In 1892, Insull came to Chicago to become president of Chicago Edison, an electric power company. And in 1907, he merged Chicago Edison with Commonwealth Electric, forming Commonwealth Edison, Chicago's present electric utility.
In 1912, Insull formed the Middle West Utilities Co., a holding company which eventually acquired many electric railways and utilities throughout the United States. In 1924, Insull also formed Midland Utilities Co. owning electric railways and utilities in Indiana. In addition, Insull continued to control Commonwealth Edison, the Chicago Rapid Transit Co., and acquired three electric interurban railways operating into Chicago.
The following companies operating electric railways were all controlled by Samuel Insull. Insull resigned from control of all companies in 1932.
MIDLAND UTILITIES CO.
Incorporated 1923.
Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad
High speed interurban
Acquired 1925 by Midland Utilities Co.
Became separate new company 1944
Gary Railways Co.
Gary IN
Acquired 1923 by Midland Utilities Co.
Sold to Chicago & Calumet District Transit Co. 1932
Indiana Service Corp.
Fort Wayne, Logansport, Peru, Wabash, interurban line
Acquired 1925 by Midland Utilities Co.
Transit operations sold 1948
ADDITIONAL COMPANIES
Companies acquired prior to 1928 were subsidiaries of other Insull companies, before becoming subsidiaries of Midland United Co.
Indiana Railroad
Anderson, Marion, Muncie, Richmond, interurban lines
Acquired 1930 by Midland United Co.
Transit operations sold 1942
Northern Indiana Power Co.
Kokomo, interurban line
Acquired 1925 with American Public Utilities Co.
Transit operations discontinued 1932
Public Service Co. of Indiana
Columbus, Jeffersonville, New Albany, Terre Haute, interurban line
Acquired 1912 by Middle West Utilities Co.
Transit operations discontinued 1941
Southwestern Gas & Electric Co.
Texarkana AR
Acquired 1925 by Middle West Utilities Co.
Transit operations sold 1935
Central Illinois Public Service Co.
Anna, Joliet, Harrisburg, Mattoon, Paris, Taylorville
Acquired 1912 by Middle West Utilities Co.
Transit operations discontinued 1934
Illinois Northern Utilities Co.
Freeport, Dixon/Sterling
Acquired 1912 by Middle West Utilities Co.
Transit operations discontinued 1933
Kansas Electric Power Co.
Emporia, Lawrence
Acquired 1925 by Middle West Utilities Co.
Sold to Kansas Power & Light Co. 1943
Kentucky Securities Corp.
Frankfort, Lexington, interurban lines
Acquired 1930 by Middle West Utilities Co.
Transit operations sold 1938
Kentucky Utilities Co.
Paducah, Somerset
Acquired 1912 by Middle West Utilities Co. (Paducah added 1925 from Stone & Webster)
Transit operations sold 1944
New England Public Service Co.
Portland ME, Waterville ME, Manchester NH, interurban lines
Acquired 1925 by Middle West Utilities Co.
Became separate new company 1933/Transit operations sold 1952
Tide Water Power Co.
Wilmington NC
Acquired 1923 by National Public Service Corp./1928 by Middle West Utilities Co.
Became separate new company 1933/Acquired 1935 by Associated Gas & Electric Co.
Southwest Power Co.
McAlester OK
Acquired 1926 by Middle West Utilities Co.
Transit operations sold 1945
Municipal Service Co.
Altoona PA, Oil City/Franklin PA, Scranton PA, York PA, Delaware OH, Marion OH, interurban lines
Acquired 1925 by National Public Service Corp./1928 by Middle West Utilities Co.
Became separate new company 1932/Acquired 1936 by Associated Gas & Electric Co.
Lewistown & Reedsville Railroad Co.
Interurban (PA)
Acquired 1926 by Middle West Utilities Co.
Passenger service discontinued 1933
American Public Service Co.
Abilene TX, Marshall TX, interurban line
Acquired 1919 by Middle West Utilities Co.
Transit operations discontinued 1933
Central & Southwest Utilities Co.
Corpus Christi TX, Laredo TX, Natchez MS
Acquired 1925 by Middle West Utilities Co.
Transit operations sold 1935
Twin State Gas & Electric Co.
Brattleboro VT
Acquired 1912 by Middle West Utilities Co.
Transit operations discontinued 1925
Virginia Public Service Co.
Charlottesville, Newport News
Acquired 1923 by National Public Service Corp./1928 by Middle West Utilities Co.
Became separate new company 1933/Acquired 1935 by Associated Gas & Electric Co.
Lake Superior District Power Co. (North West Utilities Co.)
Ironwood MI, Ashland WI
Acquired 1922 by Middle West Utilities Co.
Transit operations discontinued 1933
Wisconsin Power & Light Co. (North West Utilities Co.)
Beloit, Fond Du Lac, Janesville, Oshkosh, Sheboygan, interurban lines
Acquired 1918 by Middle West Utilities Co.
Transit operations sold 1944