William Beatty Archer

William Beatty Archer (January 30, 1793 – August 9, 1870) was an Illinois politician and businessman. 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.

Early life Born in Scott County, Kentucky, Archer moved to Illinois with his family in 1817, settling on a farm in modern-day Clark County.

Career After Clark County was formed in 1819, Archer briefly served on the county's commissioners' court and circuit court before being elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1824. He continued to serve in the General Assembly until 1843, with terms in both the House of Representatives and the Illinois Senate. He ran for a Congressional seat in 1832 and lieutenant governor in 1834, though he lost both races. In 1836, he was named to the state's Board of Canal Commissioners, which oversaw the construction of the Illinois & Michigan Canal.

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. After Archer successfully contested the election result, a repeat of the election was held in 1856, but he once again lost.