Francis M. Nickell

Francis M. Nickell (1843–1913) was a contractor, a builder and a member of the Los Angeles City Council in the 1890s.

Francis M. Nickell
Dromgold in 1896
Member of the Los Angeles City Council from the 1st ward
In office December 5, 1890 – December 12, 1894
Preceded by	H. V. Van Dusen
Succeeded by	George W. Stockwell
In office December 16, 1896 – December 15, 1898
Preceded by	George W. Stockwell
Succeeded by	William H. Pierce
Personal details
Born	Reuben Wiger Dromgold 1843 Kentucky, US
Died	July 2, 1913(1913-07-02) (aged 69–70) Los Angeles, California, US
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Bettie C. Nickell
Children	5

Biography

Nickell was born about June 1843 in Kentucky, then moved to Kansas and finally to Los Angeles in 1883. He lived in Santa Monica for three years but finally moved to 228 South Fremont Avenue in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles Times reported in his obituary that "he had a finger in the laying of the present metropolis and was engaged upon many of the notable structures" of the early city. He was in business at 725 West Third Street and was president of the Wilshire Boulevard Improvement Association and a member of Sampson Lodge, Knights of Pythias, and the East Gate Masonic Lodge.^[1]

He died on July 2, 1913, leaving a widow (Bettie C. Nickell) and five children—Mrs. J.K. Hutsell, Mrs. Philo Coonradt, Mrs. A.J. Renner, G. H. Nickell and H.B. Nickell.^[1][2]

City Council

Nickell was elected in the 1st Ward of the Los Angeles City Council for two two-year terms between 1890 and 1894 and again between 1896 and 1898.^[3] He was chairman of the committee that oversaw the construction of the Los Angeles outfall sewer into the Pacific Ocean and was also "instrumental in establishing Eastlake Park," the present Lincoln Park.^[1] Nickell was a Democrat.^[4]

Notes and references

1. "City Builder Quietly Taken," July 2, 1913, page II-6
2. A Francis M. Nickell served in the Kentucky 24th Infantry Regiment of the Union Army during the American Civil War.
3. Chronological Record of Los Angeles City Officials 1850–1938. Municipal Reference Library, March 1938, reprinted 1946.
4. "Ward Conventions," Los Angeles Times, October 27, 1892, page 10

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Preceded by H. V. Van Dusen	Los Angeles City Council 1st Ward 1890–94, 1896–98	Succeeded by George W. Stockwell and William Henry Pierce