Histories: Trempealeau Co. Historical Accounts:
"History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin, 1917":
Chapter 10:
In 1857 Lewis Niffin took up a quarter section of land about four miles above Arcadia, on a small creek that has since borne his name, being the first settler to locate directly above Arcadia. He erected a log hut near the creek, a few rods towards the Trempealeau River, from what is now the main road, between Arcadia and Independence. Mr. Niffin remained on his claim less than a year, when he abandoned it and left the country. In 1861 Richard Rook, an Englishman, came and picked out a location near Niffin's abandoned claim and put up a small building, but he was not favorably impressed with his new home and forsook it in a few months for a more suitable locality. Then came Alonzo Baker (about 1862) and took up a homestead in one of the branch coolies of Lewis Valley. But it remained for Capt. John D. Lewis to become the first settler in the main valley. In May, 1866, shortly after getting his discharge from the army, he took up the land now known as the Lewis farm and during the summer built a house and broke some land. The following summer, 1867, J. B. Gorton and Jonathan Busby moved into the valley.
(By Stephen Richmond.)
"History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin, 1917":
Chapter 10:
Lewis Valley
-As transcribed from page 169
-As transcribed from page 169
In 1857 Lewis Niffin took up a quarter section of land about four miles above Arcadia, on a small creek that has since borne his name, being the first settler to locate directly above Arcadia. He erected a log hut near the creek, a few rods towards the Trempealeau River, from what is now the main road, between Arcadia and Independence. Mr. Niffin remained on his claim less than a year, when he abandoned it and left the country. In 1861 Richard Rook, an Englishman, came and picked out a location near Niffin's abandoned claim and put up a small building, but he was not favorably impressed with his new home and forsook it in a few months for a more suitable locality. Then came Alonzo Baker (about 1862) and took up a homestead in one of the branch coolies of Lewis Valley. But it remained for Capt. John D. Lewis to become the first settler in the main valley. In May, 1866, shortly after getting his discharge from the army, he took up the land now known as the Lewis farm and during the summer built a house and broke some land. The following summer, 1867, J. B. Gorton and Jonathan Busby moved into the valley.
(By Stephen Richmond.)