John A. McShane of Omaha, Nebraska, purchased large tracts of virgin timber in northwest Hardin County and began building a sawmill there late in 1903 to supply his retail lumber yards. The mill began regular operations in April the following year, and at various times the mill's capacity was reported between 85,000 and 125,000 feet per day. The mill's stumpage estimate in 1905 was fifteen years. McShane operated a two-mile company tram road from Dearborn to its logging camp. In 1906, the Company had extended the tram another six miles, and added a 20-ton Baldwin locomotive to its rolling stock. It is believed the mill was cut out around 1918, dismantled, and moved to Louisiana.
John A. McShane, was president; John A. Creighton, vice-president; W.J. Foye, general manager; E.L. McShane , secretary; F.W. Dearborn, superintendent of mills.
Little interest was expressed by McShane in the export trade in 1905.
The town of Dearborn was named for one of its early mill mangers, Frank Dearborn of Lake Charles, Louisiana. The company town in 1905 had a population of 800, a commissary, thirty-five houses, and a school. The company paid $4,500 per month in wages during that year and employed 175 men. The logging ram had eight miles of road, two locomotives (one a Baldwin), and 22 tram cars. Dr. H. B. Pedigo served as the company physician.