The Lincoln-Manny Connection

In September 1855, C. H. McCormick of Chicago began suit in the Federal Court to enjoin the Manny Company from using a certain device, upon the grounds of infringement of patent. One of the lawyers retained by the Manny Company was young Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln came to Rockford on a hot summer day in July, 1855, to discuss this case with John H. Manny and his business associated. Lincoln was told that he would receive $1,000/ He returned to Chicago that night.

The case was heard before Justice McLean and Judge Drummond at Cincinnati, Ohio, although the Court records were kept in Chicago which belonged to the same circuit. Attorneys of national reputation were retained. Mr. McCormick’s counsel were Reverdy Johnson and N. E. Dickerson. Peter H. Watson, who had obtained Mr. Manny’s patents, was given entire charge of the defendant’s case. Mr. Watson had formerly resided in Rockford, and later he became Assistant Secretary of War. He employed George Harding, Edwin M. Stanton and Abraham Lincoln. It is said that E. B. Washburne had recommended Mr. Lincoln to Mr. Manny.

When all the parties arrived in Cincinnati, Mr. Lincoln was informed by Mr. Watson that Mr. Stanton would close the case for the defendants. This was a great humiliation to Mr. Lincoln. Although he had prepared his arguments, Mr. Lincoln did not argue the case. Mr. Lincoln first met Mr. Stanton at Cincinnati. Mr. Stanton treated him with great discourtesy during the trail, and referred to him as a rail splitting from the wild West. Notwithstanding these indignities, Mr. Lincoln was impressed with Mr. Stanton’s great force of character, and when six years later a man of iron was needed, President Lincoln made Mr. Stanton his Secretary of War. No other incident in the life of Mr. Lincoln better illustrates his moral greatness. The trail resulted in the victory for the Manny Company. The decision was announced January 16, 1856. The defendant’s expenses of the suit were $60,000, but this large sum was made from the business in a short time. Mr. McCormick appealed the case to the United States Supreme Court where the decision of the lower court was affirmed and Mr. Manny’s rights as inventor were fully sustained. Mr. Stanton received $10,000 and Mr. Lincoln $1,000, which was the largest fee he had received up to this time.

The prolonged mental strain incident to perfecting his inventions and the trail of the suit undermined Mr. Manny’s health. He fell prey to consumption (tuberculosis), and on January 31, 1856, he passed way in his modest home on South Main Street, just after celebrating his thirtieth birthday. HE never realized the wealth which his inventions would bring to others, the prestige which they would give to the Reaper City, nor the great name which he had made for himself. He is certainly one of the most famous citizens to be buried in Rockford. As the inventor of the Manny Reaper, he contributed greatly in revolutionizing the expanding agricultural industry of this country. Mr. Manny’s grave in Greenwood Cemetery in Rockford is marked by a huge, marble shaft which bears carvings depicting the invention of the reaper. Because of the famous inventions of John H. Manny, Rockford was known as the Reaper City.