Fifty miles west of Chicago, amid the fertile farmland of northern Illinois, the town of Plano has been home to inventors and industry since its settlement in the 1830s. Farmers C.W. and W.W. Marsh brought their harvester to Plano where John Hollister helped perfect the invention, leading to the establishment in Plano of the first harvester manufacturing company. From two farmers’ despair, a businessman’s second fortune, and ultimately to a new chapter for Plano, the “Birthplace of the Harvester” produced innovative harvesting machinery for six decades.

Please join author Jeanne Valentine as she discusses her new book, Better Than The Reaper. Valentine will speak about the invention and manufacture of grain harvesters in Plano, the “Birthplace of the Harvester.” Copies of the book will be available for $10 and registration is recommended.