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THE IRRIGATION AGE. 



CYRUS H. McCORMICK. 



A Word About a Great Man. 



When men of ordinary attainments die, and their 

 remains are laid away, the world giving them due 

 thought for a day or so, soon forgets them. 



The term ordinary is used to describe the man who 

 has made no distinctive, lasting success. To be sure, 

 these men whom the average citizen would term or- 

 dinary, may have had as high aspirations and may have 

 devoted as much energy and thought toward some great 



dividual. On the other hand, a misuse of it will send 

 him to his grave "unhonored and unsung." 



The genius of Edison and Westinghouse will for 

 generations be glorified in the great inventions which 

 their labors have given to the world. Among those 

 whose genius contributed great labor-saving machinery 

 to humanity and relieved of burdensome drudgery the 

 greatest of all occupations farming the name of Cyrus 

 H. McCormick must ever stand in the forefront. 



We are presenting in this issue a half-tone likeness 

 of Cyrus H. McCormick, the inventor of the Reaper. 

 Much has been written and a great deal said concerning 

 this subject, and THE IRRIGATION AGE is not disposed 



CYRUS HALL McCORMICK, 

 Inventor of the Reaper. Born 1809 Died 1884. 



end as those who have died after having solved prob- 

 lems which immortalized them. 



Men who achieve great success in the arts, in a me- 

 chanical way and in various lines which lift them to a 

 conspicuous altitude in a commercial sense, win only 

 by persevering effort. 



A man dies, who has perhaps produced a wonderful 

 painting which is the result of an inspiration. A com- 

 poser, in an inspired moment, brings out something in 

 the musical line which stirs the hearts of the world. 

 Perseverence in delving for hidden treasures in the earth 

 occasionally develops fabulous riches, and the proper 

 use of that wealth may perpetuate the name of the in- 



to try to outdo others in eulogizing him. It, however, 

 offers these few observations in connection with the illus- 

 tration, as a modest tribute to a man who came into the 

 world, performed a great service to his fellowmen, hon- 

 orably filled his place, and passed out, leaving the world 

 a more desirable place in which to live. 



This suggestion brings to mind the thought that 

 there are very few men in the business world today, 

 who having been left with such large fortunes and the 

 care of immense business interests, have conducted them- 

 selves as well as have the sons of Cyrus H. McCormick. 

 Chicago, and the country at large, may well be proud of 

 the members of this great man's family. 



