Thomas Archer.

Picture publish date 1898.
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Thomas Archer, attorney at law and notary public, was born in Jefferson County, Ky., near Louisville, July 13, 1833. The next year his parents moved to Missouri, where he lived until he was seventeen years of age. He then went to Pittsfield, Ills., and after remaining there three years returned to Missouri, which was his home until he came to Kansas in 1857. Topeka was his first location after going to Kansas, and with the exception of three years spent in the army, has been his home ever since. He was engaged in brick-making one year subsequent to his arrival, and in lime-burning during the succeeding eighteen months. From the beginning he ran an "underground railroad" with John Brown and was with that patriot at the battle of the Spurs, fought near Holton, Jackson Co., Kan. and in his last trip through Missouri.

He enlisted August 8, 1861 in Company A, Fifth Kansas Volunteer Cavalry and served until August 11, 1864. He was shot through the shoulder at the battle of Pine Bluff, October 25, 1863, and lost the use of his right arm. Upon leaving the service he returned to Topeka and was for eighteen months engaged in the grocery business. September 1, 1864, he was appointed Deputy Sheriff and held that position twelve years, being Constable at the same time.

He was admitted to the bar March 13, 1872, and has been in active practice most of the time since. At one session of the House of Representatives he was Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms, and at the next Sergeant-at-Arms. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and has held all the offices in that order, having filled every chair in the subordinate lodge and encampment, and is P. M. of Grand Encampment. He is a member of the G. A. R., past post surgeon and a member of the Ancient Order of Templars, a temperance organization of which he is treasurer; also member and past chaplain of the Foresters. He was married in Topeka, September 26, 1867, to Ruth C. Hard, a native of Grand Rapids, Mich. They have two children--Lulu and Minnie.

Burial: Topeka Cemetery, Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas.