While Cyrus was working out a controversy involving his patent of the reaper they lived in Washington , DC . She had a keen business sense and became a great asset to her husband . Nettie became his financial counselor and oversaw many of the business affairs . She toured expositions in McCormick 's interest making contacts for the company . In 1871 , the Great Chicago Fire destroyed McCormick Harvesting Machine Company . But , despite Cyrus ' thoughts of retirement afterward , Nettie insisted on rebuilding even larger than before
Great Chicago Fire
Great Chicago Fire
Nancy Fowler McCormick