The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1884-05-18
USEFUL LIFE CLOSED.
DEATH, the Reaper, uarvssts Power
that tho
Crowned Heads Of Europe Otter
H0nored, and
American Freemen Always Admired

Cyrus Hall Mccormick, the well-known
millionaire ard inventor, and proprietor OF
tho famous Mccormick reaper died yestor.
day morning Mt Z O'Clock mt his residence,
1855 Rush street He had been On inyaiic
for two years past, from partial psralysi.
OF the lower Limbs brought on by
severe rheumatic troubles, and was
compelled TO remain at home. HE
mental powers remained uflmplireu
during his enforced retir,mait from
active work. and he never ceased - over
see aud direct his vast business Interests,
holding frequent conferences with those IN
charge OF the different Departments. His
vitality and intellectual powrr remained
strong up to week or ten days ago, when
billty to bear the strain on his mind OF the
management OF his business. he
ally grew weaker, until the physi-
clan in attendance gave up all hopes Of raj.
lying him, and the family were informed
OF the near approach OF tho end. lie real.
lied the fact himself. and spoke calmly OF
the event, endcavorng 10 ease ,hsis sorrow
with tsndar words OF comfort He passed
away peacaiully, surrounded by his family
and few intimate friends his last words
showing an unsbaken faith 10 the promises
Of life everlasting.
Cyrus III. Mccormick was born Ia Wal
February 10, 1909, and was consequently
rs years old. His parents were OF Scotch.
Irish descent, ana he inherited from his
father an inventive turn OF mind that did
him great terylca while he was yet u yDuug
man. Born on farm he early saw that
agriculture was not Keeping pace with ms
Chenics and manufactures in Inventions for
the relief OF labor, and when 10 years old
he began his inventions for the i'm.
provement OF farm work by constructlng y
'cradle" which he used In the harvest field
with success. His father had previously
invented reaper, bat falling to attain the
success hoped for, IL ras laid aside. The
son observed the defects aHd patiently went
to work 10 remedy them. La 1881 he
first practical reaping machine. He
built it with his own hands,
and tested II in the harvest
field. Although successful in his
attempt, he did not nj once embark in tho
manufacture, but kept adding Improve
ments from time 10 time. About this
period he became interested In the smelt-
Ing of iron, and engaged in that business
until reversee came upon hira, and he re-
moved TO Cincinnati IN 1854. where he
made arrangements to manufacture the
reaper. Two years later, discovering
Chicago to b, better field
for the establishment of such a
business, he came here and ut once began
the work. In 1913 he made ana sold 200
machines, in the following y ar 1000, and
since thoi the annual sales have regularly
and rapidly increased until now not l. ss
than, SO 600 are sold every year. The Hon.
ReveYdy Johnson, In an arguments before
the missioner of patents in 1861, aaid
that the Mccormick reaper had already
contributed mn animal income to the whole
country OF sos 600 600 which must increase
through ell time. Tho world at large
has not been slow TO honor Mr.. Mccormick
for what he has done for agriculture Med
ais 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 honors Tor
his inventions.
He was the founder OF tho Presbyterian
Theological Seminary OF tho Northwest,
and at it's inception bestowed 800 600 10
endow proiessorship In it, and
from time 30 time, as coca
sion required, be increased his donations,
90 that they more than tripled the oigi-
nal gift. Recently he learned that the semi
nary required enlargement end houses Tor
the professors, and gave 500 900 Tor the
purpose. He save to the Washington and
Lee college. Of Virginia, $4,000, and few
but himself know how many struggling
churches, colleges and schools are indebted
to his generosity for means OF mainten-
oDce.
In view Of his benefcepcs cnd the world
wide reputation OF his reapiDg machine,
perhaps no other name Is more widely
known than that OF U. II. Mccormick. He
married, Il. 1858 the daughter OF the late
Meltzr Fowler and niece Off Judge II. G..
MerriclS, of Detroit, o most beautiful, ac'
compl.shed and refined lady, whose char
ity aua good deeds have eDdeArsd her TO
many hearts. There are flyo children row
living, two daughters and three sons, the
eldest OF whom, O. IL. Mccormick, jr., has
for some years been gradually working
into the management OF the immense busi'
ness left by his father. Mr. McCormick
was an active politician aud stood high in
the councils OF the democratic party, Ia
which he adhered. In 1872 he bought the
Interior, the organ Of the Presbyterian
church In the west, and has retained the
ownership ever since. The value oil
estate left by the deceased Is estimated In
the neighborho' d oil $4,000 900. Whatever
the exact figures, he was one OF the wealth
iest-it not the wealthiest-man In Chicago
-[Chicago News.