, near
Charlestown, the old county seat. He came to Arcola in 1858, where he
followed a most successful business career up to the time of his death. His
wife was Amanda Brentlinger, who was also born in the same town. On the
organization of the bank, in 1874, he was chosen its first president, though
he had had banking experience since 1866. The present capital of the bank is
fifty thousand dollars, with a surplus of ten thousand dollars, and one
hundred and twenty thousand dollars average deposits. Lender its present
management it is doing a flourishing business, and is one of the nicest
substantial banking houses in central Illinois.
In 1892 our subject was married to Miss Florence M. McMillan, of Arcola. Mr.
Beggs has many substantial and devoted friends and no young man is more
favorably known throughout the county than he.
Extracted 03 Apr 2020 by Norma Hass from the Historical and Biographical Record of Douglas County, Illinois, published in 1900, page 280.
