Near Cincinnati in Hamilton County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Inventor Obed Hussey Tests His Reaper, 1835
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, June 4, 2019
1. Inventor Obed Hussey Tests His Reaper, 1835 Marker
close up, showing text
Mechanical reapers enabled farmers to harvest much more grain than they could by sickle or scythe. In June 1835, in a field 800 feet southeast of Mill Creek, inventor Obed Hussey (1791–1860) tested what he upheld as the first successful reaper. Blacksmith John Lane, miller Jediah Hill, Hill’s son-in-law Henry Rogers, brothers Algernon and Thomas Foster, and others observed the test, the culmination of Hussey’s experiments with prototypes since the early 1830s. Hussey’s patent for a reaper in 1833 predated that of his competitor Cyrus McCormick (1809–1884) applied for in 1834. Initially, some preferred Hussey’s reaper to McCormick’s, although McCormick’s machines eventually dominated the field. In the late 1850s, Hussey and others sued McCormick for patent infringement and won, compelling the payment of damages by McCormick.
Erected 2017 by Brighton Mills, H. Nagel & Son Co. and The Ohio History Connection. (Marker Number 88-31.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection series list.
Location. 39° 15.139′ N, 84° 32.725′
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Jediah Hill Covered Bridge (a few steps from this marker); Mt. Healthy Christian Church (approx. 1.3 miles away); Greenhills (approx. 1½ miles away); Commemorating our Nation’s Bicentennial and Freedom of the Press (approx. 1.6 miles away); Greenhills Historic District (approx. 1.6 miles away); The Newell School (approx. 2.7 miles away); Bevis (approx. 2.7 miles away); John T. Crawford's Legacy (approx. 3.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cincinnati.
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, June 4, 2019
2. Inventor Obed Hussey Tests His Reaper, 1835 Marker
full view of marker
Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, June 4, 2019
3. Inventor Obed Hussey Tests His Reaper, 1835 Marker
marker as seen from a distance
4. Inventor Obed Hussey Tests His Reaper, 1835 Marker
picture of reaper on marker
5. Inventor Obed Hussey Tests His Reaper, 1835 Marker
picture of flour ad on marker
tintype photo courtesy of the New York Public Library, circa 1855
6. Obed Hussey
Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 5, 2019, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 547 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 5, 2019, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. 6. submitted on June 5, 2019. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
