Archie Bush was born in 1887 on a farm in Renville County, Minnesota. By the time of his death he had amassed a fortune in service to a struggling sandpaper company that later became known as 3M, eventually becoming chair of the company's executive committee. In later years Archie devoted considerable thought and energy to redistributing his wealth to those who might benefit most from it through both the Edyth Bush Foundation and numerous entrepreneurial ventures, several of which continue to bring prosperity to his hometown of Granite Falls.

Carl T. Narvestad was born and raised in Wang Township, south of Maynard, Minnesota. He promoted and loved local history, as evidenced by his many publications about the surrounding area. He coauthored many of these with his wife, Amy. Archie Bush's story was one he worked on for many years but never ascertained who would be interested in publishing the biography. He admired how a man from a small rural community could go on to build one of America's largest corporations due to his entrepreneurship. (Carl also strongly supported local businesses whose products and services became nationally and internationally known.) It is a great honor to have his work on this biography enhanced and finished.

Carol L. Heen holds advanced degrees from the University of Minnesota in Music History and American Studies. Her career has been in academic, arts, and non-profit settings. A partner in Heen Century Farms, she has a deep commitment to local rural history, genealogy, and photo preservation.