Sometime in the year 1870, Benjamin Bell took on his oldest son Charles F. Bell as a partner, and the Works became known as B. Bell and Son. The Works, under this new name, increased production of reapers and mowers and added new product lines: turnip drills were in demand by the local farmers, and a wooden land roller was developed. Also, they adapted a self-delivery apparatus to their prize-winning combined reaper and mower. A single-horse corn cultivator was placed on the market in that year. As in previous years, the Bells displayed their product line at local fairs and exhibitions, bringing home many first and second prizes.

A Setback

Few towns and villages escaped the ravages of fire in the nineteenth century. On April 13, 1877, at 3 o’clock in the morning, the Bell Works were nearly completely burned in a conflagration. Only the blacksmith shop escaped the fire. Eighty thousand dollars in damage was done. But despite this disaster, the St. George Agricultural Works was rebuilt and re-opened in May of 1878. Great improvements were incorporated into the new manufactory.

Expansion

The Bells continued to expand their business wherever possible. Increased demand for agricultural machinery was created by the migrations of people to the frontiers of Canada. The Northwest region, under the direction of the Federal and Territorial Governments, was opening and developing. Following this impetus and natural demand, B. Bell & Son began exporting to that area. In 1880, fifteen hundred ploughs were produced, mostly for the Northwest. This new market was especially accessible to the Works because it was located about one-half mile from the Grand Trunk Railway which facilitated cheap transportation to overland destinations. Machinery was also extensively shipped by rail to the Province of Quebec. As a consequence of increased demand for their products, B. Bell & Son added a brick building in December of 1881.

On January 31, 1886, Charles F. Bell, son of Benjamin Bell, passed away at the age of forty-six years. Benjamin Bell was forced to carry on the Works by himself. By this time, he was approaching his seventieth birthday. Inevitably, the time arrived when the founding patriarch looked for greener pastures. Benjamin Bell announced his decision to retire from active participation after thirty-four years as the directing force in the St. George Agricultural Works. On August 21, 1891 he announced that he would henceforth be represented by his son-in-law G.S. Wait. Along with Mr. Wait, Frank K. Bell, son of the late Charles F. Bell, at age twenty-six, co-operated in the operations and management. Less than one year later, Benjamin Bell passed away. He succumbed on March 6, 1892.