J. V. Lankford operated sawmills at various sites in Angelina County for more than thirty years: just north of Redland in 1907 and 1908; four miles west of Lufkin from 1909 to 1912, at Iron Bridge three miles west of Lufkin from about 1914 to 1917, at Collwood (Hoshall) about 1917, at Manton/Platt from 1918 to 1919, on the Michelli Grant from 1920 to 1934, and at Redland from 1934 to 1941, when he retired. Very little has been recorded about his lumber business.