Pg 249

         ROBERT E. ARCHIBALD, Auditor of Louisa County, Iowa, and an early settler of Wapello, was born in Cecil County, Md., March 17, 1832, and is a son of Robert and Levina (Trump) Archibald. The father was born in the same county, but was of Irish descent, his ancestors first settling in America prior to the Revolutionary War. The mother of our subject was born in Lancaster County, Pa., of Holland origin, her ancestors being of the old Knickerbocker Colony of New York, and the name, which was well known in the early history of the State, was Van Trump. The Pennsylvania branch of the family subsequently dropped the “Van,” leaving it plain Trump.

Robert K. Archibald received a common-school education, and was employed as a merchant’s clerk in his native State till he migrated to Louisa County, Iowa, with his parents in 1852, arriving at Wapello October 1 of that year. The family located in this city, where the parents passed the remainder of their lives, the mother dying March 11, 1868, and the father in September, 1872. There were originally nine sons and one daughter in the family, of whom only three are now living—Robert E., Rofus M. and William W. The former resides at Wapello and the latter at Burlington, Iowa.

After coming to this county our subject was engaged as merchant’s clerk till September, 1861, when he enlisted as a private in Company K, 8th Iowa Infantry, and was detailed as Hospital Steward and stationed in the General Hospital at Leavenworth, Kan., from which he was discharged in February, 1863, for physical disability. He re-enlisted May 14, 1864, in Company H, 45th Iowa Infantry, in the 100-days service, was promoted Second Duty Sergeant, served the term of his enlistment, and was mustered out Sept. 30, 1864. Returning to Wapello, he was employed as merchant’s clerk till 1870, when he formed a partnership with T. L. Garrett in the general mercantile business, under the firm name of Garrett & Archibald. That connection continued till 1873, when Mr. Archibald, in company with F. G. Anderson, under the firm name of Archibald & Anderson, opened a hardware store. In 1875 he sold out, and was engaged in clerking till October, 1883, when he was appointed Auditor of Louisa County to fill a vacancy. He was elected to the same office that fall, and was re-elected in 1885, again in 1887, and is now serving his third term.

Mr. Archibald was married in Wapello, Iowa, May 19, 1868, to Miss Mary F. Crilly, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Crilly. Mrs. Archibald was born in Licking County, Ohio, Nov. 17, 1839. Five children grace their union, four sons and one daughter: Frank D., born Feb. 20, 1869; Ed L., April 15, 1870; Will C., Dec. 1, 1871; Addie May, June 3, 1873, and Harry R., May 13, 1876. All were born at Wapello, Iowa. Mr. Archibald is a . . .

Pg 250

. . . Republican in politics, and has held minor offices in addition to the auditorship of the county. He is a member of Wapello Lodge No. 5, A.F. & A.M.; of A. M. Taylor Post No. 153, G. A. R., and of Wapello Lodge No. 112, A. O. U. W. Mr. Archibald has proved a faithful, industrious and competent Auditor, and the citizens of Louisa County have shown their appreciation of his services by retaining him in the office the third term.