William S. Stokley

William Strumberg Stokley (April 25, 1823 – February 21, 1902) was an American politician who served on the Philadelphia City Council (both in its upper and lower chambers) and as the 72nd Mayor of Philadelphia from 1872 to 1881.

Biography Stokley was born on April 25, 1823, in Philadelphia. His father died when he was young, leaving him and his mother to care for his younger brother and sister.

Early career Stokley built a confectionery business and joined the Franklin Hose Company, a volunteer fire company. As the treasurer and representative to the city's Fire Association, he became exposed to the politics of Philadelphia.

Philadelphia City Council (1860–1872) In 1860, he won a seat on the Common Council) the lower chamber of the Philadelphia City Council) representing the Ninth Ward. In 1865, he became the president of the Common Council. During his time as a city councilor, Stokley was not a major player in the city's Republican Party, which was dominated at the time by William B. Mann (the district attorney of Philadelphia).

In 1867, he won a seat on the Select Council (the upper chamber of the city council) and became its president in 1868. On the council, he passed reforms that abolished volunteer fire companies and established a professional city fire department. He also passed an ordinance to shift control of the Philadelphia Gas Works to a city department from the local “gas trust”. However,

Philadelphia City Hall As the president of the Select Council, Stokey became involved in the construction of a new city hall. At the time, there was a considerable dispute as to whether the new building should be constructed at Penn Square, which was in Stokley’s ward or in Washington Square near Independence Hall, which was closer to the commercial center of Philadelphia. In addition, the construction of the building would generate significant government expenditures, which many local businessmen sought to share in.

The contracts for the construction of City Hall had run over $24 million, more than double the original $10 million estimate. On one of the latest contracts, $5.3 million was handed out with no bidding for the marble used in construction. The construction company would purchase the marble from a quarry owned by allies of Stokley. The mayor reportedly acquired a new brownstone home, courtesy of the building contractors.

Stokley was reelected to two more terms as mayor, defeating Alexander McClure in 1874 and Joseph L. Caven in 1877. In 1881, some Republicans, including Rudolph Blankenburg, who wanted to see a change from what they viewed as a corrupt administration, pushed the city's Committee of One Hundred to withdraw its endorsement of Stokley in favor of Democrat Samuel G. King who defeated Stokley in that election.

Death

Stokley died on February 21, 1902, and was interred at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia.