Born into a successful farming family, he was a farmer and merino breeder outside of politics.
He purchased "Landfall" at Newnham in c. 1872; he also owned "Burnside" and properties at Point Effingham and Lauriston.
He was chairman of the Dorset Road Trust for 21 years, was a Justice of the Peace and local coroner, lay preacher in the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and member of the Esk Rabbit Trust and Invermay Board of Health.
[3] He died suddenly in office while bushwalking between Lilydale and Lisle in May 1902; although he had suffered some heart trouble, he had addressed his constituents at a large public meeting only two days before his death.
[4][1][5] Archer was from a political family: his brother, uncle, two nephews, four cousins and brother-in-law were all members of the Parliament of Tasmania.