California Biographies 

Source:
History of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Ventura Counties, California
by: C M Gidney - Santa Barbara. Benjamin Brooks - San Luis Obispo. 
Edwin M Sheridan - Ventura
Volumes II - Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, ILL., 1917

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


JOSEPH ARCHAMBAULT. Many stories are told of successful California men who starting on the 
bottom round of the ladder have climbed steadily to a degree of prosperity such as might make 
anyone envious. A more than typical case is that of Joseph Archambault, now living retired in 
Santa Barbara.
When Mr. Archambault arrived in Santa Barbara forty years ago, the story is told on good 
authority that his entire capital amounted to twenty-five cents. He was eighteen years old at 
the time, and though he had been rolling about the world for some time he had accumulated 
very little moss. He was born in Montreal, Canada, April 12, 1858, a son of Joseph and Marie 
Archambault. Up to the age of twelve he attended public school. Going to Ross Point, New York, 
he worked there a year, in Montpelier, Vermont, a year, and was in Crown Point, now 
Burlington, Vermont, until 18745.
After this uncertain and not altogether successful experience Mr. Archambault tried his hand in 
California. Almost immediately after his arrival in Santa Barbara, perhaps out of sheer 
necessity, he secured employment on a ranch near that city. He was certainly a hard worker, 
and given a reasonable opportunity he soon made good. He remained on the ranch four years 
and then used part of his earnings in paying for some instructions in school at Santa Barbara, 
thus making up for some of his earlier deficiencies.
After that for five years he was employed in the lumber mills at Eureka, California, but since 
then has lived in Santa Barbara County. For six months he was employed by R. K. Fisher, and 
then following a trip back East to home and relatives, lasting six months, he began farming on 
leased ground. That was his plan of procedure for several years, and with the capital thus 
realized he bought too acres. From that time forward his success was cumulative. One year 
after his first purchase he bought 200 acres, and a year later 200 more. All of that he 
conducted as a magnificent farm and ranch under his personal supervision until 1912. In that 
year he began getting ready to retire, and sold zoo acres, and in 1913 the rest of his place.
Since coming to Santa Barbara Mr. Archambault has built a fine home in that city and is now 
living retired and enjoying the fruits of his earlier toil. He is unmarried. Since 1876 he has been 
a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and so far as politics is concerned is 
entirely independent in his judgment and voting.