The  stage  coach  ran  from  Solomon  to  Minneapolis  and back  the next day.  It  carried  the  mail  and  eight  passengers.  Sometimes  they  changed their route to escape the Indians.

David  Hoag  was  instrumental  in  getting  the  railroad  up  the  valley in 1876.  He was a Harvard graduate and taught at Niles,  served as Probate Judge,  and  postmaster  in  Minneapolis  and  later a  lobbyist  in Washington D.C.    Everyone  was  excited  over  the  first  run.  Lizzie  Casebeer  rushed into the house, changed her dress, and went on the first run to Minneapolis and back

Niles  was  first  named  Arcala  (not  on  map)  but  this  name  changed to  Niles,  suggested  by  George  Carbaugh  who  had  come  from  Niles,  Ohio. He also organized the town of Georgetown.  1/2 mile away. The first wedding certificate was issued at Georgetown.  Rev. Pittenger was an early minister. There was  quite a  struggle between  the  two  towns,  but Niles  finally won out and Carbaugh moved his town to Niles.  He had the first general store.
Charley  Bell  had  the  post  office  at  Verdi,  and  it  was  moved  to Niles and he was the first postmaster.
Elmer  Brown  was  the  first  druggist  and  served  later  as  postmaster sold  insurance  and was  a  notary public.  John  Davis  and Lewis  Akins were hardware  and  implement  dealers.  Some  of  the  other  citizens,  and  their businesses  were.   Matt  Armour,  blacksmith;  Leidigh  and  Havens  Lumber, McDonald's,  a beer joint; Nancy McDonald,  millinery,  later owned by Louise Dwyer;  Julia  Spaulding,  a  restaurant;  Johnson  Hotel;  George  Denio,  paper hanger. Dr. Saunders was the first physician, then came Dr. J.A. Phillipson. Henry  Keuker  was  the  first  depot  agent  and  first  grain  and  livestock  buyer to ship to Kansas City. Dan Murphy built and owned the first elevator which was run by Henry Keuker.  Mac Shepard,  who had installed a telephone system  of  nineteen  phones  at  Bennington,  extended  his  system  to  Niles,  Mrs.  Henry  Keuker  had  the  switchboard  in  her  home,  along with  the post office
The  early  settlers  were  very  devoted  to  each other  and  often went miles on horseback to help in sickness and death. It was not all hardships. They made their own entertainment and had very enjoyable times.

(From Files of Ottawa County Museum:


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