The First Physicians of Shamokin
Dr. Joseph C. Robins, of Elysburg, was the first physician who practiced at Shamokin to any extent; Dr. Robert Phillips resided there and enjoyed a professional title, but it does not appear that he ever engaged in the practice of his profession at this place.
It was impossible, however, to obtain prompt medical attendance from Elysburg in cases of emergency, and very inconvenient to send for Doctor Robins under any circumstances, and in 1842 the citizens of Shamokin entered into a joint subscription for the support of a resident physician. The services of Dr. John K. Robins, who had recently graduated from Jefferson Medical College, were secured, and in April, 1842, he located at Shamokin, where he was in active practice until January, 1846; he then removed to Catawissa, where he now resides, and is one of the oldest physicians of Columbia county. Doctor Robins was the only physician at Shamokin during the period of his residence here.
After the departure of Doctor Robins the services of Dr. George Weiser were secured. He arranged to stay one year, but a more favorable opening having been presented at Georgetown, Northumberland county, he removed thither, and Dr. Charles Weiser tilled the remainder of the unexpired term.
The town was then without a resident physician until 1852, when Dr. Galen S. Robins, a son of Dr. Joseph C. Robins and a graduate of the Pennsylvania College of Medicine, located here; he was in active practice until his death in 1856, associated during a part of this time with Dr. J. J. John and with his brother. Dr. E. S. Robins.
The First Lawyers of Shamokin
The first resident lawyer of Shamokin was Spencer M. Kase, a native of Rush township, Northumberland county, a graduate of Bucknell University, Lewisburg, and of the Easton Law School, who read law with Joshua W. Comly at Danville and located at Shamokin in the practice of his profession in 1853. His office was a one-story frame building at the southeast corner of Sunbury and Shamokin streets. After a residence of three or four years at Shamokin he removed to East St. Louis, Illinois, where he became a well known criminal lawyer. He was elected to the legislature of that State, and was once the nominee of the Democratic party for judge of the district court. when, although the minority candidate, he was defeated by only a small majority. His death occurred in 1890.
William Lattimer Scott, the second resident attorney, was also a native of Rush township. He read law with John Cooper, of Danville, located at Shamokin shortly after his admission to the bar, and had his office at the northeast corner of Shamokin and Independence streets. He served as district attorney of Northumberland county, and resided at Shamokin until his death.