The John Folkney sawmill, according to the 1870 Census for Harris County, had $2,000 invested in the sawmill, which was operated by a twenty-four horsepower steam engine, and $1,000 in a planing machine, which was operated by a fourteen-horsepower steam engine. The mill had $2,425 in raw materials. Five men were employed in the sawmill and earned a total wage of $900 in three months. Three men worked in the planing mill earning a total of $400 in three months. The sawmill cut 175,000 feet of lumber worth $1,925. The planing machine manufactured a product worth $700. Lumber from the sawmill and the planing mill was used in house building.