Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
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Description area
Dates of existence
History
The Bell Organ and Piano Company, also known as the Bell Pump Organ Company, was founded by brothers William Bell (b.1833) and Robert Bell in Guelph in 1864. Born in Dumfries, Scotland, they were the sons of William and Mary (Wateret) Bell. First located on Upper Wyndham Street and later on Carden Street, William assumed management in 1865 and merged with McLeod, Wood & Co. in 1867 to form Bell, Wood & Company. In 1871, the company opened a new three-story factory on Market Square in Guelph. By 1881, the company had 200 employees and made 1200 instruments a year, primarily melodeons and reed organs. William created a partnership in 1884 with his son W.J. Bell (1863-1925), as well as Mrs. W.B. Kennedy, and A.W. Alexander under the name W. Bell & Co. From 1884 to 1908, William was also the President of the Guelph Junction Railway.
In 1888, the company was sold to a British syndicate and became the Bell Organ and Piano Company Limited. In 1907, the name changed again to Bell Piano & Organ Company. The company’s pianos became known worldwide and were owned by the likes of Queen Victoria, the kings of Italy and Spain, as well as a Turkish Sultan. By 1920, player pianos, electric reproducing pianos, phonographs, piano benches, radio tables, and cabinets were also being produced by the company.
The company was bought by John S. Dowling of Brantford, Ontario in 1928 and became Bell Pianos Ltd. Dowling sold the company to Lesage Pianos Ltd of St, Therese Quebec in 1934, who eventually closed the Guelph factories.