A native and lifelong resident of Arctic, Kent County, Mr. Archambault has been for many years one of that county’s leading business men as the owner of the largest furniture business in Kent County. He is also active in civic, fraternal and religious affairs. A veteran of the World War, he proved his patriotism by more than two years’ active military service with the United States Army, about half of which was spent overseas. In every respect he represents the useful, upright and public-spirited citizen.
John B. Archambault, the father of the subject of this article, was born in St. Cesaire, Province of Quebec, Canada, December 10, 1857, and came to the United States with his parents when a small boy. His father died when he was about eight years of age and his mother supported the large family of twelve by running the Natick boarding house. Early in life Mr. Archambault went to work in the Natick Mills, and saved enough of his earnings, after contributing his share to the family’s support, to attend a college at St. Cesaire where he took the business course. After completing this course, he returned to Natick and was employed at the O’Donnell store. He later opened a candy store at Arctic in a small building that stood on a part of the site now occupied by the Majestic Building. He sold out this store and established a dry goods store, where, in 1930, stood the Arctic Candy Kitchen. This business, too, he sold, and then opened a shoe store, after which he engaged for a time in the grocery business. Realizing the need of a furniture store in the Pawtuxet Valley and anticipating the growth of the community, he sold out his grocery business to enter the furniture and hardware line. In 1890 he erected a building on Washington Street, now occupied by the general furniture and hardware business which he established and which he actively conducted for many years. His business block, when it was constructed, was some distance from the group of buildings that constituted what was then the shopping center, but at the present time it is in the heart of the business district, proof of Mr. Archambault’s foresight. He had extensive real estate holdings and at one time owned twenty-five buildings. He also conducted a gristmill near the West Warwick Station, actively managing this business until the World War.
In politics, Mr. Archambault from the time of the first administration of President Woodrow Wilson was a staunch supporter of the Republican party and its principles. Prior to President Wilson’s first regime he was a Democrat and was at one time a candidate for general treasurer on the Democratic ticket. He also served as Democratic member of one of the Town Councils in the old town of Warwick. Following his change to the Republican party, Mr. Archambault became a leader of that party and was elected a member of the Board of Tax Assessors of the town of West Warwick. His religious affiliation was with the St. Jean Baptiste Roman Catholic Church of Arctic.
He married (first) Rose D. Levesque, who died about 1923; and he married (second) Mrs. Matilda (Roberts) Dufresne. By his first marriage he was the father of the following children: Edgar A.; Joseph P.; Yvon Amedee, of this review, and of whom further; Leonie, now Sister Marie Rose Delina of the Franciscan Order of Quebec; Rose; and Elianna. Another son, Dr. Lionel Archambault, died in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Mr. Archambault also had twelve grandchildren. He died at his home on High Street, Quidnick, September 13, 1928.
Yvon Amedee Archambault was born in Arctic, Kent County, October 1, 1893, a son of the late John B. and Rose D. (Levesque) Archambault. He received his early education in the parochial schools of his native town and then attended the Warwick High School. Having completed his education, he became associated with his father, the late John B. Archambault, in the furniture business conducted by the latter, the J. B. Archambault Furniture Company. By 1913, though then only twenty years of age, he had shown such business ability that he became a partner. Since 1917 he has been sole proprietor of this business, which for many years has been the largest and most successful furniture business in Kent County. Mr. Archambault is also a member of the board of directors of the Centreville Savings Bank. He is a member of the Catholic Foresters; Providence Lodge, No. 14, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; the West Warwick Post, American Legion; the Veterans of Foreign Wars; the West Warwick Country Club; the West Warwick Chamber of Commerce; and the Pawtuxet Valley Board of Trade.
During the World War he enlisted, April 12, 1917, in the Rhode Island National Guard and was assigned to the nth Company, Coast Artillery Corps. In July, 1918, he was inducted into Federal service and at that time was assigned to the Headquarters Company of the 66th Regiment, Field Artillery, with the rank of first sergeant. He served overseas for eleven months, in France, and received his honorable discharge in May, 1919, with the rank of second lieutenant.
Mr. Archambault’s religious affiliation is with the St. Jean Baptiste Roman Catholic Church. He finds his recreation chiefly in fishing and camping.
Source: Carroll, Charles. Rhode Island: Three Centuries of Democracy, vol 3 of 4. New York: Lewis historical Pub. Co., 1932.