ARCHER-James - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Beckwith, H. W. History of Fountain County, Indiana

Chicago: HH Hill, 1881 p 240

James ARCHER, farmer, Newtown, was born where he lives in Richland Twp Feb 9, 1827 youngest child and only son of his parents. These, Samuel and Jane Elliott Archer were married Dec 16, 1824. His father was first married to Elizabeth Griffith by whom he had 3 daughters. His mother's first husband was James Steele. In 1826 his parents left Dayton Ohio and coming here, entered the land upon which Mr. Archer now resides. 3 tracts aggregating 240 acres, described as NE 1/4 Sec 18 and E 1/2 SW 1/4 Sec 19, Tp 20 Rg 6. The paternal head of the family did not long survive his settlement and brief period of usefulness for in Aug 1830 he was stricken by disease and died. He wa a man whom the community could ill afford to lose in its early infancy. He surveyed nearly all this region of country. He was the 2nd justice of the peace in Richland Twp and county commissioner at time of death. Mr. Archer's mother died 1867. He has always lived on his native homestead. He was 1st married to Ann RIVERS Sept 19, 1850. She had two infants which lived but a little time and she herself departed this life Sept 21, 1853. On May 25, 1854 he was again married this time to Miss Harriet RAY. The fruit of this union is one hcild, Charles born Dec 13, 1857. they have raised William A. LAWSON son of other parents since he was 15 months. He was born Nov 27, 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Archer are memebers of the New Light Church of 10 years' standing. He owns 181 acres about half being plow-land and the rest woodland and pasture worth $7000. He is republican.