Nimrod Hankins came to Cofachique, Allen County's first settlement and county seat, in 1855 when Kansas was still a territory. When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in Company E of the 9th Kansas Cavalry, rose to the rank of 1st Lieutenant, and served until 1865. After the town of Iola was formed, Hankins and Josiah Colborn, Iola's husband, entered the mercantile business together on the southwest corner of Madison Avenue. Their building was later replaced by the Coutant building, at the site where men later sat on a light pole to watch the Ringling Bros. Parade.