From History of Madison County, W. H. Beers & Co, Chicago, 1883
The number of mills in this township have been few, and most of those only temporary. As to saw-mills, of course the demand for them in any country depends upon the amount and value of its timber, and, as much of this township was a prairie and without timber, it would be self-evident that mills would here have a limited business. The first saw-mill we receive an account of was erected on Deer Creek, near Christian Smith's farm, about 1830-32, by John C. Robison. This was run by water conducted in a race from the river above, and then into the river below the mill. This at first was only a saw mill, but soon a set of buhrs was attached for grinding. After a short period, Mr. Robison sold out to Mr. Gosley, and he to Joseph Chrisman; then it came into the ownership of Jonathan Harvey, who put in an engine and run it by steam. He died and the mill was purchased by Hannah & Wood, and while in their ownership was burned down. Then it was rebuilt as a water-mill by William Harvey. About 1865, Mr. Gregg purchased the property, and has since continued to run the mill. A saw-mill had been kept up and run in connection with the grist-mill till within a few years, when it had fallen into a very dilapidated condition, and they ceased using it. Mr. Gregg, however, has a portable saw-mill, located on Turkey Run near the schoolhouse. About 1835, Jonathan Farrar erected a saw-mill near the mouth of Oak Run, and subsequently erected a grist-mill attached to it; just how long this mill continued in operation we did not definitely ascertain, but suffice it to say it has long since passed out of use. On Deer Creek, about half-way between the Gregg and the Farrar Mills was a saw-mill, erected by a Mr. Deffenbaugh, but which has also long since disappeared.