`Bell Talk`

Bill asks:

I am looking for information on the American Bell Foundry of Northville, Michigan. I have a bell #22 made there. My deceased father bought it in an auction in 1958 and I now have it. I think it was an old one room school bell, but that is all I know. Can you advise me where to get more information? I have searched the web and haven't found anything on American Bell Foundry. I also know nothing about bells. I think this one is made of iron or steel.

If you can help Bill, please post a response or send your response to coordinator@americanbell.org Thanks.

Admin

The American Bell Foundry was originated in 1899. The company made bells of all sizes for churches, schools, farms and factories. The most popular being the dinner bell. Northville was an industrial mecca for church and school furniture, butter churns, etc...... The bells were made in Northville before the Am Bell Foundry was started in 1899. The bells probably started in 1895 as part of the Globe Furniture Company's foundry operation. In 1896 the bells were being made under the name of the Am Bell Foundry. In April of 1899 the Globe was destroyed by fire and the AM Bell Foundry was organized. The new company manufactured bells and did general foundry and machine business. The company purchased the foundry buildings together with the old patterns. The bells were sold to Sears, Montgomery Ward and American Seating Co. By 1902 the company (30 employees) could not keep up with the demand with orders coming in from around the world. The company was sold in 1920 to J.B. Foote Foundry of Ohio and in 1924 it became the Bell Furnace & Manufacturing Co. The bell making probably ended in 1924.

We had one of the American Bell Foundry Bells (24" church bell w/wheel)in our yard and donated it to the historical society in Northville when we left the area in 1997. Try to get your hands on a paper bound book entitled Northville ... The first hundred years by Jack W. Hoffman

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Rick G. has asked me to post this response:

I too am looking to find more info on this foundry and bell manufacture. I recently became the proud owner of a ABF # 24 cast iron that was taken from a school house in north eastern Oregon or so the story goes. The only clue I have on the last home of the bell is photos of bell on the school and district # 22 on the side of the building. Some grandparents of a friend are in the photo are said to have torn down the structure and that is how they got the beast. It has the wheel, clapper, stand and is in reasonably good shape I believe………but I'm a newbee in this area. The only flaw is one of the splines on the wheel is broken and one has a surface crack the other two are fine.

The only lead I can share is when I Googled "Bowlden Bells" I can up with a reference to the DeGolyer Library Trade Catalog and specifically listing 1075 which states they have a catalog on Bowlden Bells # 12 from 1903 and is 36 pages. That is a far a I got. I do however have an e-mail in SMU asking for their assistance in getting a look see at the document. If I get a hit I will share it.

Still Looking

Rick G

Admin

This inquiry was originally sent to the ABA's Internet Coordinator. Responses are opinions of individuals based on their personal research and knowledge.

RE: American Bell and Foundry --- AKA --- Bowlden Bell

Rick writes:

Well this is turning out to be quite the journey. With hours of e-mails and $9.50 I'm happy to send you something I thought I would never catch up to the "American Bell And Foundry Company" catalog from 1903. I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I ordered photo copies of the catalog but when received it was beyond my greatest expectations. Quite simply put, the catalog is outstanding. It provides history, philosophy, descriptions of their products complete mounting instructions, belfry design, ringing instructions, care of the bell down to rope size and more.

The document answers lots of questions I had about ABF and the Bowlden bell. For instance, the name Bowlden bell refers to the type of bells they made, which would be "steel". Anyway I hope you enjoy the catalog and as I continue to track down the school from which it haled I will pass this info along as well.....should you be interested.

I hope all find the read as enjoyable as I.

Rick G

Rick has sent me a .pdf file showing the 19 pages of the catalogue. I will be looking into finding out if and how I can post it on the forum.

Admin

This inquiry was originally sent to the ABA's Internet Coordinator. Responses are opinions of individuals based on their personal research and knowledge.

Thanks are due to Rick for sending the .pdf file and to our webmaster at Shoestring Solutions Web Design for giving us a link to it. If you are interested in looking at the American Bell and Foundry Company booklet on bells and their catalog, please click on this link:

http://www.americanbell.org/files/ABFCat1903.pdf

You should be able to print out the booklet for easier reading since it is displayed sideways.

Hi,

I have just found your web sute as I have been looking for information on our American Bell Foundry #3 bell I bought at a farm auction from our long long family friends across the road. They have had it (and 1,000 old farm implements) in their family forever. I read with interest the catalog that Rick found on the bells and have downloaded the pdf, (Thank you very much!!!). I was wondering if Rick could tell me where to order the actual catalog from?

Thank you,

Greg

Years ago I had a printing company make copies of all the major bell foundries . These catalogs are very high quality and look identical to the original.The catalogs cost $25.00 which includes shipping.Thanks todd 419-350-7262

I have an AM Bell and foundry #12, cast iron 15 3/4" across base of bell. Interested in finding out when it was made
Thank you