MRS. ELISE RENAUD
Bio-Sawyers
SURNAMES: Pellier, Octeau, Casalegno, Claverie, Caillou,
A worthy representative of an old and interesting family is found in
Elise Renaud, the widow of Leon Renaud, a Frenchman who came to
California in the early '80s, and the daughter of that distinguished
pioneer, Pierre Pellier. Elise Pellier was born in . Elise
Pellier was born in Santa Clara County on her father's ranch ,
known as the Yerba Buena ranch, east of Evergreen in the
foothills. The father was born in SAnta Pauliet, France,
was reared and schooled there, and as he grew up, worked hard on his
father's place. After he had served seven years in the army of
France, he and his brother, Louis, decided to come to America, an din
1849 they left their native land and journeyed, by way of the Horn, to
america, arriving in San Francisco six months later. He made
three trips to california before h married Miss Henrietta E. Octeau,
bringing her to California about thirty years ago, one trip to
California being made via the Isthmus of Panama. Locating in
Santa Clara County, he established his home on the 315 acre Yerba Buena
ranch, east of Evergreen. The last time that Pierre Pellier came
to America he brought with him cuttings and seeds of many varieties of
fruits from his native country, among others the first French prune
trees set out in the Santa Clara Valley. There were also wine and
fancy table grapes; and in 1855 the brothers engaged in the
nursery business at San Jose. In 1880, Pierre Pellier,
accompanied by his two daughters, Helene and Elise, returned to France
for a visit, and in 1895 he died at Evergreen, on the home place, where
his wife had passed away fifteen years before. Pierre Pellier and
his wife were the parents of five children. Louis died at the age
of sixteen;
Henrietta is the wife of Thomas
Casalegno; Helene is deceased; Elise is Mr. Renaud; Josephine is
Mr. Mitchell Casalegno, the mother of six children, and the family
reside at Morgan Hill.
Elise began her education in the Evergreen schools, finishing at the
convent of Notre Dame in San Jose, and on June 2, 1883, she was united
in marriage with Leon Renaud, a native of France, born near La
Valle. Mr. Renaud came to California in 1882, locating in the
Santa Clara Valley on a ranch of eighty-seven acres near the Pellier
home. This tract of land was in its virgin state and he set to
work to clear it of the thick undergrowth and planted one-half of it to
vineyard, later setting out an orchard of thirty-five acres to
apricots. Mr. and Mrs. Renaud were the parents of eight children;
Theophile L., rancher in Evergreen; Virginia is the wife of John
Claverie, a baker, and they reside in San Jose; Clemintine married
Caillou, a baker, of San Jose; Leon T. assists his mother on the ranch;
Henrietta is a graduate nurse of the O'Connor Sanitarium; Victoria,
Martin and Adelaide, the latter a graduate of San Joe high school and
Heald's Business College. Mr. Renaud was a member of the Franco-Italian
lodge of the Odd Fellows of san Jose . He was accidentally killed
by being thrown from a wagon and passed away September 16, 1900.
In 1906 Mrs. Renaud built a commodious residence upon her ranch of
seventy-eight years, which is devote to vineyard, prunes and
apricots. The place has a most beautiful situation, overlooking
the Santa Clara Valley; it lies high and is above the frost belt; is
very productive, and is especially adapted for early vegetables.
Mrs. Renaud's home life is ideal; she is loved by her family and
respected by all who know her.