Ventura
County
Biographies
MRS. ELLEN F. DRUMGOLD
Among the beautiful homes in the
Ojai valley is that owned by Mrs. E. F. Drumgold, who resides on the Udell
tract. She is a daughter of Marshall
Prince and Sarah N. (Hopkins) Martin and in the maternal line is a direct
descendant of Stephen Hopkins, who was Governor of Rhode Island from 1755 to
1768. As a member of Congress in 1776 he
signed the Declaration of Independence.
He was a lifelong resident of Rhode Island and wrote a “History of the
Planting and Growth of Providence.” Of
the five children born to Marshall Prince and Sarah N. (Hopkins) Martin, three
are now living: George, a resident of
Watsonville, California; Magnin, whose home is in the
state of Washington; and Ellen F., the widow of J. H. Drumgold.
Mr. Drumgold was born in Port
Chester, New York, the son of a foundryman, and
acquired his education in the public schools of that locality. As a clerk he entered commercial circles and
for a number of years was employed in that capacity in the east. About the year 1894 he traveled westward to
California, locating in San Francisco, where he became a jeweler and a dealer
in optical goods. He maintained a first
class establishment, carrying stock of high grade, and gave to his patron’s
good values for the amounts expended.
His trade steadily increased and he became one of the leading merchants
in his line in San Francisco. Having
acquired a substantial competence, Mr. Drumgold retired from business at the
end of twenty years and came to the Ojai valley to make his permanent
home. In 1914 he purchased a tract of
land on the heights overlooking the beautiful valley and here built a fine
home. When he acquired the land it was
covered with rocks, trees and brush but he readily recognized the possibilities
of the site and in the course of time his judgment was vindicated, for his was
considered one of the most attractive and desirable residences in the entire
valley. He was proud of his home and
derived much pleasure from its beautification.
He was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, passing away in 1918,
four years after locating here, but had already become recognized as a citizen
of worth to the community. Of unassuming
manner, he was nevertheless a man of forceful character, and his honesty,
sincerity and kindliness established him high in public esteem. After her husband’s death Mrs. Drumgold
continued the improvement of the property, planting many trees and shrubs, and
in their arrangement expressing her artistic taste. Recently she moved to a new and beautiful
home on a desirable site in the Udell tract near Ojai and continues her
interest in civic affairs, lending the weight of her support to all public
projects of worth. Tactful, gracious and
considerate of others, she readily wins friends and is known and esteemed in
this part of the valley.
Transcribed by
V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: California of the South
Vol. IV, by John Steven McGroarty, Pages 365-366, Clarke Publ.,
Chicago, Los Angeles, Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2012 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
GOLDEN
NUGGET'S VENTURA
BIOGRAPHIES