In 1871 , the Great Chicago Fire destroyed much of the Reaper Works and other buildings , as well as the Leander McCormick family residence at the corner of Rush Street and Ohio Street , . Leander , his wife and children fled their burning home in the early morning hours . They moved to the west side of the city for the next several years . The McCormicks , under Leander 's direction , quickly rebuilt and recovered . By 1879 , the business had fully recovered and was merged into a corporation . Leander stayed active in the management of the business until his retirement in 1889
Great Chicago Fire
Great Chicago Fire
Leander J. McCormick