Beggy, Domi, El-Morsy, Parrado, Rizzo-Reidy 1

Biography of Achille Lucien Archambault

Philadelphia is, and always has been, a place where people of all backgrounds live
together in the pursuit of success and prosperity. Ever since colonial times, Philadelphia was the
heart of entrepreneurship and drudgery. Philadelphia was home to many successful and
impressive people who earned their prominence and affluence through diligent work and
commitment, including the prominent Archambault family, specifically Achille Lucien
Archambault. Although Achille Lucien Archambault was often overshadowed by his more
prominent father, Joseph Archambault, Achille Lucien
Archambault led a remarkable and noteworthy life as well,
and is such the subject of this biographical project.

Joseph Archambault, Achille Lucien’s father1, was

born August 22nd, 1796 in Fontainebleau, France2
(Document 19). The French Revolution ended shortly before
his birth and he was just an infant during Napoleon’s coup
d’etat and rise to power. As a frenchman during that time
period, he grew up under the Napoleonic Consulate followed
by Napoleon’s Empire. In 1805, while he was still very
young, Joseph and his older brother, Achille, began working
in the imperial stables. Napoleon took a liking to the
brothers and Achille and Joseph were able to receive an
education at the Polytechnic School in Paris because of this.
He even gave them a pair of socks made from extremely fine
silk.3 It is likely that Napoleon was supporting this because
he wanted to groom the brothers for military service as loyal
and talented generals4.

As time progressed, Napoleon became more imperialistic and started his grand military
conquests. The Archambault brothers unsurprisingly joined his army and served as his grooms,
becoming very close to Napoleon and moving up the ranks quickly (Document 29). When he
was exiled to Elba, they were part of the select group that went with him, and they accompanied
him when he escaped. Both stuck by Napoleon’s side, fighting with him during the Hundred
Days and Battle of Waterloo, and remained by his side when he was exiled again to St. Helena in
1815 (Document 19). In 1816, Joseph was dismissed from Napoleon’s service due to mandatory

1
​The photograph to the right depicts Joseph Archambault dressed in his military uniform. This photo shows how
dedicated he was to service and what a prominent soldier he was. Although no date is given, it is apparent that
Joseph is older in the photograph and it was taken while he was in America.​4
2
Town in France southeast of Paris. It is known as a wealthy suburb and was built by French royalty.
3
Tyrell, John
4
​“Achille Archambault Archives.”
 Beggy, Domi, El-Morsy, Parrado, Rizzo-Reidy 2

staff cuts5. Fortunately, Joseph agreed with the dismissal due to his newfound aspirations for a
family and different career. That same year, he sailed to New York City looking to start his new
life. (Document 1)

After arriving in America, Joseph Archambault had a number of various occupations. Just
after docking in New York City, he sought out Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon’s brother, who was
living in New Jersey. Bonaparte employed Archambault6, who served as his groom, but after a
year, Archambault began to pursue his own business ventures. He moved to Newtown,
Pennsylvania7, where he opened a hardware store. Later, he purchased and ran the Brick Hotel,8
which became his primary enterprise, along with real estate he owned all over Newtown. He also
was an exceptional soldier. He led and created many militias, and was even a cavalry major in
the Civil War (Document 9, 29). In 1818, Joseph Archambault married Susan Sprague in New
York. Sprague ran a business selling muslins from her house (Document 5). They remained in
Bucks County (bucks militia) until 1841 and went on to have 5 children: Victor Ebenezer
(1819-1893), Achille Lucien (1822-1906), Lafayette (1824-1888), Napoleon Bonaparte
(1826-1901)9, and Roselma Josephine (1832-1914)10.

Achille Lucien Archambault was born in Newtown, Bucks County, Pennsylvania on May
1st, 1822 (Document 24). His father chose the name Achille after his brother. Achille Lucien was
educated at the village academy at Newtown, where he stayed only for the primary years and did
not seek higher education. During his schooling, Achille Archambault worked with his father in
his Newtown post office and the Brick Hotel.

Achille Lucien Archambault was not the only individual in the Archambault family who
pursued a entrepreneurship career rather than finish their studies. Victor Ebenezer Archambault
was Joseph Archambault’s firstborn son and Achille’s older brother. Like his brother Achille, he
was had entrepreneur tendencies at an early age, often helping around the hardware shop his
father owner. Later on, Victor was a carpet retailer and owned a store at the intersection of 11th
and Market Streets in Philadelphia (Document 30). He retired in 1892 and his son continued his
work. Victor enjoyed a lot of financial success and was socially active as a member of the Union
League, the French Benevolent Society, and the Philadelphia Country Club (Document 28).

5
​The British controlled Napoleon’s exile to St. Helena. They determined that it would be best to make staff cuts as
the staff was too big and were resulting in heavy financial burdens for the British government.
6
​Joseph Bonaparte served as a French Diplomat for the French government during his residence in America. At the
time Bonaparte employed Joseph Archambault, Bonaparte was said to be involved in business and economic matters
of the state, issues which he would often discuss with Archambault. This is what is thought to have inspired Joseph
Archambault to begin his entrepreneurship career.
7
Town located 25-30 miles north of Philadelphia in Bucks County
8
“The Brick Hotel Story.”
9
​Town located 25-30 miles north of Philadelphia in Bucks County
10
​“Victor Ebenezer Archambault (1819-1895)”
 Beggy, Domi, El-Morsy, Parrado, Rizzo-Reidy 3

Victor Ebenezer Archambault passed away in 1893, 13 years before his younger brother, Achille
Lucien.
After finishing his primary years, Achille began his business career through a county
clerkship in a local convenience store, where he stayed for two years. Preceding his clerkship,
Achille traveled with his father to his newly-bought farm in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. There,
Achille Lucien Archambault encountered his father’s saw-mill. Such saw-mill sparked a passion
for Achille toward mechanics and machinery (Document 20). To determine whether or not such
profession would be an adequate occupation for him, Achille Archambault moved to
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he apprenticed in a tiny machine shop named Marshall &
Brock (Document 20). Not satisfied at the machine shop, Achille decided to leave in 1845.

Steadfast in his passion for machinery, Archambault sought after any opportunity to work
in the mechanical profession. In 1845, Archambault moved to New Orleans to work at the
United States Mint11. There, Archambault worked in constructing the first ever coin press at the
mint to produce silver coins. His work at the mint gained much desired attention for him by
many industrial workshops across the city. Achille chose to work for John Leeds & Co., the
largest machine shop in the city (Document 7). However, after six months working with the
workshop, Achille decided to end ties with the machine shop and instead, partnered up with a
Mr. Jones to create a steam engines, machinery, and fire engine shop (Document 20). However,
the shop was not producing enough revenue to Archambault’s satisfaction and in 1848, Achille
Archambault decided to finally return to Philadelphia after a long and disappointing three years,
narrowly escaping cholera that was plaguing the entire populus of New Orleans at the time12.

Now in Philadelphia, Achille Archambault

bought the machine establishment of Joel
Bates in 1848 at 13 Drinker’s Alley. There,
Achille continued to work on steam
engines, machinery, and fire engines as he
did previously in New Orleans (Document
2). Later in the year, Achille developed the
Archambault Portable Fire Engine, one of
the many hallmarks of his career.

The Archambault Portable Fire Engine,

also known as the Portable Steam Hoisting
and Pumping Engine, was a revolutionary
portable steam engine at the time. This

11
​The New Orleans Mint, named “The Old U.S. Mint” due to its old protocol at the time, was in service between
1838 to 1861, and in dire need of upgraded technology at the time to meet its quota.
12
​During the early 1850s, New Orleans faced an epidemic of cholera and yellow fever due to its poor sanitation
conditions and immigrant communities who had no access to proper drinking water
 Beggy, Domi, El-Morsy, Parrado, Rizzo-Reidy 4

engine, unlike other portable engines created, only required one man to attend to its brakes and
steam pipe (Document 2, Document 20). The engine was also able to discharge a rate of
twenty-five tons of steam per hour, a rate unheard of at the time (Document 3, Document 4).
This engine later on went to win the First Premiums Award13 by the Franklin Institute and by
Agricultural Societies in multiple states. The engine was also placed on exhibitions in multiple
states and won several other medals and awards from machinery societies (Document 4). This
revolutionary steam engine gave Achille Archambault the fame he so much desired.

In the same year, Achille Lucien Archambault also created a less popular, yet still as
ingenious, steam engine named the “Forty-Niner”14. This massive horse-drawn steam engine was
similar in the design as the Archambault Portable Fire Engine, but was less powerful and
expensive. This engine was sold in 4, 10 & 30 horsepower sizes, and was meant to assist farmers
in their seasonal farming tasks. Although not widely recognized, the “Forty-Niner” steam engine
was credited by many as launching the Agricultural Revolution of the 20th Century (Document
36).

Archambault’s fruitful year continued as Achille married Henrietta B. Haupt, the sister of
General Herman Haupt15, in 1848 (Document 1). The popular status of the Haupt family due to
General Herman Haupt’s fame attracted Archambault, who greatly wanted to gain a reputation
and come into fortune. His foreseen destiny as a successful businessman led him to marry the
relative of a renowned family. On December 6, 1848, the couple finally were joined in union by
Reverend Charles West Thompson at the Grace Church in Philadelphia (Document 1). In the
later years, Achille Lucien Archambault and Henrietta B. Haupt conceived four children, three
boys and one girl.

One of Archambault’s more successful and prominent child was his daughter Anna
Margaretta Archambault. Born February 12th, 1857, she was Achille and Susan’s second child
and only daughter. Anna spent most of her life living in Philadelphia, where she established a
school called the Seminary for Young Ladies and Children, which taught French and drawing to
children, two aspects often associated with sophistication (Document 21, Document 22). Her
school helped prepare students for success in their Grammar School (Document 22). Her start in
teaching and draw towards children led her to become a prominent artist. She opened up her own
studio on Chestnut Street (Document 27). She also was an author and women’s rights activist
during the Progressive Movement. Anna famously edited ​A Guide Book of Art, Architecture, and
Historic Interests in Pennsylvania​. Additionally, she served as the director of the Philadelphia

13
​The First Premiums Award was an award given by the Franklin Institute to individuals who displayed “excellent
marksmanship and innovation”. Such award was disbanded after 1875.
14
​A. L. Archambault - History
15
​General Herman Haupt was a Union Army General who served as an American civil and railroad engineer. He
revolutionized U.S military transportation.
 Beggy, Domi, El-Morsy, Parrado, Rizzo-Reidy 5

School of Miniature Art and had a relatively successful art career of her own (Document 28).
She passed away in 1956 at the age of 99.

Continuing on to 1854, Achille Lucien Archambault found himself in dire need of a

larger workshop to continue with his projects. To remedy this, Achille decided to buy a large plot
of land on the streets of Fifteenth and Hamilton. There, Archambault erected multiple buildings
with a sign labeled A.L. Archambault Portable Steam Engine Builder.16 During this time he lived
at 356 N 12th St (Document 10).

The A.L. Archambault Portable Steam Engine Builder shop originated as a handful of
small workshops where Achille Archambault carried his business quite prosperously. Achille
then decided to add a steam boiler shop to the company, as to maximize profits and revenue.
This boiler shop was so efficient and successful, that no boiler created from the shop ever burst,
a feat completely unheard of at the time, especially considering the large number of boilers he
produced. Wanting to expand his business, Achille began immersing himself in the industry of
marine engines (Document 20). This too became a successful business venture as Achille saw
himself filling out large marine orders weekly. After only 7 years in the workshops of Fifteenth
and Hamilton, Achille found himself, yet again, in need of a larger venue to expand his ever so
flourishing company (Document 10).

In around 1865, Achille Lucien Archambault

purchased a large plot of land along the
Delaware River at Beach and Vienna streets. In
this area, he constructed a conglomerate of
buildings that became known as the Kensington
Iron Works17 (Document 10). This land was
very desirable to Achille Lucien Archambault
as it contained a dock with direct access to the
Delaware River, giving Archambault the
opportunity to venture in the shipbuilding
industry (Document 20). It is likely that this
newfound interest of creating ships came from
Archambault’s success in creating marine
engines. On this large plot of land, Achille
created several buildings and workshops, as
well as a “Boat Builder & Mast Maker Shop”
building and a wharf which was 75 feet in
length and 400 feet in depth, in addition to employing an additional 45 workers solely on the
16
​A. L. Archambault - History
17
​The photograph to the left shows Achille Lucien Archambault’s original hand-drawn blueprints for the
Kensington Iron Works.
 Beggy, Domi, El-Morsy, Parrado, Rizzo-Reidy 6

shipbuilding division. At the peak of his necessity for employees, Archambault would hire up to
80 or 90 workers in his Kensington Iron Works. This shipbuilding extension of the company
proved very profitable to Achille during the years to come . 18

During the time period between 1863 to 1875, Achille Lucien Archambault found his
business to serve very profitable. During the oil excitement19 of the 1860s, Achille saw himself
building many steam engines and vessels, sometimes forced to finish three orders a week. He
stated that all orders would be filled within four to six weeks. He offered vessels from thirty to
forty feet long (Document 14). Archambault’s success and efficiency in the shipbuilding industry
produced much publicity to his company, so much so that Archambault was commissioned by
the Secretary of War to create a steam-launch vessel for the Quartermaster’s Department in
1874. This project, priced at $5,250 ($150,00 in today’s currency), proved to be one of Achille
Lucien Archambault’s biggest projects to date 20. His work was also so well known that he even
got business from Cuba (Document 16, Document 17).

The steam powered vessel, named the General Greene, after General Nathanael Greene,
was a 50 foot long vessel with a 12 feet beam, 4 feet hold, an engine cylinder that was 9 by 10
inches, a horizontal tubular boiler, and a small cabin which could comfortably hold 10 to 15
sailors. The steam-launch was described by the Secretary of War as a very efficient vessel, able
to make trips from McHenry, Maryland to Baltimore City in under fifteen minutes. The vessel
had a impressive pressure of 35 to 50 pounds of steam, and consumed less than 500 pounds of
coal to operate each day. The ship, according to the Secretary of War, only required $2.50
($50.42 in today’s currency), to operate each day . The boat was so well built and efficient that it
still stands today at the Spring Hill Beach in New England21.

In addition to completing vessel orders, such as the one Achille was commissioned to
create, Achille also continued to harbor his innovating spirit by designing new steam technology
and engines. Such innovative spirit allowed Archambault to invent the very first small steam
yacht in the late 1860s to which he gave the name, ​Minnie​ (Document 13). Such invention
proved to be very prosperous to Achille, the sole proprietor of this remarkable new class of
vessel. This vessel utilized steam propulsion as a primary system, whereas the secondary system
would be provided by the sails. This ingenious design allowed cost efficient steam yachts which
was heavily desired by the market. So heavenly desired, in fact, that his total estimated revenue
from selling such yachts was around $100,000 (almost 2 million dollars in today’s currency)
(Document 15).

18
​“Annual Report of the Secretary of War.”
19
​During the 1850’s and 1860’s, shortly after the first successful oil drill was made, oil became a major natural
resource and was abundant in Pennsylvania
20
“Annual Report of the Secretary of War.”
21
“Annual Report of the Secretary of War.”
 Beggy, Domi, El-Morsy, Parrado, Rizzo-Reidy 7

Following 1876, the Kensington Iron Works company decreased in profits and often
failed to meet quarterly demands. Achille Lucien Archambault attempted to save the company,
but Achille seemed to be losing money every day he kept the company open. Finally, in 1878,
Achille could no longer bear the financial burden of the company and its debts, and thus declared
bankruptcy, seeking to benefit from the Bankrupt Law of 186722 (Document 23). However, after
filing for such bankruptcy, Achille resumed his business career in 1883 and continued on with
his profession in machinery as he continued to sell some orders of yachts to some wealthy people
around the east coast of America and in Cuba (Document 25). Unfortunately, Archambault’s
business never truly mended its reputation after bankruptcy, and revenue significantly shrunk.
During this time, even with his declining business, he relocated his residence from 523 N 19th St
to 1806 Mt Vernon St sometime between 1880 and 1886. A pricey move within the same general
area of Philadelphia in order to maintain the tight knit community with the other Archambault's.

The sudden tight knit community of Archambault’s in these late years was likely created
due to nostalgic sentiments the Archambault family witnessed as their tomorrows became ever
so numbered. These sentiments were further shown in February 3, 1894 when both Napoleon
Bonaparte Archambault and Achille Lucien Archambault appeared before Notary Public Harry J.
Franz to attest to the fact that their father, Joseph Archambault, accompanied Napoleon to St.
Helena. They two brothers also attested to the fact that Joseph received a pair of fine stockings
which their father has kept in his person until he died, and was subsequently given to them. This
affidavit was submitted by Achille Lucien Archambault and Napoleon Bonaparte Archambault
as a token of respect to their father, a token which will forever show the father's dedication to
Napoleon in legal writing, something in which the two brothers believed the father would like
very much 23.

Towards the end of the 19th century, the health of Achille Lucien Archambault was
deteriorating in one of his homes at 426 S 40th St in 1895. His earlier lucrative lifestyle of
wealth and reputation led him to lose focus of his well-being as he was soon diagnosed with
atherosclerosis24. The diagnosis of the disease put him on a path of wanting to live longer in any
way he could. The course he took to hopefully extend his lifetime was to rely on religion. On
October 26, 1904, Achille, his wife, Henrietta B. Haupt, and their daughter, Anna Margaretta
Archambault, were all received at St. Philip’s Church (Document 31). Unfortunately, his
religious tendencies towards the end of his life were naught and he fell into a horrible condition
and died of a cerebral hemorrhage25 on December 28, 1908 (Document 32). He was buried on
December 31, 1908, on New Year’s Eve.

22
​Act that allowed voluntarily declared bankruptcy
23
Tyrrell, John
24
​The build-up of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the artery walls. Results from unhealthy lifestyle
(overeating, unhealthy eating, lack of exercise).
25
​An emergency condition in which a ruptured blood vessel causes bleeding inside the brain.
 Beggy, Domi, El-Morsy, Parrado, Rizzo-Reidy 8

In conclusion, Achille Lucien Archambault was an assiduous individual with a life full of
both successes and failures. Being born in a family of prominence on both his father and
mother’s sides induced a set of expectations by which Achille Lucien Archambault was to live.
However, as demonstrated by Achille’s decision to not pursue higher education but rather pursue
a career in mechanics, Achille Lucien Archambault set his own expectations and was able to
succeed and achieve many of his goals. He was a very talented engineer and was able to
contribute several of the world’s best portable steam engine. Another great success that he
enjoyed was building the world’s first small steam powered yacht (Document 33). His
engineering prowess was truly incredible and provided several technological contributions to
society. Archambault was successful in the economic sense as well, for a time. His skills with
mechanics were able to temporarily provide Archambault with a wealth that arguably even
superseded his father’s. Perhaps Archambault’s greatest success was his family. He had a loving
wife and a healthy family, as well as financial security that he was able to utilize to lead a very
comfortable life.

However, Archambault was only a man, and like all men, mistakes and failures were part
of his life story. Although Archambault led a happy and, for the most part, very successful life, it
is important to note the failures and inadequacies of Achille in order to truly comprehend the
type of man he was. Arguably the largest failure that Archambault withstood was the damage his
business underwent by the invention of the internal combustion engine which replaced his claim
to fame, the portable steam engine, and made it a second tier product. Although the internal
combustion engine was a gradual change in the market, Achille failed to adapt to these changes
and was put out of business. This incident speaks volumes about Achille’s personality and
thought process, indicating that he was stubborn and proud. However, it is worth noting that even
after he declared bankruptcy, Achille Lucien Archambault returned back to his entrepreneurial
career to continue working with his passion, which shows the dedication and commitment that he
had (Document 25). Truthfully, Achille Lucien Archambault’s life was very remarkable and
when he passed away in 1908 at the age of 86, he had undoubtedly left his mark on the world
and made the best out of what he had.