William B. Archer

was the eldest of eight children of Zachariah Archer. His father’s family removed from Warren County, Ohio, to Kentucky, and from thence to this county, landing here is a keel boat near what is known as the Block school house, during the memorable Wabash freshet in 1817. He was tall of stature, spare made and slightly stooped. He had the endurance of an Indian-was insensible to fatigue-a man of iron. His character was rugged, strong, and resolute, and marked with peculiar individuality. He had a sound judgment, a firm confidence in his own convictions of right, and a moral courage to defend them that is rarely met with.

The people recognized his sterling qualities and he at once took a commanding position in the affairs of the infant settlement. He then commenced a long, busy, and useful career. He was the first county and circuit clerk.

He was appointed one of the commissioners of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, and laid out the town of Lockport, on the Illinois River. He was engaged on some public improvement near Chicago, and that city honored him by naming an avenue in his honor which still bears the name of “Archer Avenue.” He promptly responded to the call for troops in the Black Hawk War, was made a captain, and served with distinction. He was again circuit clerk in 1848. In politics he was a Whig, and a partisan, yet respectful for the opinion of others. He made the memorable congressional race against Judge J. C. Allen, which resulted in a tie. He was defeated in the next election. Mr. Allen still lives in Olney. Mr. Archer served in the state legislature sixteen years being first elected in 1824 as a member of the Fourth General Assembly. He served eight years as a member of the senate and eight years as a member of the house of representatives.

It is said of him that he was the first man to bring the name of Lincoln, to whom he was a devoted friend, into public notice. He was a delegate to a convention in Philadelphia, and during the deliberations, Colonel Archer proposed the name of Lincoln for Vice President, when a pert member sarcastically asked, “Who is Lincoln? Can he fight?” The Colonel answered, “Yes, by Guinea, he can, and so can I.”

In private life he was genial and kind, and around his private character cluster many noble virtues. He was married to Eliza Harlan and the result of that union was a daughter, who became the wife of the late Woodford Dulaney, of Kentucky. He was an honored member of the Masonic fraternity for sixty years. But the absorbing and controlling idea of his life was for the improvement and development of the county, both town and country. For this he labored, for this he toiled, and for this he gave the best years of his manhood.

He became interested in the construction of the ole Wabash Valley railroad, the present Cairo Division of the Big Four, and entered into the work with all the zeal and energy of his indomitable nature. He gave his time and his money and just as it seemed that success would crown his efforts, the project was abandoned. He was not destined to see its completion. He did more for Clark County than any other man in his day or since. But little recognition was given him for his long and valuable services. At one time he was possessed of ample means, yet so absorbed was he in his schemes for public improvements that he was careless of his private affairs, became involved in debt and lost nearly everything.

“Time bent his form, silvered his locks and enfeebled his steps but it count not conquer his spirit. But at last the end came, and on the 9^th of August, 1870 at the advanced age of eighty years, he calmly passed to his reward.