Edd Horn's sawmill near Rhonesboro is mentioned in Loyd's A History of Upshur County, Texas. It was located about a half-mile from the dam and lake. Horn built a trace to bring water to his plant.
The Census of 1870 noted that this sawmill was d a capital investment of $1,000. Raw materials included $5,000 worth of logs and $4,000 worth in in 5,000 bushels of unmilled grain. Three men were employed for twelve months at a total wage of $1,000. The operation manufactured 1,565,000 feet of lumber valued at $22,475, and milled $5,000 worth of grain.