Guess wher the grain drill was invented ? Samuel and Moses Pennock (patented on March 12, 1841) did it in Kennett Square, It also was the site for their improvements for the corn sheller and harvester (1857), and the first four-wheel road machine (1877). Their business, S & M Pennock & Sons, eventually grew into the American Road Machinery Company.
Seems lilke the 'shroom capitol of the world also spawend other inventors such as James Green, inventor of a hay knife, Bernard Wiley, inventor of the famous Wiley Plow, John Chambers, inventor of the asbestos stove plate, and Cyrus Chambers, who patented a machine for folding papers and a brick making machine. It was on the Chambers property that the first circular saw in Chester County was built in 1835. Another large business, still operating, was Fibre Specialty Manufacturing Company, now NVF Co., which built its first plant in Kennett Square in 1898.
Kennett Square's most famous citizen was Bayard Taylor (1825-1878). A resident of Kennett Square, this nineteenth-century author, diplomat, poet, and journalist published over forty books, including Views A-Foot, Eldorado, a translation of Faust (which Mark Twain called the best of all English translations), and local favorite, The Story of Kennett. Bayard Taylor died in Berlin while serving as Minister to Germany under President Hayes.
Another famous citizen was Herbert Jefferis "Herb" Pennock (1894-1948). He was a great left-handed pitcher in the American League and later a Phillies' executive. His active career was in the American League with Philadelphia, Boston and New York. During his career, he won five World Series games and never lost one. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1948.
Formoreinformation go to: HISTORIC KENNETT SQUARE
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