Sem Newell, a brother of pioneer settler James Newell, came to Union Township in 1849. He purchased the land his home still stands on from the federal government in 1853 for $1.25 an acre. The original log cabin on the site was replaced by this limestone house built in 1863 of local stone and lumber.

Newell married four times and widowed three times. He had three daughters, whose jobs around the home included the knitting of stockings and mittens for sale to stores in Cedar Falls.

Finchford was originally known as "Newell's Ford," since the crossing was on land owned by Sem Newell. Sem is said to have donated land for the first general store/town hall in Finchford.

Like most pioneers in Iowa, men and women, Newell had many skills. In addition to being a farmer, he could clear timber, build a barn and fences, hunt, drive a team of mules and raise livestock. He could also play a homemade violin. The two Newell brothers played violins at the first dance held in the Finchford hall. They must have been good: tickets sold for $2.00 apiece.