San Joaquin County Biographies
Ref: Page 1268
Transcribed by: Linda Diane Jackson 9/29/2009
ALFRED W. ARCHER
The inventive genius of the Sterling Iron Works of Stockton, Alfred W. Archer is its chief engineer, and his determination to succeed in his chosen profession has brought him the merited reward. A native of the Golden State, he was born on Sherman Island, San Joaquin County, on September 16, 1877. His schooling consisted of a few years' attendance in the Salem School of Lodi; then he took up the study of mechanical engineering at home, and was fortunate to secure employment with the Holt Manufacturing Company in their machine shop, where the opportunities were of the best to make advancement along inventive and mechanical lines, his service covering a period of three years. Following his profession, he then traveled extensively throughout the world; was employed, for a time, by the Fresno Agricultural Works, of Fresno, Cal. and the Samson Iron Works of Stockton; then he worked for the British South Africa Charter Company in Rhodesia, South Africa; then he spent two years in various countries of Europe. At the end of this time, he returned to California and became the master mechanic for the largest lumber company on the coast, the Weed Lumber Company, located at Weed, Siskiyou County, Cal. About fourteen years ago he became associated with the Sterling Iron Works of Stockton and has designed all the patents and products of this company, among them being the famous Sterling turbine pump, which has since become extensively used not only in California but throughout the entire West. It took the skill and ability of a genius to design and put on the market this intricate piece of machinery and to Mr. Archer belongs the credit. William F. Barnricol is the efficient manager of this company. Twelve different styles of pumps are manufactured, all of which are thoroughly tested before leaving the plant, which is equipped with a testing laboratory, under the direct supervision of Mr. Archer. This company has installed many pumping plants on ranches throughout the valley and commercial plants as well and there are hundreds of them in use.
The marriage of Mr. Archer united him with Miss Alice L. Stevens, a native of Red Bluff, Cal. and they are the parents of two children, Elwood and Bettie Ann, both natives of Stockton, Cal. Fraternally Mr. Archer is a member of Stockton Lodge of Elks. He has never relaxed his diligence in the study of his chosen profession, always keeping abreast of the times on things mechanical, and by his industry and untiring energy he is acknowledged, by his business associates and residents throughout the state, to be among the best-informed and most practical engineers of Northern California.
History of
SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
With A
Biographical Review
of
The Leading Men and Women of the County Who Have Been
Identified with Its Growth and Development
from the Early Days to the Present
HISTORY BY
George H. Tinkham
HISTORIC RECORD COMPANY
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
1923
San Joaquin County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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