Alfred E. Archambeau, a member of the business firm of Archambeau & Company, of Marquette, Marquette County, Michigan, and a prominent and representative citizen of that place, was born at Schwitzer Mills, Negaunee township, Marquette County, November i, 1865, and is a son of Nicholas and Adaline (Bergeron) Archambeau.

Both the Archambeau and Bergeron families are of French-Canadian extraction, the history of the former being traceable in America as far back as 1620, in which year one of three brothers of this name was slain at Montreal, Canada, in a battle between a French force, under the explorer, Samuel de Champlain, and the Iroquois Indians.

Nicholas Archambeau, the father of our subject, was born at St. Lin, L'Assemption County. Province of Quebec, Canada. July 10, 1840. At the age of 17 years, he left home and penetrated into the wilderness of Michigan. and with companions walked in 1857, from the vicinity of Green Bay, Wisconsin, to Marquette, Michigan. The travelers suffered many hardships and privations on the journey, but finally reached their destination safe and sound, and Mr. Archambeau secured work on the Marquette & Bay de Noquet Railroad, which was then in course of construction. For 20 years he worked on the Marquette, Houghton & Ontonagon Railroad, and is now living retired. In 1861, Nicholas Archamhbeau married Adaline Bergeron, who was born at Au Sable, New York, in 1844. and removed to Marquette, Michigan, with her parents and grandfather in 1852.

Joseph Bergeron, the grandfather of our subject's mother, who was a French Canadian by birth, was a cavalryman in the war of 1812; he fought on the side of the British and took part in the battle of Plattsburgh. He settled in New York after the war, and accompanied his son and the latter's family to Marquette, where lie died and was buried some years after. His children were as follows: Margaret, Louis, Nelson J., Emily, Mathilda, Cyrille. Moses, John, Derrick, Jerome and Joseph, all of whom are now deceased.

Nelson J. Bergeron, the father of our subject's mother, was born in Canada, but spent a large part of his early life in the State of New York. He removed to Marquette, Michigan, in 1851, and in the succeeding year was followed by his family and father. By trade, he was a carpenter; he built the first frame building in Negaunee.

He was a public spirited citizen and took an active part in the general enterprises that were promoted tor the good of the community. His widow still survives. Following are the names of their children: Oliver, who was killed in a powder mill explosion; Mrs. Adaline Archambeau, our subject's mother; Mrs. Elavia Nadeau; Mrs. Mary Mitchell; Mrs. Mathilda Ducharme; and Nelson, Lucy and Louis, who are now deceased.

Alfred E. Archambeau is the fourth member of a family of six children, namely: Joseph, who is engaged in a clothing business at Seattle, Washington; Mrs. Adaline Trottier; Louis, a railroad fireman; Alfred E.; Lucy; and Edward.

Mr. Archambeau obtained his education in the public schools of Marquette, and entered upon a business career March 1, 1882. in the confectionary and news store of J. A. Vannier, seven months later Incoming book- keeper and salesman in the mercantile establishment of K. Oshinsky, with whom he continued four years. He was then one year in the shoe department of Watson & Palmer's store, after which he returned to the employ of Mr. Oshinsky, with whom he continued until the latter sold the business. He then remained with Mr. Oshinsky*s successor. J. Simon, who now conducts the the Boston Store, of Milwaukee. Wisconsin, until Mr. Simon disposed of the business, when our subject accepted a position with Jacob Rose, a dealer in clothing and gentlemen's furnishings, and acted as salesman, and finally as assistant manager, continuing in the store for a period of six and a half years. On March 1, 1898. he started his present gentlemen's furnishings and shoe store in partnership with L. Getz, under the firm name of Archambeau & Company. This business has been continued with carefulness and with that catering to the public taste that made Mr. Archambeau so successful in the management of the other houses in which he gained experience, and it is a leading establishment in its line.

Mr. Archambeau was married June 11. 1888. to Philomene Baraly. who was born at Negaunee, Michigan, and is a daughter of Antoine and Marie (Boyer) Barabe. Their one daughter. Florence, is attending school. Mr. Archambeau has taken a prominent part in public and political " affairs, and in the spring of 1903 was nominated on the Citizens' ticket for mayor of Marquette. He has always been public spirited and was the prime mover in the agitation which succeeded in securing the monument of Pere Jacques Marquette, and served as president of the monument committee. In fraternal life he has also been prominent. He was a charter member of the Knights of Columbus organization in Marquette, has held every office in the society of St. Jean Baptiste was installing officer in the Knights of the Maccabees and a delegate to the State Great Camp, and has been vice-president of the Union Canadian Franchise of the Upper Peninsula.