Hugh Foley had sawmilling experience. He was listed in the 1910 Census as a “manager, lumber company,” living in San Augustine County, at precinct 1, residence 141.
In October 1917, Tilford Hunt Lumber Company of Nacogdoches advanced to Foley-Noble Lumber Company an amount of money equal to the value of its sawmill to run. In payment, for six months would send its entire output from the saw and planing mills to Tilford Hunt Lumber Company.
Foley and Noble were names associated with sawmilling in the San Augustine and Shelby county area. C. E. Noble would continue in the sawmill industry in the Sabine River area until World War II.