R.W. Dromgold
| Reuben Wiger Dromgold | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Born | c.1856 Shirleysburg, Pennsylvania |
| Died | November 7, 1918 Los Angeles, California |
| Cause of death | Heart failure |
| Resting place | Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles |
| Known for | Los Angeles city councilman, securing construction of the Second Street Bridge |
| Spouse(s) | Nellie M. Squire |
| Children | One son, George Dromgold |
R.W. Dromgold (ca. 1856 – November 7, 1918), was a Los Angeles, California, businessman who served on the city council there in the early 20th Century. His chief accomplishment was securing the erection of the Second Street Bridge across the Los Angeles River, which was inaugurated by President William Howard Taft in 1909.
Reuben Wiger Dromgold was born in "Sharleyburg," Pennsylvania, around 1856 and spent his early years on his mother's farm. He moved to Los Angeles in the 1880s and was married in 1890 to Nellie M. Squire. They had one son, George C. The family lived on North Workman Street but moved in 1892 to 447 Temple Street.
Dromgold taught school in his home town and then moved to Versailles, Missouri, where he worked with his brother as a wagon-maker for two years. After moving to Los Angeles, he formed a house- and sign-painting business partnership in June 1892 with Paul H. Fitzgerald under the name Star Sign Company.
In November 1899, he was physically assaulted by two other sign painters, Albert M. Imelli and Otto Wieben, on the street in front of Dromgold's business in the Byrne Block; a crowd gathered and separated the men, a policeman was called, the two assailants were arrested and they were fined $15 each in court. It was noted that Dromgold and Imelli had previously been partners "but they separated some time ago, and the feeling between them is not cordial."
In 1890, Dromgold supported a plan to build a cable car line on Second Street (Angel's Flight) to rise up Bunker Hill, pledging $80 to the project at a mass meeting of the Crown Hills Improvement Society in Ellis College. He was one of the original members of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and of the Merchants and Manufacturers Association.
As president of the East Side Improvement Association, he "fathered" a bridge and viaduct plan for connecting Pasadena and Downey avenues and Buena Vista Street (the present North Broadway). At that time he was living at 127 North Gates Street. It was noted in 1906 that he had "large property interests."
Dromgold was a successful candidate for the City Council in the First Ward in 1906, nominated by the Democratic Party and the Non-Partisan organization. He was elected and served a three-year term before a new city charter put an end to the ward election system.
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