Cyrus Hall McCormick, 1809-1884, perfected and got the credit for inventing the reaper which was
originated by his father, Robert. The development of the reaper was responsible for much agrarian
reform freeing many farmworkers to be a part of the work force joining in the great industrial growth of this nation. Cyrus, a Virginian, was of Scotch-Irish descent. His great grandfather, Thomas McCormick emigrated from Ulster in 1734. His mother, Mary Ann Hall was also Scotch-Irish.