Starting in the 1880s, King began to set up stores, banks and freighting operations in locations which he expected to be destinations on the westward expansion of the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad. This later became the Chicago and North Western Railroad. His company was C.H. King and Company. By his strategic vision, he was ready to supply pioneers and settlers. In the process, King was instrumental in the development of Chadron, Nebraska. While the King family lived in Chadron, two of their five children were born there, including Leslie.