Todd operated a sawmill and grist steam mill (valued at $2,800) in Shelby County according to the 1870 Census. He employed six men for nine months at the saw mill and for three months at the grist mill for a total wage of $1,200. With $1,250 in raw logs and 4,800 bushels of corn at a total value of $4,800, the mill produced 300,000 feet of lumber worth $3,000 and cornmeal worth $5,280.
He advertised in The Laborers Champion issue of November 29, 1877, that he could fill orders “double quick” at his steam gin and saw and grist mill, located west of Buena Vista. The mill was not enumerated in the Census of 1880.
By 1893, it was cutting 18,000 feet daily.
In 1895, it was mortgaged to Garrison, Avery, & Co.
On January 25, 1895, T J Todd mortgaged to Garrison Avery & Co “all the lumber at my mill or that may be sawed by me.”