The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1884-05-22
TWO NOTED MEN DEAD.
Death OF Cyrus HILL Mccormick,
One OF The Worlds Zen.
cfactOrs.
Close Of tho Long and Active Lilo Of
Charles 0'Oonor, tho Great
Jurist.
Cyrus u. Mccormick.

Cyrnn lIah Mccormick. TIN wcll.known
millionaire and inventor. aud proprietor Of
the famous Mccormick reaper, died At his
homo In Chicago on the 18th Of May. He
had been an invalid for two years mst,
from partial paralysis OF the lower limbs
brought on by severe rheumatic troubles,
and was compelled to remain nj home, His
mental powers remained nnimpaired during
his enforced retirement from active work.
md he never ceased To oversee and direct
his vast business interests, His vitality and
intellectual power remained strong mp IL
within few days of his death, when he
complained of great weakness md inability
to bear tho strain ON his mind of the man.
agement of his business. lie took to his
bed, and gradually grew weaker, until the
physician In attendance gave up MI hopes
If mllying him, and the family were In
formed Of the near approach " the end.
He realized the fact himself. and spoke
calmly Of the event, endeayoring to case
their sorrow with tender words of comfort.
He passed away peacefully. surrounded by
his family and few intimata friends, his
last words showing IN mistaken faith In
the promises of Il life everlasting,
Cyrus II. McCurnick was born IN Rock
bridge County. Va. Feb. Ii, 1909. aud was
consequently u years old His parents
were II Scotch Irish descent. and HI inhcr-
tied from his father an inventive turn Of
mind that did him great service while he
was yet yonng man. Born on farm. he
early saw that agriculture WAS not keeping
pace with mechanics and manufacturer IN
inventions for the relief II labor, aud when
Ii years old he began his inventions for the
improvement of farm work by constructing
"cmdle. which he used in the harvest
field with success. Ills father had preyi-
ously invented n reaper. but. failing 10 at.
tain the success hoped FOR, Il was laid
aside, The son observed the defects and pa
tiently went to work To remedy them, In
1871 he achieved his aim aud gave to the
world the first practical reaping machine,
He built il with his own hand. and tested il
In the harvest field. Although successful
in his attempt. he did not at once embark
in tho manufacture. but kept adding im-
rroyements from time ta time. About this
period he became interested in the smelling
of iron. and engaged in that business until
reverses came upon him. aud he removed to
Cincinnati in 1874, where he made arfnngc-
ments to manufacture the reaper, Two
years later. discovering Chicago To bo q
better field for the establishment of such 4
business, he ut once began the work. In
lsiS he made and sold 700 machines, in the
following year 900. since then the annual
sales have regularly and mpidly Increased
until now not less than $4,000 ARE sold
every y,ar, The Hon. Revcriv Johnson.
in an argument before the Commissioner
Of Patents in lsaa. said that the McCormiek
reaper had already contributed an annual
income to the whole country III So. 100. 900,
which must increase through all time. The
world nj large has NOT been slow 10 honor
MIR. Mccormick for what he has done for
agriculture. Medals and decorations have
been bestowed on him by the crowned heads
Of Europe, and at every international worlds
fair ever held he WAS awarded superior han-
ors for his inventions.
He was the founder If the Presbyterian
Theological Seminary Of the Northwest,
and at its inception bestowed 800. .O,N To
enaow u professorshlp III IL, and from time
to time. MS occasion required, he Increased
his donations, SO that they more than tripled
the original gift, Recently he learned thai
the seminary required enlargement and
houses for the professors. and gave $luO.
900 for the purpose. He gave IL the WASH
ingtan and Lee College, Of Virginia, aud
few but himself know how many struggling
churches, colleges, and schools are indebted
to his generosity for means of maintenance,
In view Of his henehecnee. and the world.
wide reputation Of his teapinS. machine,
perhaps no other name il more widely
known than that of Z. IL. Mccormack.
Mr.. Mccormack was an active politician.
and steod high in thu councils If the Demo-
cratic party. 10 which he adhered, In lssa
he bought the iatsrior, the organ II III,
Presbyterian Church in the West, and has
retained the ownership ever since, The
value Of the estate left by tho deceased il
estimated in the neighharheod of $a0. .u,s,.
900. Whatever the exact figures, he was
one of the we.lthiest---if not the wealthiesi
--~men in Chicago