A Few Minutes with the Mayor

This October 19th, Jacksonville celebrates its official 150th birthday. The Sesquicentennial Jubilee held September 17-25th was a prelude to Jacksonville’s actual date of incorporation. The act to incorporate the town of Jacksonville was passed by the House of Representatives of the State of Oregon on October 12, 1860 and by the Senate on October 15, 1860. John Whiteaker, Governor of the State of Oregon, approved and signed the act on the 19th day of October, 1860, our observed birthday.

William Hoffman, then County Clerk of Jackson County, Oregon, gave notice of the Act of Incorporation calling for an election to be held at the County Clerk’s office on Wednesday, November 28, 1860. Qualified electors of the Town of Jacksonville could vote for or against the Act of the Legislature incorporating the Town of Jacksonville. Following the vote, “it appeared that 134 votes had been cast, of which 107 had been cast “For Incorporation,” and 27 votes had been cast “Against Incorporation.”

Following the vote for incorporation, another vote was set for the 11th day of December, 1860, “for the purpose of electing 5 Trustees, 1 Recorder, 1 Treasurer, 1 Marshall, and 1 Street Commissioner; to serve as officers of the Town of Jacksonville.” There were 190 votes cast and the officers elected were: William Hoffman, Benjamin F. Davis, J.A. Brunner, John S. Love, Joseph Burpee, Trustees; Henry Klippel, Recorder; G.M. Banks, Marshall; J.T. Glenn, Treasurer; C.C. Beekman, Street Commissioner. The officers-elect met at the County Clerk’s office on the 17th day of December, 1860, and were sworn into office. William Hoffman was elected President of the Board of Trustees becoming the first Mayor of Jacksonville. One can see a photograph of William Hoffman, Jacksonville’s first Mayor, with a quick visit to Old City Hall.

The issues facing these men were numerous. It is interesting to note that upon incorporation of the Town of Jacksonville, a provision was also made for a Marshall and a Street Commissioner. Based on the early stories, one can understand the need for a Marshall – but a Street Commissioner?

Perusing these names, it quickly becomes apparent that the first leaders of Jacksonville were business people. They were men of vision dedicated to the growth and prosperity of the Town of Jacksonville. Happy Birthday Jacksonville, we look forward to the next 150 years.

For the history buffs, William Hoffman served two terms as President, 1861 & 1862. He was followed by Henry Klippel, 1863; Max Muller, 1864; James R. Wade, 1865 & 1866; D. Linn, 1867 & 1868; Alex H. Martin, 1869, David Linn, 1870; Jas. A. Wilson, 1871; Newman Fisher, 1872; John Bilger, 1873; C.C. Beekman, 1874 & 1875; Newman Fisher, 1876; David Linn, 1877 & 1878; N. Langell, 1879; and T.G. Reames, 1880 – 1882.