Mr. Telfer graduated from Beloit High School in 1913 having made his mark as an athlete. He served as traffic manager and assistant general manager of Yates-American Machine Company and served as director of the Beloit office of the Rock County Relief Administration.

He was a former president of the Wisconsin State Association of City Managers and was past regional vice president of the International City Managers Association. Mr. Telfer believed in involvement and he personally gave his time and energies to things like the United Givers campaign and civic events. He had an interest in young people and children and participated in the Soap Box Derby, the Children’s Field Day, the annual Marbles Tournament and the yearly party for tots in Horace White Park on Easter Sunday.

He was working on the new Fourth-Broad Street Bridge extension at the time of his death. Archie Telfer died on October 2, 1960, after serving Beloit as City Manager since July 1, 1936. According to a Daily News editorial at the time of his death, Mr. Telfer “fought for sound fiscal policies,” which gave the City of Beloit a Triple A credit rating. He marshaled cooperation which gave the city a municipal center, a disposal plant, new fire stations, hospital expansions, another park and new schools. Telfer Park on Beloit’s northwest side is named in Mr. Telfer’s honor and his son, Robert, was among those honoring Mr. Telfer at dedication ceremonies.