Death of Cyrus H. McCormic.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 2003, 9 May 1885, Page 2 (Supplement)

Death of Cyrus H. McCormic.

This well known inventor, whose name will always be associated with improved harvesting machinery, died in Chicago, May 13, 75 years of age. He was born in Virginia, bis father being a farmer of mechanical bent, and the inventor of several machines, one of which was a reaper that was not found prac ticable. Young McCormic, experimented on a farm given^him by his father, and, after having invented a hand cradle and a hillside plough, experimented on the reaper, for which he obtained patents in 18:5 1. It was first placed upon the market in 1810. In 1815 he moved to Cincinnati, and in the same year secured pafcnts upon several important improvements in the machine. In 1817 he moved to Chicago, where he has since lived, and where he ereoted large works for the manufacture of his reapers. Up to 1818 he had not made the machines himself, but had had them manufactured by a firm at Brockporfc, N. Y. In 1818 he began building them himself, and mado seven hundred the first year. For some years past now the annual sales of the maohines have ranged between forty and fifty thousand. His famous invention brought great wealth to Mr. McCormick, and many honors as well. Gold medala and grand prizes were showered upon him at expositions, and Napoleon 111. gave him the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor. Hia wealth he used wisely and well. In 1859 he founded and liberally endowed tho Theological Seminary of the Northwest, at Chioago. He also endowed a chair in Waahiugton and Lee University, Virginia outeeeck a fine 26 inch refraoting telescope. He waa a member of the Presbyterian Church.