Sunday E-dition: Elodie Hogan and Hilaire Belloc — A Transcontinental Love in the 1800s

By Rebecca Yerger

Jun 02, 2024

NAPA VALLEY, Calif. — Today we frequently hear about international love stories, thanks to the ease of traveling around the globe. In the late 1800s, however, such a story was a rarity. One that has a local tie to the Napa Valley was the story of Elodie Hogan, a local woman, and Hilaire Belloc, her determined European suitor, who would gain fame as an author and orator. Their romance was far from smooth, and it involved a cross-country hike, internal conflict and a meddling mother.

It all began in 1890, when Elodie, her sister, Elizabeth, and their widowed mother, Ellen Barrett Hogan, left Napa for a Vatican pilgrimage and European tour. In June, nearing the end of their trip, they arrived in London, where a family friend took the Hogans to the home of the widowed Madame Belloc for tea. Eventually her son, Hilaire, came home and introduced himself to the ladies. It is said that Hilaire was instantly captivated by Elodie’s bright blue eyes, glistening auburn hair and ethereal yet lively spirit. He purportedly bowed the longest before her.

Shortly thereafter, Ellen had to return to California, leaving her 20-something daughters in London under the supervision and hospitality of Madame Belloc. Hilaire, a few years younger than Elodie, seized the opportunity to be a devoted, constant and genial guide for her and her sister. While flattered by his attentiveness, Elodie was distracted by her internal struggle with the question of becoming a nun.

Hilaire remained undaunted by that detachment while Elodie and Elizabeth remained in London. But their departure nearly brought him to tears, and he vowed to follow Elodie to California. He told his mother that he wanted to visit his Philadelphia cousins and with her blessing gathered some funds, bought passage and set sail for the United States. While visiting his cousins in Philadelphia, he received news that the Hogans had moved to San Francisco, and he set out to find them — on foot.

Hilaire recounted the cross-country trek in his book “The Contrast.” He wrote, “I was free in those days; and during the months that followed I took my way as I would: very often for whole weeks on foot, sometimes riding or driving, here and there ... and then on foot again for weeks in the lonely places of the west.” Hilaire made meager wages by selling his sketches of the country. He shared the artistic talents of his namesake paternal grandfather, who was a renowned French artist.

While Hilaire traveled westward, Elodie was becoming increasingly perplexed by the conflict between her love for the church and Hilaire. Her mother added to Elodie’s turmoil by disapproving of Hilaire and marriage in general.

“I looked at last upon the Pacific,” Hilaire wrote when he finally reached California, “... into the paradise of California.”

Then, uninvited and unannounced, he arrived at the Hogan home with long hair, travel-worn clothes and no money. Regardless of his unsavory appearance and lack of personal hygiene and social graces, he wasted no time in asking Ellen for her daughter’s hand. She didn’t respond, but she did invite him to stay as her guest to reciprocate his mother’s hospitality. During his three-week stay, Elodie’s confusion only grew, as did Hilaire’s anxiety. He departed for the East Coast by train, with Ellen purportedly paying his way. Upon his arrival in Philadelphia, a letter from Elodie saying that she would not marry him was waiting. Heartbroken, he wrote, “Paradise never lasts long.”

Hilaire returned to London for a brief time before going on to France. There, he fulfilled his legal obligation of serving in their army since he was born in France to a French father. Following the completion of his mandatory service, Hilaire returned to England. He graduated from Oxford with a law degree in 1895.

During this period, Elodie and Hilaire wrote occasionally to one another. In one letter, Elodie informed Hilaire of the death of her mother in 1891. The most disconcerting news came in the autumn of 1895, when Elodie told Hilaire she was entering a Maryland convent. Within a month, however, she changed her mind and returned to California.

In March 1896 Hilaire and his mother sailed to New York. Hilaire paid for their passage with money lent to him by a friend. To his benefactor he wrote, “I had no conception till I got here of what those five years had been. My soul had frozen — a little more and I should have done nothing with my life. Thank you for the 100 Dollars. They will form the most useful of wedding gifts.”

While his mother stayed in Philadelphia, Hilaire traveled westward aboard a train. His trip was an anxious one as he had not heard from Elodie for quite some time. When he arrived in Napa in April 1896, he discovered the reason. Elodie had been seriously ill, although she was now recovering.

The couple were married on June 15, 1896, at St. John the Baptist Church in Napa and were the honored guests at a lavish wedding brunch hosted by the jubilant Hogan family. Hilaire sent a piece of the cake to his mother along with a letter detailing the wedding. He wrote, “We have been married in as Catholic a way as could be, with a Nuptial Mass and Communion and all sorts of rites and benedictions by an old priest called Slattery.” The church was the center of the Hogan family’s religious life, with each of the Hogan children having been baptized there, Elodie in 1868.

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Following the newlyweds’ honeymoon of exploring Napa and Sonoma counties, they headed east and eventually arrived in London. They had five children and lived a happy life together until Elodie passed away in February 1913. Hilaire dressed in black for the next 40 years until his death in July 1953 at age 83.

Throughout his life Hilaire frequently told the love story and tales of his cross-country adventures to their children and grandchildren, often ending with a wistful, “I sometimes wish I’d remained in California.”

Those memories inspired one of their sons, Hilary A. Belloc, a civil engineer, to relocate to San Francisco. In 1956, 60 years after Elodie and Hilaire took their vows at St. John’s, one of their grandsons married at the same church in commemoration of his grandparents’ legacy of enduring love.

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Rebecca Yerger is a local historian, historic preservation consultant, writer and Napa Valley native.

Levity Corner

Caption contest. Pick your favorite caption or add your own in the comments below

Vote for your favorite in the poll below (there’s not enough room in the polls for the complete answers).

"I'm sorry, Fabio, but your shirt is more dramatic than this storm."
"Do you think we should discuss the storm, or just keep staring?"
"Darling, do you think love can survive with these dramatic special effects?"
"Quick, strike a pose! The romance novel cover artist is watching."
"Your hair, my shirt and this view—we're definitely going viral."

Or leave your own suggested caption in the comments.

Last week’s winner

Last week, in, “Sunday E-dition: Napa Valley College Breaks New Ground,” the winning caption, with 44% of the votes was, "Our secret to success: Add a fancy name and triple the price.”

Last Week

Tim Carl discussed the wine industry's response to health concerns in "Under the Hood: Facing the Facts — The Wine Industry’s Struggle With Valid Health Concerns." Carl highlighted the contentious nature of alcohol's health implications, noting the industry's defensive stance against critiques. He emphasized the importance of relying on objective data and warned against adopting a victim narrative, which could alienate younger health-conscious consumers. Drawing parallels with the tobacco industry's mistakes, Carl advised the wine industry to transparently address health risks and collaborate with public health authorities to maintain credibility and avoid regulatory backlash.

Virginie Boone reported on the groundbreaking ceremony for Napa Valley College's new Wine Education Complex in “Sunday E-dition: Napa Valley College Breaks New Ground.” The project, made possible by a $10 million donation from Marvin R. Shanken and the Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation, will support the college’s Food and Wine Pathway Program and related degree programs. Napa Valley College President Torence Powell emphasized the center's significance for the college and local wine industry. Additional funding came from the estate of Evelyn Allen, a long-time supporter and alum. The new complex aims to address the region's need for skilled hospitality staff.

Dan Berger reflected on the changing significance of aging red wines in “Dan Berger's Wine Chronicles: Aged Red Wines Are Still 'Fine.'” He discussed how many modern California red wines are crafted for immediate consumption, lacking the structure for long-term aging. Berger reminisced about the superior aging potential of wines from the 1960s and 1970s, crafted with patience and expertise. He also critiqued the influence of critics who favor youthful wines, thus impacting winemaking practices. Berger highlighted regions and winemakers, such as Virginia's Jim Law and Michigan's Bryan Ulbrich, who continue to produce age-worthy wines.

Penny Pawl discussed common mistakes made by gardeners in "Eradicate Invasives in Your Garden." She recounted her experience with invasive plants such as bamboo, wisteria, pampas grass and Monterey pine, emphasizing the challenges of controlling them. Pawl also warned against planting popular but invasive species such as Scotch broom, honeysuckle, and Himalayan blackberries. She advised gardeners to research plants before purchasing to avoid introducing invasive species to their gardens. Pawl concluded with resources for gardeners, including workshops and help desks provided by UC Master Gardeners of Napa County.

Sasha Paulsen previewed Lucky Penny Productions' upcoming play in “Who Are 'The Real Housewives of Napa Valley'?” Playwright and director Barry Martin emphasized that the show is a parody and not based on real individuals. The production, a collaboration between Martin and Rob Broadhurst, features prominent Lucky Penny performers and centers on housewives attempting to save their TV show from cancellation. The musical promises humor and local flavor, with performances running from May 31 through June 16 at the Lucky Penny Community Arts Center.

Next Week

Next week we have more interesting articles from a host of Napa Valley Features' contributors. Paulsen will share insights on the La Onda music festival, while Wednesday's Master Gardener series will focus on magnolias. Dan Berger will explore Napa Valley wine on Thursday. The Weekender will guide readers through events and activities in the area, and Boone will present an "Under the Hood" recap of BottleRock 2024. There will also be even more information included.