Benjamin Milks Niles was the son of John S. Niles and Elizabeth Lilly. He was born 29 January 1844 in Leon, Cattaraugus County, New York. He was raised in Windsor Township, Dane County, Wisconsin. Benjamin Milks Niles had typhoid fever when he was about 12 years old. He enlisted in Company B, 11th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment on 4 October 1861 in Madison, Dane Co., Wisconsin. According to the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, this regiment saw duty in Missouri, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Alabama and was involved in the siege of Vicksburg. Benjamin participated in a battle at (Fort) Blakely, near Mobile, Alabama about the 8th or 9th of October 1865. Afterwards, as the company was marching to Montgomery, Alabama, the doctor thought Benjamin was sickly and he was ordered to the hospital on Dauphine Island, Alabama. Benjamin was discharged in Mobile, Alabama on 4 September 1865. He went back to Windsor, Dane Co., Wisconsin and stayed with his brother Sherman. The Weir family lived next door and he and Maggie Weir got married. In his Civil War Pension file (#741 546, National Archives), Benjamin states that his back trouble began in August of 1864. In 1868 Benjamin moved to Marshall town, Marshall Co., Iowa. In May, 1873, he moved to Cedarville, Smith Co., Kansas. In December, 1874 he moved to Ross/Bedford, Taylor Co., Iowa. In 1890 and 1898 his address is listed as Hopkins, Nodaway Co., Missouri. From 1907-1910 he lived at Pawnee City, Pawnee Co., Nebraska. From 1910-1914 he lived at 1005 So. Main St., Ottawa, Franklin Co., Kansas. In May, 1929 he lived near Pawnee City, probably with his son Arthur. In April, 1929, he was very ill and bedridden. In October, 1929 he was judged incompetent and Arthur was named his guardian. He died 3 March 1930 at Arthur's house outside of Pawnee City.