Early Settlers Of Kansas-Sherman And Rose Archer
By Pansy Nelson

Sherman Archer was born October 22, !870. He came from Ohio with his parents when very young. His father homesteaded south of Densmore where he received his early schooling.
However, his mother died when he was nine years old. From then on he shifted very much for himself. He lived with his brother, Joe, and his wife Laura, for a few years. He worked in the fields or whatever work he could get to help finance himself.
When sixteen years old he went with his brother, Freeman, and found employment in Nebraska. He remained there for some time as both he and Freeman found employment. While there he met a beautiful young lady, Rose Skiles. They fell in love and were married July 3, 1890.
Sherman brought his bride to Kansas in 1892. He homesteaded six miles north of Logan. He and Rose got the last homestead which was issued in Lincoln Township with the original patent signed by President Mc Kinley.
A dugout was the first home of the Archers. Later a sod house was built. As they prospered and their family grew in numbers, a larger and better dwelling was needed. A rock and frame house was built about one mile north of the homestead. That house still stands on the old farm place. The homestead has never been sold or mortgaged. Tracy Archer. an older son, now owns the land and it is still being farmed.
Both Sherman and Rose gave their lives to Christ in their early adulthood. There was "family prayer" in the Archer home each morning and evening. Sherman felt the call to the ministry and began as a "circuit rider" often riding a horse and later a team and buggy, to preach in outlying places. The country schoolhouse provided a meeting place.
He continued to farm for sometime after becoming a minister. Sherman was a successful farmer and it was difficult for him to answer his calling. His children were taught to work and could do any chore there was to be done on the farm. They, with their mother Rose, kept the farm operating when Mr. Archer had to be away.
As time passed, Sherman was giving more time to the ministry and he finally left the farm and started serving as pastor for the Free Methodist Church. He served as pastor in Almena, Penokee, Crossroads. Meade, Winona, Osborne, Cave, Concordia and finally returned to Logan as pastor.
He was the instigator of the building of country churches, serving as Elder of the Church for four years, Conference Superientendent for eight years and Conference Evangelist for a year. All in all, he served the Free Methodist Church, in many capacities for 48 years. His membership was always with the Free Methodist but he worked with all denominations. He was often called to fill the pulpit after retirement and continued this until a short time before his death.
Reverend Archer was interested in education. Having a large family of his own, he gave of his time to the community. He served on the school board in Lincoln Township for 18 years and served as county commissioner for several years.
While on the farm, Sherman and Rose traded their farm products in Logan and shopped with the merchants there. They knew the Hansen family well. Dane Hansen never turned down a plea for help and gave heavily when asked to contribute to a church cause.
The Archers retired to a home in Logan in 1943 where both passed away. Rose died in 1951, Sherman in 1952. Eight surviving were together for a reunion on September 20, 1978. Their children were: Luther, Jenny, Tracy, Elizabeth, Lola, Pansy, Carrie, Eva, Vesta and Malin.
I'd like to contribute this writing as it is the way I remember our home, on the farm in Kansas.