The first water wheel power sawmill in Iosco County was owned by Alva Wood and located on Sand Creek in Grant Township. The waterwheel weighed 1 ½ ton and developed 35 hp on the belt. Lacking enough water to successfully power the mill, Wood moved to Emery Junction in 1882 and sold the equipment to Asa Rodman. After the purchase, the mill equipment was moved to Silver Creek. The mill remained in the Rodman family for 80 years. In the spring, it ran day and night, with as many as 24 men working under the large pumps.