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A political maverick, he mounted an unconventional—and unsuccessful—campaign for [[governor]] in the 1971 [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] [[primary]]. And from 1975 to 1980, he was an elected member of the Louisiana Public Service Commission, a utilities regulatory agency.

A political maverick, he mounted an unconventional—and unsuccessful—campaign for [[governor]] in the 1971 [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] [[primary]]. And from 1975 to 1980, he was an elected member of the Louisiana Public Service Commission, a utilities regulatory agency.

==Humble beginnings==

==From humble beginnings==

Schwegmann was born above the small grocery store owned by his father, John Schwegmann, Sr.  Schwegmann's Grocery and Bar, located at the intersection of Burgundy and Piety streets in the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans. His [[Germany|German]]-born grandfather had founded the store in 1869. The business was later commemorated by Schwegmann's Old Piety & Burgundy Whiskey. In the early years, the store had no heat in the winter, and the front doors were left open. This allowed cold wind to blow into the business. John Schwegman reflected that "If the clerks complained, they were told [that] heat would make them drowsy and that it would take the bloom off the fruits and vegetables, even though [[olive oil]] was freezing and breaking on the shelves. However, the real reason for keeping the doors open was to show that the store was open and ready for business."

Schwegmann was born above the small grocery store owned by his father, John Schwegmann, Sr.  Schwegmann's Grocery and Bar, located at the intersection of Burgundy and Piety streets in the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans. His [[Germany|German]]-born grandfather had founded the store in 1869. The business was later commemorated by Schwegmann's Old Piety & Burgundy Whiskey. In the early years, the store had no heat in the winter, and the front doors were left open. This allowed cold wind to blow into the business. John Schwegman reflected that "If the clerks complained, they were told [that] heat would make them drowsy and that it would take the bloom off the fruits and vegetables, even though [[olive oil]] was freezing and breaking on the shelves. However, the real reason for keeping the doors open was to show that the store was open and ready for business."

Schwegmann's formal education was limited to grammar school, a year at Holy Cross High School, and six months at Soule Business College, all institutions in New Orleans. He worked for the [[United States Postal Service]] and as a salesman for a [[margarine]] manufacturer. He took a job with Canal Bank & Trust Company, which closed in 1933. He worked in [[real estate]] until 1939, when he joined his father's store.

Schwegmann's formal education was limited to grammar school, a year at Holy Cross High School, and six months at Soule Business College, all institutions in New Orleans. He worked for the [[United States Postal Service]] and as a salesman for a [[margarine]] manufacturer. He took a job with Canal Bank & Trust Company, which closed in 1933. He worked in [[real estate]] until 1939, when he joined his father's store.

​==Launching a supermarket chain==​

​==Launching a supermarket chain==

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[[World War II]] interrupted his business career. Thereafter, on August 23, 1946, he and two brothers, Anthony Schwegmann and Paul Schwegmann, opened the first Schwegmann Brothers Giant Super Market, located on St. Claude Avenue near the intersection of Elysian Fields Avenue. The operation in time grew to eighteen stores with five thousand employees. Schwegmann's massive modern supermarket sold everything from gourmet food to garden supplies.​ The Schwegmanns revolutionized grocery shopping in New Orleans, and their outlets soon mushroomed. By 1957, there were Schwegmann stores, large in size, all over New Orleans. The largest store was the one on Old Gentilly Road. At the time, it was the biggest supermarket in the world, 55,000 square feet. The supermarket attracted both customers and onlookers, who came by tour buses to see the structure.

[[World War II]] interrupted his business career. Thereafter, on August 23, 1946, he and two brothers, Anthony Schwegmann and Paul Schwegmann, opened the first Schwegmann Brothers Giant Super Market, located on St. Claude Avenue near the intersection of Elysian Fields Avenue. The operation in time grew to eighteen stores with five thousand employees. Schwegmann's massive modern supermarket sold everything from gourmet food to garden supplies.​ The Schwegmanns revolutionized grocery shopping in New Orleans, and their outlets soon mushroomed. By 1957, there were Schwegmann stores, large in size, all over New Orleans. The largest store was the one on Old Gentilly Road. At the time, it was the biggest supermarket in the world, 55,000 square feet. The supermarket attracted both customers and onlookers, who came by tour buses to see the structure.

He also founded Schwegmann Bank & Trust Co., which was later purchased by Jefferson Guaranty Bank.​

He also founded Schwegmann Bank & Trust Co., which was later purchased by Jefferson Guaranty Bank.​

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==Schwegmann as public service litigant==

==Schwegmann as public service litigant==

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