John Vernou Bouvier III

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John Vernou Bouvier III (May 19, 1891 – August 2, 1957) was a Wall Street stockbroker who was the father of Jacqueline Lee Bouvier, who would become the First Lady of the United States through her marriage to John Fitzgerald Kennedy, and Caroline Lee Bouvier. His nickname was "Black Jack" Bouvier, referring to his omnipresent dark tan and his gambling lifestyle.

[edit] Bouvier Family History

He was the eldest child of John Vernou Bouvier, Jr. (1865 - 1948) and Maude Frances Sergeant (1870 - 1940). The Bouvier family descended from Michel Bouvier (1792-1874), a French cabinetmaker, who left France in 1815 after the defeat of Napoleon. He settled in Philadelphia where he opened a cabinet making or furniture shop. He made fine furniture for the likes of Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon's brother who lived for a time in Point Breeze, New Jersey. Michel gained his fortune later in real estate speculation. His son, Michel Charles (M.C.) Bouvier further distinguished himself in the world of Finance in Wall Street. M.C. left his fortune to his nephew, Major John Vernou Bouvier Jr., who used it to buy a fantastic estate in Easthampton, Long Island known as Lasata. It is at this estate that Jacqueline Bouvier spent most of her summers as a girl.

[edit] Life and Career

He had a younger brother, William Sergeant "Bud" Bouvier (1893 - 1929) and three sisters, Maude R., Michelle C., and Edith Ewing Bouvier (the mother of socialite and singer Edith Bouvier Beale).[1][2][3]

Bouvier served in World War I and attended Sheffield Scientific School, graduating in 1914, becoming a stockbroker.[4] His nickname was "Black Jack" Bouvier, which derived from his swarthy complexion. His drinking, gambling and womanizing led to his divorce from his wife Janet Norton Lee Bouvier (1906 - 1989). His first wife reportedly did not want him to escort Jacqueline down the aisle for her wedding to John F. Kennedy. Jacqueline was instead escorted by her step-father, Hugh D. Auchincloss. Some reports state that Bouvier was too intoxicated to escort his daughter, and this was the reason Auchincloss stepped in to give the bride away.

He is buried in the Bouvier family plot at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Cemetery in East Hampton.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Genealogia - John Vernou Bouvier III
  2. ^ "Michelle Bouvier Married In Garden; Wed To Henry C. Scott Before Flower. Covered Altar At Lasata, East Hampton. Twin Sister Honor Maid Bride Escorted By Her Father -- Bridegroom's Brother His Best Man. Couple Motor To Canada.", New York Times, July 6, 1926. Retrieved on 2007-06-21. "Miss Michelle C. Bouvier, one of the twin daughters of Mr. and Mrs. John Vernou Bouvier, Jr. of 521 Park Avenue and East Hampton, Long Island, was married this afternoon to Henry Clarkson Scott, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Samuell Scott of St. Louis, at Lasata, the Bouvier Summer home." 
  3. ^ "Maude R. Bouvier Weds John E. Davis; 400 Guests See Ceremony At The East Hampton Home Of Bride's Parents. Many In The Bridal Party Twin Sister Of Miss Bouvier Is Matron Of Honor. Sun Comes Out Just Before Wedding. The Bride's Attendants. Wedding Breakfast For 400.", New York Times, September 4, 1928, Tuesday. Retrieved on 2007-06-21. "Miss Maude R. Bouvier, one of the twin daughters of Mr. and Mrs. John Vernou Bouvier Jr. of 521 Park Avenue, New York, and East Hampton,..." 
  4. ^ The Washington Post and Times Herald, 4 August 1957, obituary
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