McGee, according to the 1860 Census, operated a multi-mill combination producing lumber, meal, and flour. He had $2,000 invested in the sawmill and $5,000 in the grist mill. He paid five men a total monthly wage of $125 in lumber operations, and three men $60 monthly at the grist mill. His raw materials included $4,500 in trees, $10,000 in corn, and $500 in wheat. The mills manufactured 700,000 feet of lumber worth $8,750, 11,600 bushels of meal worth $11,600, and 100 bushels of flour worth $650.