Bowie County deed records note that De Kalb Lumber Company was buying land near De Kalb as early as 1889 and continued to so until at least 1901. It was reported to be cutting 60,000 feet daily in 1893 at DeKalb.
The company was noted in the September 1898 edition of the “Report of Yellow Pine Clearing House Association.”
The American Lumberman noted in April 1899 that the DeKalb Lumber Company at DeKalb with its mill, railroad and locomotive was purchased by T. L. L. Temple of Southern Pine Lumber Company.