MCCORMICK, CYRUS HALL

Born in Virginia on February 15, 1809, Cyrus McCormick (1805–1884) obtained a grammar school education and assisted his father in the operation of a 1,200-acre grain and livestock farm. While working on this farm McCormick invented a mechanical reaping machine that greatly decreased the amount of time it took to harvest wheat. He first developed his reaper in 1831 and spent the next 10 years perfecting it, making only a few, which were used on his father's farm.

By 1843, after bankruptcy and several unsuccessful attempts at a variety of business pursuits, McCormick finally decided to concentrate on making his fortune by producing and selling his reaping machine. In 1847 he moved to Chicago, the heart of U.S. agricultural trade, and opened a factory to manufacture his reaping machine. Though he was having problems renewing the patent on his reaper, he nonetheless organized a mass-production system in his factory, investing heavily in labor-saving machinery to aid his work force.

McCormick offered many incentives to farmers to buy his reaper. He provided deferred payments similar to credit loans and offered money-back guarantees on his product. He advertised everywhere and conducted numerous personal demonstrations of his reaping machine. These demonstrations were usually enough to convince farmers to buy it. On average, a farmer using a McCormick reaper could harvest 10 acres of wheat a day, compared to two acres without the reaper. McCormick also established a research department in his business and hired a staff to systematically improve his products. He paid good wages to his workers, and was one of the first large manufacturers of his era to negotiate with the labor unions.

By 1856 McCormick had accumulated over $1 million in profit from his operations, and continued to earn $300,000 annually. He also began investing heavily in Chicago real estate, increasing and diversifying his personal wealth. McCormick sold 250,000 reapers and mowers in Europe, and with much of his European profits he invested in U.S. railroads and South American mining interests.

McCormick devoted most of his life to work, and did not marry until age 49. His main interests outside of work were his religion and the South. McCormick was a devout Presbyterian, his main relaxation activity was discussing theological issues with Presbyterian clergymen. He lavishly gave to the Presbyterian church from the fortune he made in business. McCormick was a southerner by birth, and supported the cause of the Confederacy throughout the American Civil War (1861–1865).

Cyrus McCormick served as the head of his company until his death in 1884, at the age of 75. In his life he was rewarded with personal fame and awards from many governments for his worldwide contribution to agriculture. After his death, his son Cyrus McCormick, Jr. assumed control of the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company. In 1902 the company merged with four other companies and became the International Harvester Company, which later became Navistar International Corporation.

See also: Agricultural Equipment Industry, Mc-Cormick Reaper

FURTHER READING

Casson, Herbert N. Cyrus Hall McCormick, His Life and Work. Freeport, NY: Books for Libraries Press, 1977.

Hutchinson, William. Cyrus Hall McCormick. New York: Century Co., 1930.

International Harvester Co. The United States as it Appeared in 1831, When Cyrus Hall McCormick Invented the Reaper. Chicago, IL: International Harvester Co., 1951.

Ozanne, Robert W. A Century of Labor-Management Relations at McCormick and International Harvester. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press, 1967.

——. Wages in Practice and Theory: McCormick and International Harvester. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin Press, 1968.