Lucky Valley, Iowa - a old town from the past

At one time Lucky Valley, a little inland town located four miles west of Anthon, was one of the best towns in the valley until the railroad came through the site that is now Anthon. John Jerman, brother of the late J.O. Jerman is credited with bringing this little town into exsistence. He bought 80 acres in that locality and petitioned for the post office. This was granted, and he started the town, calling it Lucky Valley. The town was platted in 1882. After the post office was established, Lucky Valley grew rapidly.
   Two shurches, the Methodist and Catholic church, were buildt in 1883. Rev. Stephens was the first pastor of the Methodist church. He was followed by N.H. Farnum, E.P. Morgan, O.L. Snow, J.W. Daggett, M.S. Metcalf, G.S. Clift and Charles Yotter.   Father Tierney was the first pastor of the Catholic church. This shurch was later moved to Anthon.
   In less than five years after the post office was established there were approximately 20 residences, two general stores, a meat market, blacksmith shop, a small hardware store, a school, two churches and a newspaper called "The Lucky Valley Era", edited by Thatcher and Ashby. The newspaper was not a success and lasted two years. W.V. Currence, father of Mrs. J.N. Cluver, carried the mail between Lucky Valley and Anthon in the years 1899 to 1903. Minor Mead built a small tavern, but it disappeared.
It only seems fiting that some of the pioneer families who helped build the Luck Valley community should be given recognition.
Among them area:
   Philip Eisentraut, one of the familes who did a great deal for their church and community; Asa Smith, farmer, father of the late Jake Smith and grandfather of Mrs. E.A. Jett; Charles Harmon, farmer, father of the late Pyrl Murray; John Gothier, farmer farther of Frank and Louis Gothier and Mrs, Jeff O'Connel; J.P. Newton, farmer; Hiram Blair; farmer; Tom Coyle, father, grandfather of Mrs. Henry Arnold, Mrs. Walter Williams, and Mrs. Rachel Neifert; Dr. Myers, who practiced medicine around Lucky Valley, father of the late L.R. and Arthur Myers, and grandfather of Mrs. John Eickson and Mrs. Roy Thonpson; James Renneker, farmer, father of Mrs. C.A. Bennett; Lucius Bennett, farmer; Earlyhigh Bennett, a Baptist minister; Joe Jerman, a farmer who owed a great deal of land and grandfather of Mrs. Merle White; John Brown, farmer, father of Clarence Brown of Sheldon, and grandfather of Jack Brown, Mrs Opal Schram, Eldon, Freeman, Donald, and Paul Brown; Louis Fixsel, farmer, father of Mrs. Louis Rupp and Mrs. Martin Pridgeon, and grandfather of Jack Brown and Opal Scram; W.V. Currence, farmer, father of Mrs J.N. Culver; and D.D. Malcomb, farmer. His farm, origanilly purchased from Hiram Blair in 1882, has been in the Malcomb family for 81 years.
   In early 1930's only the church remained in Lucky Valley, and at that time the road came through and took part of the church yard. The Building was sold to James Hoult, moved, and some of the material used in building a home.

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