Frank Xavier RENAUD "THE GREAT RENO"

Born

29 July 1890 , Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

Died

28 January 1965 , Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

Parents & Family of Frank Xavier RENAUD "THE GREAT RENO"

Explore parents, grandparents, spouses, children, and the family connections surrounding Frank Xavier RENAUD "THE GREAT RENO".

Parents

Frank Xavier (François) RENAUD Sophie Josephine LAMOTHE

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Born: 29 July 1890 in Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

Father: Frank Xavier (François) RENAUD

Mother: Sophie Josephine LAMOTHE

Paternal grandparents: Jean Baptiste RENAUD dit LOCAS , Angeline (Angel) THIBAULT (THIBEAU)

Maternal grandparents: Eugene Guillaume LAMOTHE , Sophie LUSIGNAN

Spouse(s)/Partner(s) and Child(ren):

Frank Xavier married Eva D GENDRON 2 February 1914 in Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA . The couple had (at least) 8 children.
Eva D GENDRON was born March 1894 in Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA . Eva D was the child of Elzear GENDRON and Rosanna DEMERS.

Frank Xavier RENAUD "THE GREAT RENO" died 28 January 1965 in Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA .

photo/ portrait (above) from ancestry.com

Details of the family tree of Frank appear below.

WORK & OCCUPATION

Occupation

Recorded occupation: famous acrobat - escape artist

Spouse & Children of Frank Xavier RENAUD "THE GREAT RENO"

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Frank Xavier RENAUD "THE GREAT RENO" married

Eva D GENDRON
Marriage date: 2 February 1914
Marriage place: Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
Source: familysearch.org (Mormon Genealogy Records)
Unofficial Guide to FamilySearch.org: How to Find Your Family History on the World's Largest Free Genealogy Website

Eva D GENDRON was the child of Elzear GENDRON and Rosanna DEMERS

Marriage notes:

Groom's name: Frank Renaud

Groom's age: 23 years

Groom's estimated birth year: 1891

Groom's birthplace: Southbridge, ,

Bride's name: Eva Jandron

Bride's age: 19 years

Bride's estimated birth year: 1895

Bride's birthplace: Southbridge, ,

Marriage date (original): 2 Feb 1914

Marriage date: 02 Feb 1914

Marriage place: Southbridge, , Massachusetts

Groom's father's name: Frank Renaud

Groom's mother's name: Sophie Lamothe

Father of bride's name: Elzear Jandron

Mother of bride's name: Rosanna Demers

Film number: 2409948

Digital GS number: 4329373

Image number: 851

Number of images: 1

Reference number: p 515 no 9

Marriage registration place: Southbridge, , Massachusetts

Marriage registration year: 1914

Collection: Massachusetts Marriage Records, 1842-1915

Children of Frank Xavier RENAUD "THE GREAT RENO" and Eva D GENDRON

Eva RENAUD

Born: 26 May 1916, Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
Died: ,

Joseph Frank Elzear RENAUD

Born: 8 April 1918, Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
Died: 3 March 1992, Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

Married: Evelyn V BARTLETT 1939

Irene RENAUD

Born: 29 October 1919, Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
Died: 24 March 2006, Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

George Armand RENAUD

Born: 31 July 1922, Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
Died: 10 December 1986, Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

Married: Fedora HUFAULT 1946

Lilly Marie Anne RENAUD

Born: 12 April 1927, Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
Died: abt. 1930,

Unknown RENAUD

Born: 17 February 1929, Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
Died: 17 February 1929, Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA

Living

Born: , Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA (Globe) (Lensdale) (Saundersdale) (Shuttleville)
Died: ,

Leo Uldege RENAUD

Born: 15 December 1932, Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
Died: 11 June 2007, Biloxi, Harrison, Mississippi, USA

Married: Marguerite Laura NICOVICH 6 January 1954

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Postcards and Memories of Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA (Globe) (Lensdale) (Saundersdale) (Shuttleville)

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1890 Birth

Frank Renard b. July 29, 1890 in Southbridge, Massachusetts

Source / record details
Massachusetts Vital Records, 1841–1925
Researching Your Colonial New England Ancestors

1891 - The zipper is invented (Whitcomb L. Judson, United States)

The motion picture camera is invented (Thomas Alva Edison, William K.L. Dickson, United States)

First Perforated Toilet Paper Roll is Patented

1893 - Grover Cleveland becomes President of the United States

1897 - Aspirin is invented (Felix Hoffmann (Bayer), Germany)

1897 - William McKinley becomes President of the United States

1898 - April 25 – Spanish-American War: The United States declares war on Spain

1898 - December 10 – The Treaty of Paris is signed, ending the Spanish-American War.

1900 Southbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts

Name: Francois X Reneau
titles:
Residence: Southbridge town (south of river but north of South St. & Main St.), Worcester, Massachusetts
Birth Date: Jul 1890
birthPlace: Massachusetts
relationship to head-of-household: Son
spouse Name:
spouse titles:
spouse birth Place:
father Name: Francois X Reneau
father titles:
father birthPlace: Massachusetts
mother Name: Sophie Reneau
mother titles:
mother birthPlace: Massachusetts
race or color (expanded): White
head-of-household Name: Francois X Reneau
Gender: Male
Marital Status: Single
years Married:
estimated marriage year:
mother how many children:
number living children:
Immigration Year:
enumeration District: 1678
Sheet Number and Letter: 24A
Household ID: 427
reference number: 34
gsu Film Number: 1240694
Image Number: 00283
Household Gender Age
parent Francois X Reneau M
parent Sophie Reneau F
Francois X Reneau M
George E Reneau M

Source / record details
1900 Census Ancestry (U.S.)
Exploring the U.S. Census: Your Guide to America’s Data

1901 - King Camp Gillette and William Emery Nickerson invented the world's first disposable razor blade in 1901. (Boston, Massachusetts, USA)

1901 - William McKinley, the 25th president of the United States, was shot on the grounds of the Pan-American Exposition in the Temple of Music in Buffalo, New York, on September 6, 1901, six months into his second term. He was shaking hands with the public when an anarchist, Leon Czolgosz, shot him twice in the abdomen. Theodore Roosevelt becomes President of the United States.

1902 - July 17 - Willis Haviland Carrier designed the first modern air-conditioning system. (Buffalo, New York, USA)

1903 - The first engine-powered airplane is invented (Wilbur & Orville Wright, United States)

1904 - June 28 - U.S. begins construction of Panama Canal.

1906 - August 22 – The first Victor Victrola, a phonographic record player, was manufactured, revolutionizing the way people listened to music at home.

In 1906, Reginald Fessenden made the first AM radio broadcast on December 24th. This event marked a significant advancement in radio technology, paving the way for the modern broadcasting industry.

1907-1908 - The electric washing machine is invented (Alva J. Fisher, United States)

1908 - First Model-T car is produced by Henry Ford (United States)

1909 - William Howard Taft becomes President of the United States

1910 Southbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts

Frank A. Renaud living on Mill St. in Southbridge, Massachusetts at age 49, living with wife Sophia J. age 50, son Frank Jr. age 19, son George E. age 18, daughter Blanche A. age 7, daughter May E. age 6.

Source / record details
1910 Census Ancestry (U.S.)
Exploring the U.S. Census: Your Guide to America’s Data

July 4, 1910 jump into the Quinebaug River

River Street Bridge, Southbridge, Massachusetts
(see article)

1912 - April 15 - Titanic sinks in the North Atlantic

1913 - The assembly line is invented (Henry Ford, United States)

The bra is invented (Mary Phelps Jacob, United States)

1913 - Woodrow Wilson becomes President of the United States

1913 - October 31 – The Lincoln Highway, the first automobile road across the United States, is dedicated

1914 Marriage / Partner
Frank Xavier RENAUD "THE GREAT RENO" and Eva D GENDRON 2 February 1914, Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA (Globe) (Lensdale) (Saundersdale) (Shuttleville)

He was 23 years old.

Boston Journal. January 8, 1914.

1915 - January 25 - First United States coast-to-coast long-distance telephone call

1916 Birth of Child
Eva RENAUD was born 26 May 1916, Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA (Globe) (Lensdale) (Saundersdale) (Shuttleville)

Frank Xavier was 25 years old.

U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
A World Undone: The Story of the Great War, 1914 to 1918

1917 - March 2 – The enactment of the Jones Act grants Puerto Ricans United States citizenship.

1917 - April 6 – WWI: The United States declares war on Germany

1918 - March 19 – The United States Congress establishes time zones and approves daylight saving time

1918 Birth of Child
Joseph Frank Elzear RENAUD was born 8 April 1918, Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA (Globe) (Lensdale) (Saundersdale) (Shuttleville)

Frank Xavier was 27 years old.

1919 - June 4 – Women's rights: The United States Congress approves the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which would guarantee suffrage to women, and sends it to the U.S. states for ratification

1919 Birth of Child
Irene RENAUD was born 29 October 1919, Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA (Globe) (Lensdale) (Saundersdale) (Shuttleville)

Frank Xavier was 29 years old.

1920 - January 17 - Prohibition goes into effect on January 17, 1920, under the provisions of the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution

1921 - Warren G. Harding becomes President of the United States

1921 - Charles Strite of Minnesota patents the pop-up toaster.

1922 Birth of Child
George Armand RENAUD was born 31 July 1922, Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA (Globe) (Lensdale) (Saundersdale) (Shuttleville)

Frank Xavier was 32 years old.

1923 to 1927 - Television is invented (Vladimir Kosma Zworykin (Russia), Philo Taylor Farnsworth (United States))

1923 - Calvin Coolidge becomes President of the United States

1927 - The aerosol can is invented (Erik Rotheim, Norway)

1927 - April 7 – Bell Telephone Co. transmits an image of Herbert Hoover (then the Secretary of Commerce), which becomes the first successful long distance demonstration of television

1927 Birth of Child
Lilly Marie Anne RENAUD was born 12 April 1927, Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA (Globe) (Lensdale) (Saundersdale) (Shuttleville)

Frank Xavier was 36 years old.

1928 - Sliced bread (bread slicing machine) is invented by Otto Frederick Rohwedder (United States)

1929 Birth of Child
Unknown RENAUD was born 17 February 1929, Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA (Globe) (Lensdale) (Saundersdale) (Shuttleville)

Frank Xavier was 38 years old.

1929 - Herbert Hoover becomes President of the United States

1929 - October 29 - Black Tuesday - Stock market crash - The Great Depression Begins - It lasted until 1941 (WW2)

1930 Southbridge, Massachusetts

Name: Frank X Renand
[Frank X Renaud]
Birth Year: abt 1891
Gender: Male
Race: White
BirthPlace: Massachusetts
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1930: Southbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts
Map of Home: View Map
Street address: Central Street
House Number in Cities or Towns: 79
Dwelling Number: 8
Family Number: 12
Home Owned or Rented: Rented
Home Value: 22
Radio Set: Yes
Lives on Farm: No
Age at First MarriAge: 24
Attended School: No
Able to Read and Write: Yes
Father's BirthPlace: Massachusetts
Mother's BirthPlace: Connecticut
Able to Speak English: Yes
Occupation: Radio Repairman
Industry: Department Store
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker
Employment: Yes
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Frank X Renand 39
Eva D Renand 36
Frank E Renand 11
Irene I Renand 10
George A Renand 8

Source / record details
1930 Census Ancestry (U.S.)
Exploring the U.S. Census: Your Guide to America’s Data

1930 - Scotch tape is invented (Richard Drew (3M), United States)

In 1930, on February 18, Pluto was discovered by astronomer Clyde Tombaugh at the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, marking a significant milestone in the study of our solar system.

1931 - The paper towel is invented (Arthur Scott, United States)

1931 - March 3 – The Star-Spangled Banner is adopted as the United States National anthem.

1932 Birth of Child
Leo Uldege RENAUD was born 15 December 1932, Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA (Globe) (Lensdale) (Saundersdale) (Shuttleville)

Frank Xavier was 42 years old.

1933 - Franklin D. Roosevelt becomes President of the United States

1933 - December 5 – The 21st Amendment to the United States Constitution is passed, repealing Prohibition

1934 - The metal beverage can is invented (American Can Co., United States)

1935 - The snowmobile was invented by Joseph Bombardier (Quebec, Canada)

1935 - August 14 – United States President Franklin Roosevelt signs the Social Security Act into law

1938 - The ballpoint pen is invented (Lazlo Biro, Hungary)

1938-1944 - Sunscreen is invented (Franz Greiter, Switzerland and Benjamin Green, United States)

1938 - October 27 - Du Pont announces a name for its new synthetic yarn: nylon.

1940 Southbridge, Massachusetts

Name: Frank Renaud
Respondent: Yes
Age: 49
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1891
Gender: Male
Race: White
BirthPlace: Massachusetts
Marital Status: Married
Relation to Head of House: Head
Home in 1940: Southbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts
Map of Home in 1940: View Map
Street: Paige Hill
House Number: 80
Farm: No
Inferred Residence in 1935: Southbridge, Worcester, Massachusetts
Residence in 1935: Same House
Sheet Number: 11B
Number of Household in Order of Visitation: 203
Occupation: Caretaker
Industry: Municipal Dunep
House Owned or Rented: Rented
Value of Home or Monthly Rental if Rented: 8
Attended School or College: No
Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 8th grade
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census: 0
Class of Worker: Wage or salary worker in private work
Weeks Worked in 1939: 52
Income: 250
Income Other Sources: No
Neighbors: View others on page
Household Members:
Name Age
Frank Renaud 49
Eva Renaud 46
Irene Renaud 20
Albert Renaud 9
Leo

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Source / record details
1940 Census Ancestry (U.S.)
Exploring the U.S. Census: Your Guide to America’s Data

1940 - April - 1st electron microscope demonstrated (RCA), Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

1941 - December 8 - (the day after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor) United States declares war on Japan (WW2)

FamilySearch.org. U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1947.
The Draft

1944 - D-Day, which occurred on June 6, 1944, was a pivotal World War II operation where Allied forces launched a massive invasion on the beaches of Normandy, France. Known as Operation Overlord, it involved over 156,000 troops from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and other Allied nations. The operation aimed to liberate Western Europe from Nazi German control. The landings marked the beginning of the end for Nazi Germany, leading to the eventual Allied victory in Europe.

1945 - The atomic bomb is invented (J. Robert Oppenheimer, et al., United States)

The microwave oven was invented accidentally in 1945 by Percy Spencer, a Raytheon engineer. While testing a magnetron, he noticed microwaves melted a candy bar in his pocket. Experimenting further, he discovered microwaves could cook food quickly. Raytheon patented the process, and by 1947, they built the first commercial microwave oven, called the 'Radarange.' Initially used in commercial settings, microwaves becomes affordable for home use by the 1960s and 1970s, revolutionizing cooking.

1945 - Harry S. Truman becomes President of the United States

1945 - On September 2, 1945, World War II officially ended with the formal surrender of Japan. The surrender ceremony took place aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay, where Japanese officials signed the Instrument of Surrender in the presence of Allied representatives, including General Douglas MacArthur and Admiral Chester Nimitz.

1948 - Velcro is invented (George de Mestral, Switzerland)

1950 - June 25 - Korean War begins when North Korean forces invade South Korea.

1953 - Dwight D. Eisenhower becomes President of the United States

1953 - On July 27, 1953, the Korean War ended with the signing of an armistice agreement at Panmunjom. This ceasefire halted the conflict between North Korea, supported by China and the Soviet Union, and South Korea, backed by United Nations forces primarily from the United States. The agreement established the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) near the 38th parallel, effectively maintaining the pre-war boundary and creating a buffer zone between the two Koreas.

1961 - John F. Kennedy becomes President of the United States

1961 - Vietnam War officially begins with 900 military advisors landing in Saigon.

1962 - The Cuban Missile Crisis was a tense 13-day standoff in October 1962 between the United States and the Soviet Union over the installation of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles from the U.S. coast. The crisis is considered the closest the Cold War came to escalating into a full-scale nuclear war. It began when American spy planes discovered the missiles, leading to a U.S. naval blockade of Cuba and intense negotiations. The crisis ended when Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev agreed to remove the missiles in exchange for the U.S. promising not to invade Cuba and secretly agreeing to remove American missiles from Turkey.

1963 - I Have a Dream Speech - Martin Luther King's Address at March on Washington August 28, 1963.

In 1963, on November 22, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, while riding in a motorcade through Dealey Plaza. The assassination shocked the nation and the world, leading to widespread mourning and a period of intense national introspection. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as the 36th President of the United States shortly after Kennedy's death. The assassination sparked numerous conspiracy theories and investigations, with the Warren Commission ultimately concluding that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in the assassination. Kennedy's death had a profound impact on American politics and society, marking the end of an era often referred to as 'Camelot.'

Death

Name: Francois Renaud X
Death Date: 1965
Death Place: Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA
Volume Number: 96
Page Number: 195
Index Volume Number: 132/ 133
Reference Number: F63.M363 v.132/ 133

Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, Death Index, 1901-1980 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013.
Original data: Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics. Massachusetts Vital Records Index to Deaths [1916–1970]. Volumes 66–145. Facsimile edition. Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Massachusetts.

Source / record details
ancestry.com

Frank Xavier RENAUD "THE GREAT RENO" - Grave of Frank X. Renaud Jr. St. Georges Cemetery, Southbrige, MA.

Grave of Frank X. Renaud Jr. St. George's Cemetery, Southbrige, MA.

St. George’s Cemetery
Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA (Globe) (Lensdale) (Saundersdale) (Shuttleville)

Photo taken by us

Frank Xavier RENAUD "THE GREAT RENO" - Grave of Frank X. Renaud, Jr. - The Great Reno - St. George Cemetery, Paige Hill, Southbridge, MA

Grave of Frank X. Renaud, Jr. - "The Great Reno" - St. George Cemetery, Paige Hill, Southbridge, MA

St. George’s Cemetery
Southbridge, Massachusetts, USA (Globe) (Lensdale) (Saundersdale) (Shuttleville)

Photo taken by us

Obituary

Southbridge Man Gained Fame as Escape Artist

SOUTHBRIDGE - Francois X. Renaud, Jr., 74, of 986 West Main St., who gained nationwide fame in the early 1900's as a professional escape artist, died yesterday at Harrington Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Renaud was known professionally as 'The Great Reno' and performed escape tricks outdoors and in theaters from coast to coast. He was a friend of the late Harry Houdini, world-renown escape artist and later worked with Houdini's troupe.

He became an escape artist at the age of 18 and through the ensuing years amassed a collection of some 400 restraining irons including handcuffs, padlocks and chains. His collection was reputed to be one of the world's largest.

In the late 1920's, Mr. Renaud performed one of his greatest feats for local residents when, cuffed and chained, he leaped off River Street bridge. Within minutes he freed himself and returned to shore.

With Circus

He also toured the country with Hunt Brothers Circus for

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Source / record details

Worcester Daily Telegram
Worcester, Massachusetts
January 29, 1965