Archer was a member of the Illinois General Assembly from 1825 until 1843, during which time he also served on the state Board of Canal Commissioners and unsuccessfully ran for higher office twice.
He also founded the city of Marshall, Illinois, was a captain in the Black Hawk War, and supported Abraham Lincoln's vice presidential nomination at the first Republican National Convention in 1856.
[3] After leaving the General Assembly, Archer regained his position as Clark County circuit clerk in 1848 and held it until 1852.
He was also a delegate to Illinois' constitutional convention of 1847 and attempted another unsuccessful Congressional run as a Whig in 1854, this time losing to James C. Allen.
[1] He also served as a delegate to the first Republican National Convention in 1856, supporting his friend Lincoln's unsuccessful bid for the vice-presidential nomination.