ERNEST E. ARCHER
1888-1934
Dr. Ernest E. Archer, former mayor of Paintsville, World War
veteran, founder and head of the medical staff of the Paintsville
Hospital died in that hospital Thursday night, September 20.
His death was caused by a heart attack. Up until a few minutes
before his death he appeared to be in the best of health and
spirits. His death came as a great shock to his family and wide
circle of friends.
Funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the Mayo Memorial
Church, with the Rev. H. G. Sowards and Rev. W. I Center
officiating.
Burial was in the Mayo cemetery in Paintsville.
After leaving the church the Johnson County Post of the American
Legion took charge of his body and a military ceremony was held at
the grave.
Dr. Archer was born in Prestonsburg, September 22, 1888, the son
of George P. and Emma J. Archer, both of whom survive him.
Besides his parents he is survived by his wife Fannie Auxier
Archer, and five children James W. Archer, Mrs. Henry Holbrook,
George P. Archer, Martha Ann Archer, and Emily Elizabeth Archer,
all of whom live in Paintsville. Besides these six brother and
sisters survive. They are: Mrs. Elizabeth F. Wells, Arthur J.
Archer, Mrs. Henry B. Patrick, and Dr. John G. Archer all of
Prestonsburg, Mrs. Oliver Van Patton of Charleston, W. Va., and
George B. Archer, of Adrian, Mo.
Dr. Archer received his medical education at the University of
Louisville, later taking post-graduate work at Tulane University
in New Orleans and at John Hopkins University in Baltimore. Soon
after the opening of the World War he enlisted as a surgeon during
the duration of hostilities. He was discharged after the
Armistice with a rank of Major, which reserve rank he held a the
time of his death. After the war he returned to Eastern Kentucky
and began the practice of his profession in Paintsville.
In 1920 with Dr. J. H. Holbrook he established and built the
Paintsville Hospital. He was chief of staff of that institution
until his death. Recently a twelve room addition had been started
at the hospital and plans for even further improvements were in
the mind of Dr. Archer. Despite the heavy duties exacted by his
profession he found time to take an active part in civic and
social affairs of Paintsville. In 1925 he was elected Mayor of
the city and re- elected again in 1929. He served his city
faithfully for eight years. He was an active member of the Rotary
Club of which organization he was president last year. He also
took an active and enthusiastic part in the Johnson County Post of
the American Legion and the Mayo Memorial Church of which he had
been a member for years. Giving His Services To Rich And Poor
Alike Ernest Archer was a sincere and loyal friend. His jovial
disposition had endeared him to hundreds of patients and friends
and his loss will be felt more keenly as time goes on. His
popularity was evidenced by the large throng of people who crowded
the Mayo Memorial Church to pay him their last respects.
The Church was crowed to capacity and hundreds filled the halls
and over flowed into the street. Hundreds of Eastern Kentucky
people from every section of the Big Sandy Valley came to
Paintsville Sunday to attend the funeral. Legion Ceremony At
Cemetery. The Johnson County Post No. 117, of the American Legion
took a prominent part in the burial of their late comrade.
Dr. Archer volunteered during the early part of the World War and
was commissioned a captain in the Medical Corps and arrived in
France in May 1918. He served in the battle of Somme, St. Mihiel
and Meuse Argonne. At the close of the war he was cited twice
for his heroic part in the conflict.
Upon his return from the war, Dr. Archer took a leading part in
organizing the local post of the American Legion and was a charter
member of this organization and served as Post Commander for the
years 1925, 1926, and 1928.
The American Legion conducted the burial and the following legion
aires participated in the services: Color Bearers were Arch Fitch
and Hobert Hayes. Color Guards were R.M. Wilhite and Clarence
Wheeler. Chaplin Charles Williams. Bugler, Bruce Wiley.
Commander of Post Sammie Stapleton. Heber Ward Commander in
Charge. Active Pall Bearers, O.W. Cain, Boone Howard, C.R.
Cooper, Abe Barber, Z. Wells, Hatler Johnson, Nelson Howard, and
C.R. Brown. Firing Squad, John H. Chandler, Tommie Trimble,
Vernie Blair, Leathern Siler, Frank Clay, Carl V. Martin, Heber
Conley and Clarence Witten.
The service at the cemetery was largely attended and after the
firing of the volley the Bugler sounded “Taps” from the top of the
hill and the American Flag was then presented to Mrs. Archer. The
entire service was very impressive and very fitting in the burial
of their comrade.
Paintsville Herald
Thursday
Sept 27, 1934
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