Micajah Franklin Berry, one of the sons of William Berry, capitalized on the vast experience of his grandfather Hudson Berry, and his grandfather, William Halbert, in the operation of their saw mills. He engaged in the lumber and timber business at Meridian. He established a saw mill and acquired a large amount of standing timber in that area. He sold lumber to the farmers, developers, contractors, and cross-ties to the railroads. He was a very successful businessman.