New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1917-08-25
P. LAURENT RENOUDET.

evening, the news rapidly spfedH
that Hon. P. L. Renoudet had
suddenly died at eight o'clock, at
his home in Iberia Street.
The old tenet "a man is never a
prophet in his home' was never
more emphatically gainsaid than
by the life work and accomplish
ments Of Mr.. Renoudet. Born
March 18th. 1S4e, near the banks
of Bayou Teche and within the
corporate limits Of the present
Village of Loreauville, the son of
the scholarly French gentleman,
Pierre Renoudet and of Virginie
Dutel, his wife; the decedant was
reared in this Parish and received
his education under the tutorship
of his brilliant father. Save for
a few years, as young man serv-
ing a clerkship in a cotton house
in New Orleans. his entire life was
spent in the Parish Of his birth ;
and from 1871 as young lawyer
when he formed partnership
with his former preceptor, Judge
Jos. A. Breaux, dates the activi-
ties Of this firm, of which he was
the business, director, and which
resulted not only in a fortune for
the members Of this partnership
(which death only could dissolve) /,
but also in the development Of
many business enterprises which
have all been factors in the COM
mercial development of this COM
munity.
Chief among these ventures and
the one which stand as a monu-
ment to Mr.. Renoudet's business
sagacitv and uprightness, is the
New Iberia Nation Bank, that
staunch institution Of which he
had been the directing manager
from the date of it's incorporation
in 1887. to that of his death. and
which, under his wise and careful
management. was advanced from
the humble post of a Small coun-
try bank to that Of second on the
roll Of honor among all national
banks of the United States. The
work necessary to accomplish this
would have taxed the strength Of
most men. not SO with Mr.. Rem
oudet, indefatigable, he sought
other avenues for his stored en-
ergies and some years ago, he, as
sociated with the late Victor Au-
coin and Judge Breaux, began
the manufacture Of cisterns, sash,
doors and blinds; and although
Mr.. Aucoin, the practical lumber
man Of the firm soon succumbed,
the concern. under the manage
ment of Mr.. Renoudet, continued to
expand until it evolved into the
Iberia Cypress Co., Chg JIM
later disposed Of to the Down
man interest: and when the new
owners. for economic reasons, dis
mantled and removed this plant
to other parts, this important IN
dustriaI enterprise was kept alive
by the organization of the P. L..
Renoudet Lumber Co.; an active
establishment giving employment
to more men than any concern In
the Parish. Another child Of his
industry, is that splendid estab-
lishment of Renoudet & Dietlein,
probably the largest wholesale
grocery in South Louisiana. out
side of New Orleans, and also
furnishing a livelihood to scores
of employees.
Excelling as a lawyer, as a
banker, as manufacturer and as
a merchant. so also as a family
man>was he noted. A loving and
devoted husband and father, he
provided all comforts for his loved
ones, and saw to it that his chill
dren received the best education
that they might be properly
equipped for their life's work. In
tensely religious, he began each
days work by atten ling the Holy
Sacrafice Of the Mass at st. Pet
er's Catholic church Of which he
had been a life long member.
Mr.. Renoudet was twice mar
ried, his first wife, who before
her marriage was Miss Cecile Ds,-
perier. daughter of the late DR..
Alfred .Duperier, was the mother
of the following children, viz
Alfred, Anthony, Joseph, Marie,
wife of Fritz Dietlein and MAJ
thilde wife Of LA. Valet; another
son. Laurent, proceeded his father
to the grave some years ago. His
second wife. formerly Miss LII
ella Eo}co Jauuhfor &c Ind ua