My Genealogy Hound

FELIX BOMBARD, a resident of Ware, engaged in the livery business and in the wholesale and retail liquor trade, was born in the Province of Quebec, February 2, 1856, son of Jacob and Clara (Carpenter) Bombard.

His father, Jacob Bombard, began life in humble circumstances, working at first as a laboring man in saw-mills and at other kinds of work. Later on he became a boatman on the Champlain Canal, in which occupation he first began to make progress financially. He afterward opened a hotel and store in Sandy Hill, N.Y., whither he had gone on leaving Quebec. Being a man of good business ability, his ventures were generally successful; and at his death he left property valued at between twenty-five and thirty thousand dollars. He died in 1893, sixty-nine years of age, leaving with his widow five children, the survivors of thirteen born of their union. His widow is a daughter of Lewis Carpenter, who was at one time a farmer in Canada. Toward the close of his life he removed to Washington County, New York, where he died in 1876, eighty-two years of age. Mrs. Bombard’s children, with the exception of Felix Bombard, the subject of this sketch, all reside in Sandy Hill, N.Y. They are: Josephine Bombard, a maiden lady, living at home; Nelson J., of the mercantile firm of Bombard Brothers; James, proprietor of the St. Clair House of Sandy Hill, N.Y., having succeeded his father; and Henry L., who is associated in business with his brother Nelson J. Their mother, who is now seventy-one years of age, is still strong and active. She is the eldest of a large family, of whom seven sons and three daughters are still living; and the youngest is forty-four years old. Three of her brothers served in the Civil War.

Felix Bombard received only a limited education; and at the age of twelve years he began to assist his father on the canal, performing the work of a man. In his twentieth year he started out in business for himself, and for two years kept the St. Clair Hotel. He next removed to Southbridge, Mass., where he drove a tinware cart for three years, being engaged on a salary. He then started in the business for himself, and kept five carts on the road the larger part of the time. In 1880 he went to North Brookfield, Mass., and three years later came to Ware, continuing in the tin business in both places until 1886, when he closed out his store, and engaged in the importation of Canadian horses. When he started, he had only a barn with four stalls; but he has since done a very successful business. In 1890 he sold horses to the value of about forty-five thousand dollars, besides transacting a large business in carriages and harnesses. He now has a barn suitable for thirty-two horses, and usually has from five to twenty on hand. In 1894 he erected his block at the corner of Parker Street, where he now carries on horse dealing, a livery, and the carriage, harness, and saddlery business. Also in the building are commission auction rooms, where he holds weekly sales of horses. He opened his restaurant, with which he combines a wholesale and retail liquor business, in 1895.

When twenty years of age, he was united in marriage with Miss Apoline Vannier, of Sandy Hill, N.Y., who was a daughter of John Vannier. Three children were born of this union. She died at Southbridge, Mass., in 1879, leaving an infant daughter, Delia, who is now sixteen years of age. The other children are: Carrie; and Frederick, who is seventeen years of age. On April 25, 1881, Mr. Bombard was again married, his second wife being Miss Mary Goyette, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Bolio) Goyette, of North Brookfield, Mass. Her parents had fifteen children, of whom nine are now living. Mr. Bombard has no children by his second marriage.

In political affiliation Mr. Bombard is a Democrat. During his residence in North Brookfield he served as Constable, and since he has resided in Ware he has filled for two years each the offices of Constable and Road Commissioner. He and his family are consistent members of All Saints’ Church, which is now under the charge of Father Boyle. They reside in the pleasant home which Mr. Bombard erected in 1888.