[dad911]

Even if the house is multi-story, older homes are typically balloon-framed (which means the outside walls are framed 2-story high) without blocks/firestops. Great for pulling wires, bad for insulation, and fires spread very quickly.

You could also put a sub-panel in the attic, and pull circuits from there.

Before you go punching holes in old plaster and lathe, consider asbestos & lead.

A good electrician could pull wires with minimal damage. I would probably try to do as much near the ceilings and floor as possible, and cover the damage with crown & base moldings.