The Beginnings of Government
Shamokin borough was incorporated by decree of court at November term, 1864. The first borough election was held on the 2nd of December in the same year; it resulted in the choice of R. B. Douty as burgess and John Esher, Daniel Weaver, Henry Van Gasken, John Dunkelberger, William H. Gilger, and John Shipp as councilmen.
The following is a list of burgesses:
- 1864-65 – R. B. Douty
- 1866 – Jonas L. Gilger
- 1867 – E. B. Douty
- 1868-69 – Reuben Fagely
- 1870-71 – J. H. Zimmerman
- 1872 – William H. Marshall
- 1873 – William H. Douty
- 1874-75 – Charles P. Helfenstein
- 1876 – J. H. Zimmerman
- 1877 – R. B. Douty
- 1878-80 – Samuel E. Martin
- 1881 – J. A. Weaver
- 1882-83 – Joseph Henninger
- 1884-86 – J. H. Zimmerman
- 1887 – Mahlon Koch
- 1888 – John J. W. Schwartz
- 1889 – J. A. Weaver
- 1890 – Galen F. Holshue
- 1891 – Henry Reese
The Borough Building
The Borough Building on Lincoln street was erected in 1878-79 under the supervision of a building committee composed of Chief Burgess Samuel E. Martin and Councilmen Simon Hoffman, Isaac Raup, W. B. Bird, and George Robertson. It is a substantial stone building, two stories high, with lock-up in the basement, council chamber on the first floor, and apartments for the warden and his family on the second floor. The erection of this building was formally decided upon by the borough council, July 20, 1878, but it was not until the 4th of August, 1879, that the committee on public property was instructed to finish the second story. John Simmonds has filled the position of warden for some years.
The Fire Department
The Fire Department, under its present organization, was established by ordinance of the borough council, October 7, 1880. The individual companies retain their respective rights and privileges, but for the purpose of harmonious and united action they are governed by a board of representatives, composed of three members elected from each company. This board elects an executive officer and two assistants, with the approval of the borough council, the present officers being Joseph B. Women chief of the fire department; Samuel Snyder, first assistant, and Charles Schlegel, second assistant. The volunteer department was originally organized some years previously, with Wesley Van Gasken as chief engineer.
At present (1890) it is composed of the following organizations:
- Lincoln Hose Company – corner of Lincoln and Liberty
- Independence Fire Association – instituted and incorporated in 1873, corner of Lincoln and Grant
- Rescue Fire Engine and Hose Company – instituted, March 10, 1873. incorporated, Januarv 10,. 1871, corner of Liberty and Lincoln
- Friendship Fire Engine and Hose Company – instituted, July 1. 1873, incorporated. November 6, 1873, corner of Pearl and Spurzheim
- West End Fire Company, organized – November 1. 1888, incorporated, January 7, 1889
The Police System
The Police System of the borough was, until a few years since, of the voluntary character. Policemen were appointed for each ward, furnished with weapons and the insignia of civil authority, and empowered to make arrests, but received no compensation except for special services. With the growth of the town this was found inadequate for the preservation of public order, and on the 2nd of April, 1889, the paid police system was established by ordinance of council. The force consists of a chief and four officers: the chief of police in 1889 was J. A. Weaver, who was succeeded in 1890 by William Reppard, the present incumbent.