CHAPTER VII.
PYMOSA TOWNSHIP (CONT'D).
In August, 1855, Pymosa township was officially organized, and comprised part of the present townships of Atlantic, Benton and Washington, the election for officers being held at the house of Jefferson Goodale. J. C. Cannon was chosen clerk; Irvin Lorah, assessor; James Brinkerhoff, justice; Irvin Lorah, constable; Jefferson Goodale, William H. Howard and Joseph Doner, trustees. About ten or twelve votes were cast at this election.
Since the reorganization of township, in 1870, Pymosa township includes the territory technically know as township 77, range 36. Agriculturally considered, it has probably as great a proportion of tillable land to total area as any of the sixteen townships which go to make up the county. It is well supplied with running streams, has good roads, productive farms and excellent improvements.
The Nishnabotna river flows diagonally through the township from northeast to southwest, coming in from Audubon county about the northeast corner of section 31. Buck creek has its source in numerous little rivulets commencing in the northwestern part of the township, and flows in a generally southerly course until it passes into Brighton township at the southwest corner of section 30. These streams, with their numerous tributaries, afford the best of drainage facilities for land, as well as an unfailing supply of water for stock and agricultural purposes. The Nishnabotna is wooded to a greater or less extent along its entire course through the township, and the other creeks and branches are timbered in a lesser degree.
The Audubon branch of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad intersects the township diagonally, passing near the northeast and southwest corners, as it enters and leaves its borders. The main line of the Rock Island road cuts off a small corner of section 31, in the southwest corner of the township.
In the spring prior to the original organization of the township, the Pymosa postoffice was established at the log cabin of James Brinkerhoff, on section 11, with Mr. Brinkerhoff as postmaster. As stated, he was elected justice of the peace, among the first township officers, in the following autumn. Mr. Brinkerhoff was a Pennsylvania man, but came to Iowa from Ohio, in the fall of 1854. He had a family of five or six children and was considered a good and kind neighbor and citizen. He remained in the township until 1861, when he removed to Colorado and died in that State.
At first there was no mail pouch received at the Pymosa postoffice, but the mail was delivered from the Cold Spring postoffice (Mormon settlement near Indiantown) at Iranistan, which was on the through stage route east and west, by whatever resident of Pymosa who might happen to come along that way. This was probably the second postoffice established in the county, and was some time afterward discontinued.
"Compendium and History of Cass County, Iowa." Chicago: Henry and Taylor & Co., 1906, pp. 113-114.
Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass, January, 2014.
