New Year’s day in 1860 marked a turn in the century in Beloit. That day bright, blue flames shot from small brass openings in a number of Beloit homes. Gas lights replaced the dim, yellow, flickering flames of oil lamps and tallow candles.

Joseph Hendley engineered the construction of Beloit’s first gas plant, and under his direction, gas had been piped to a few homes and business places ready for use the first time that New Year’s day.

He came here from Cleveland in 1856 when he was 37 years old. He was born in London, England. As soon as he arrived in Beloit the construction of the gas plant was suggested by him. Manufacture of gas and a system of distribution was completed four years later.

John Hackett, prominent Beloit pioneer, was the first president of the Beloit Gas, Light & Coke Company, and Joseph Hendley was the general superintendent and manager. He continued to direct the affairs of the concern until he died October 10, 1899, when he was 83 years old.

About the same time he started the company here, he started a gas plant in Janesville. In the early years before the railroad came to Beloit, he frequently walked to Clinton to get on a train there to go to Janesville.

He was a resident of Beloit for 53 years. In 1902 the firm here was renamed the Beloit Water, Gas & Electric Company.