Histories: Trempealeau Co. Historical Accounts:
"History of Trempealeau County Wisconsin,
1917":
Chapter 10:
Rainey Valley
-As
transcribed from pages 172 - 173
In 1865 John Rainey, with his wife, settled on lands in sections 19, 21
and 9; James Hunter, a son-in-law, settled on lands in sections 20, 21
and 9; John Berner on lands in sections 29, 19 and 9; and Truman Bric
on lands in 19 and 30, 19-9 west. They were the pioneers in the
valley.
The valley is about two miles long, and branching in section 20 runs
westerly one and a half miles into section 19. Later these lands
all changed hands; John D. Rainey soon became the owner of lands
settled by John Barner, and Samuel Rainey, James Pringle and others
settled in the valley, and numerous parties took up the hill and bluff
lands. The valley and the hill farms became valuable and have
long been some of the most desireable about the village of Arcadia.
In 1865 David Bennett and his brother William Bennett settled across
the river, northeast of Arcadia, and were also pioneers. John
Weaver may be said to have been an early settler, as may also Casper
Smith. John Rainey, James Hunter, John D. Rainey and Samuel
Rainey were the most prominent of the pioneers and early settlers in
the valley. Mrs. Catherin Hunter, later known as Catherine J.
Beveridge, took an active part in the interests of the valley in early
days.
(By Stephen Richmond.)