A Wisconsin Farmer Created the First Mechanized Marvel

Slice of Wisconsin: George Esterly’s early invention revolutionized agriculture in America during the 19th Century

Farmers have always been ahead of the times. It’s how the first mechanized marvel, created by a Wisconsin farmer, led to more efficient methods for planting, cultivating, and harvesting the fields.  

George Esterly moved to Whitewater in 1843. Toiling by hand in harsh weather, Esterly struggled to harvest his own large crop of wheat. He became determined to invent a mechanized machine to end what was backbreaking work. The following year, Esterly took his bold idea and built a mechanical reaper. He then harvested 10 acres of wheat in just one morning. It was something unheard of at the time.  

His invention became so successful it gained national recognition. The Esterly Reaper earned a gold medal from the Chicago Mechanics Institute in 1848. This victory set the stage for growth. Esterly opened a factory on the east side of Whitewater to produce a variety of farming tools, including plows, seeders, and mowers. The factory employed more than 500 workers at its peak in the 1880s. It also transformed the surrounding area into what became known as the town of Reaperville.

Esterly continued to create innovative agriculture tools. One was the broadcast seeder, built in the 1870s. Before this invention, farmers had to scatter seeds by hand and then plow the soil to cover the seeds. The Esterly Broadcast Seeder streamlined this work, combining the scattering and covering of seeds in one step. This advancement made the planting process faster and more efficient. And it again solidified Esterly’s place as a pioneer in American agriculture.

Today, Esterly’s contributions to farming practices are a remarkable “Slice of Wisconsin” in agriculture history. His inventions helped transition work from hand labor to mechanized efficiency, making it possible for agriculture to thrive across the country.