Books by Ray Burhop | Farm Reads

The Deerings of International Harvester

This is the story of the Deering family which became one of the richest families in the US during the first half of the Twentieth Century. It is the story of William Deering who risked his already substantial fortune by investing in a small company in Illinois which was manufacturing a reaper for the farming industry in America. Deering's business ability and his willingness to take on risk resulted in his being the sole owner of the Deering Harvesting Company. His company was second only to the largest farm equipment manufacturer, the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company. The Deering family and the McCormick families, both located in the Chicago area, were major rivals and fierce competitors. In 1902 the J. P. Morgan organization was successful in merging the two, giant farm equipment manufactures into one company to be known as International Harvester. International Harvester became the fourth largest corporation in the US by 1909, and the Deering family owned approximately one-third of that company. You will see how the Deering family blended into management of this giant corporation, their accomplishments both within the company and most importantly their philanthropic and other endeavors. The story will be told of the huge mansions the Deerings built, the changing relationships between the McCormicks and the Deerings and the major philanthropic and charitable efforts they have and continue to support. When one learns the story of these two families, one also learns the story of the huge corporation named International Harvester. "The McCormicks of International Harvester" written by Ray Burhop, tells the story of the McCormick family. This book can be considered the companion to that book as it completes the story of the two families which were the catalyst and driving force in the creation of International Harvester Corporation.

View Details

The McCormicks of International Harvester

This is a story of the McCormick family with its roots on a Virginia plantation in the 1830's. It is the story of Cyrus Hall McCormick and his family which evolved from that plantation to become one of the richest and most influential families in the US. The influence of this family has been felt around the world. The McCormick name can be placed alongside other influential family names such as Carnegie, Ford, Edison, Rockefeller, and J. P. Morgan.Cyrus H McCormick developed the reaper harvester machine which revolutionized farming worldwide. Cyrus, along with his brothers Leander and William established the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company. This company rapidly expanded and eventually became the basis for the International Harvesting Co. which at one time was the fourth largest corporation in the United States. While there are many facets of the McCormicks which will be touched upon in this book, it concentrates on the family as it relates to the development, success and demise of the original International Harvester Company. The story of the McCormick family and the story of International Harvester are embedded and cannot be successfully separated. It is the story of the McCormick family members who served as the chief executive managers and chief operations managers of McCormick Harvesting Machine Co. and International Harvester. It also tells of other McCormicks who distinguished themselves through achievements of great wealth and social influence.

View Details