Say, Mrs. Laura J.

Mrs. Laura J. Say, born in Platteville, Wisconsin, was a school teacher and dedicated pioneer who helped build the wealth and legacy of the Say family in Fresno County, California. She came across the plains with her wealthy parents, George I. Coates and Loretta Jones, in 1862 before marrying James H. Say in 1863. Her husband, a Pennsylvania native born on February 14, 1834, had arrived in California in 1852 to pursue placer mining, merchandising, and carpentry. Together, the couple operated a hotel at the mines, lived briefly in Mendocino County, and eventually moved to southern Fresno County to farm grain on 320 acres of preempted and homesteaded land near Kingsburg. They later transitioned to Parlier to develop a 160 acre fruit ranch and subsequently owned the Renfro House, a prominent hostelry in Selma, until it was destroyed by fire.

Following the passing of her husband on October 15, 1902, Mrs. Say continued to manage her family interests and eventually built a beautiful Colonial cottage at 1819 Young Street in Selma. She raised six children named William H., Grant, Elnora, Luther, Maude, and James Halton, many of whom became extensive local landowners, ranchers, and prominent community leaders. Through her exceptional business ability, thrift, and self-sacrificing efforts, she maintained ownership of valuable acreage near Parlier and exerted a strong influence for good on the region. As an intelligent and highly respected pioneer woman, her long residence in the area represents the foundational growth and agricultural development of early Fresno County.