Newton M. Abbett was born in Kentucky in 1831, and in 1839 moved to Indiana. In 1865 he came to Minnesota and located in Dakota county, was there until 1872 when he settled on section 14, town of North Hero, Redwood county. He married in Indiana, in 1864, Mary Jane Bane.

Elias Bedal was born in Picton, Canada, October 17th, 1822. At the age of 24 he went to Illinois and a short time after to Berlin, Wisconsin, where he lived ten years, then came to Olmsted county, Minnesota, where he farmed until 1863. He then enlisted in Company C, Brackett's battalion and was discharged at Fort Snelling in May, 1866. He then engaged in the grain trade at Eyota until 1875, when he came to Walnut Grove, built the first grain elevator and has since dealt in grain. He has been president of the city council. Married in 1846, Miss Maria Clark, of New York. They have had six children, five of whom are living.

John R. Fitch was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, March 29th, 1849, and remained there until nearly eighteen years old, then came to Minnesota. He lived in Winona county six years, then on a claim in Murray county until 1873. In October, of that year, he opened his store at Walnut Grove. He was chairman of the board four years. In 1868 he married Josephine Rice. They have two children.

F. F. Goff was born in Oswego county, New York, May 24th, 1832. He began learning the trade of carriage making at seventeen which he followed until he enlisted in Company G, First N. Y. artillery in 1861. He was taken prisoner at Bristow Station and confined in Libby and Belle Island prisons four months. He was exchanged and on his return to his regiment was made second lieutenant; he was sent to hospital for sickness, and was discharged in January, 1864. He then went to Mexico, New York, and two years later to Tomah, Wisconsin, and engaged in carriage making. He lived in Plainview, Minnesota, and in St. Charles. In 1877 he came to Walnut Grove and after working at carpenter work three years, took charge of a lumber yard for Laird, Norton & Co. Married in 1855, Miss Delia Parkhurst. They have one daughter, Belle.

Dr. R. W. Hoyt was born in New Haven, Addison county, Vermont, February 14, 1852. At the age of eight years he went with his parents to Iowa, and from there to Fillmore county, Minnesota. In 1875 he graduated from Rush Medical College, Chicago, and located at Lenora, Minnesota. One year later he came to Walnut Grove, where he has since practiced his profession. Married in June, 1880, Myra E. Tester, of New Lisbon, Wisconsin.

Charles L. Webber was born in Racine, Wisconsin, in September, 1842. In the spring of 1862, he enlisted in Company E, 19th Wisconsin, and served until October 27, 1864, when he was taken prisoner at Fair Oaks, and held until just before the surrender of Richmond; he was discharged at Madison, and during the winter of 1865-6 attended commercial college at Milwaukee. In 1867 he settled at Eyota, Minnesota, and for three years clerked: then ran a lumber yard one year. Had charge of a store at Lafayette Mills, Wisconsin, for a time, then came to Walnut Grove and to a farm. In May, 1881, opened the store he now runs. In 1871, he married Lucy Bedal; has three children.