W. C. Gough's sawmill at Negley appeared in a 1905 reference book of the Lumbermen's Credit Association. Webb reported that the community of Negley developed around the sawmill of W. C. Gough in about 1880. The post office was closed in 1908 and reopened four years later.
Webb reported that in 1940 Negley had a population of twenty-five and two businesses.