John Thomas Bell ( -1885), managing partner in the firm of Tyzack and Bell
1886 Obituary [1]
Mr. JOHN THOMAS BELL, who died at his residence at Monkwearmouth on the 4th of December last, had been for nearly forty years managing partner in the firm of Tyzack & Bell, iron manufacturers.
Born at Wickham in the year 1809, Mr. Bell was in his early life trained to a knowledge of the iron trade at the works of the old Bedlington Iron Company on the Tyne. These were among the earliest works established in the North for the manufacture of finished iron, and were for many years carried on with notable success.
From Bedlington Mr. Bell proceeded to South Wales - at that time the principal seat of the iron manufacture of the United Kingdom - and for a number of years he occupied the position of manager of the Taff Vale Ironworks.
Returning to the North in 1846, he became manager of the Monkwearmouth Ironworks, and about two years later he was admitted a partner - the other members of the firm being the late Alderman Tyzack and Mr. Wm. Thackray. From this date Mr. Bell's career has been closely identified with that of the finished iron trade of the North of England; and in all that related to the growth and vicissitudes of that industry - in the Board of Arbitration and Conciliation, in the introduction of improved methods of appliances, and in meeting the varying requirements of the trade - he took a constant and active interest.
He was one of the original members of the Iron and Steel Institute, and attended several of the earlier meetings, but he had never taken any part in its proceedings otherwise. Some years ago Mr. Bell was struck down with paralysis, but he recovered sufficiently to be able to pay occasional visits to the works until within a few weeks of his decease.