The Bass Foundry and Machine Works at Fort Wayne is the largest establishment of the kind in the State, and, as a car wheel foundry, the largest in the United States. It constitutes a very prominent feature of the great industries of Indiana, and is one of the best evidences existing of the great enterprise which has placed Fort Wayne on the road to success as a manufacturing city. The works consist of eight buildings, (an engraving of which is presented in connection with this sketch.) and cover ten acres of ground, located at the intersection of Hanna street and the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago railroad. They were first established in a small way, in 1858, by Messrs. Cooper, Bass & Co., as a car wheel foundry, who continued the business till 1855, when Mr. Cooper retired, and the firm style was changed to Jones, Bass & Co. This firm struggled along until 1857, when another change was made. At this date the works were removed to the present location, and a joint stock company was organized under the title of the Fort Wayne Machine Works. Under this arrangement, Messrs. Hanna & Bass were the principal proprietors, and continued the business until 1858, at which time Mr. J. H. Bass, the present proprietor, assumed charge. He first leased the works for one year, but through a careful and successful management, he soon became proprietor of the whole concern Mr.Hanna was associated with him until 1869, when he died, leaving Mr. Bass the sole proprietor. This gentleman continued the business alone until 1873, during which time he enlarged the works, erected new buildings, and more than quadrupled the business of the establishment. In the latter year a stock company was again organized, with a paid. up capital stock of five hundred thousand dollars, under the title of the Bass Foundry and Machine Works, which it still holds. Mr. I. H. Bass was elected president of the company, which position he still holds.
    The has been the chief proprietor and manager of the establishment since 1868, and the success of the works during these years has been unparalleled. In 1858, the first year in which he controlled the business, it did not probably exceed fifteen thousand dollars, but it has been steadily and rapidly increasing. In 1873, the business transacted by this company exceeded one million eight hundred thousand dollars, and, as already mentioned, the works have grown to be the largest of the kind in the United States. This is certainly an evidence of the great business enterprise of Indiana, and not less so of the high business talents of Mr. J. H. Bass.
    One of the compilers of this work visited the establishment in October last, and found, even in the dull times, every building a scene of activity. The car wheel shop, which is perhaps the very center of life of the works, is a brick structure sixty five by four hundred feet, having a capacity of turning out two hundred and fifty wheels a day. This is the largest foundry of the kind in the United States. From it car wheels are sent to Pittsburgh, and throughout the whole west andnorthwest, every where attesting their superior quality. The general foundry is a brick building, seventy five by one hundred and fifty feet. This, however, during the present year, will be converted into a machine shop, and a new building, sixty five by three hundred feet, will be erected for the general foundry. Adjoining the present general foundry, is the machine shop, fifty by one hundred and thirty feet. This will be enlarged with the completion of the building referred to, by the addition of the present general foundry, seventy five by one hundred feet. Just west of the machine shop is the wood working shop, fifty by one hundred feet, and west of this is the boiler shop. forty by one hundred and forty feet North of this is the blacksmith shop and forge room, seventy by one hundred and twenty feet. The offices of the concern are in a two story handsome brick structure, located on Hanna Street close to the railroad crossing, and nearly in the center of the works. This building is thirty by sixty feet, and is elegantly furnished. The offices are furnished with all the modern improvements, and are tastefully appointed, and supplied with many conveniences. In the upper story of this building are the drafting rooms.
    Mr. Bass has always made a specialty of car wheels, in the production of which his immense foundry has made an enviable reputation throughout .the whole nation. The wheels produced at his works are sought after by nearly every road within reach of them, and the demand upon his facilities for producing them is increasing quite as fast as he is increasing the capacity of the establishment.
    Besides car wheels, Mr. Bass is producing steam engines of an approved make and quality, boilers, mill, and heavy machinery of all kinds. The melting capacity of his works is equal to one hundred tons of pig iron per day.
    But Mr. Bass has not devoted his whole attention to this one enterprise, although the results he has produced during
the last ten years in connection with it seem to be very large for the work of so short a period. He has also an extensive car wheel foundry in St. Louis. Mo., or rather he is the principal owner of it. This is located on Sixteenth Street and the
Pacific railroad, and consists of two large brick buildings, with a capacity of over twenty five tons a day. This institution has been in operation over five years, and has already proved a success financially, and promises a brilliant future.
    Mr. Bass has also a car wheel foundry in Chicago, of which he is sole proprietor. It is located on Forty seventh street. near the Rock Island shops, and consists ot two spacious brick buildings. This establishment has the exclusive patronage of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific railroad, and is increasing its business rapidly by receiving the business of other roads in the northwest.
The few hints we have given of the successful enterprise of Mr. J. H. Bass, will show that he is reaching out widely in his commercial operations, and as we shall see, is meeting with constant gain. Besides his general foundry and machine works, he has in Fort Wayne, St. Louis, and Chicago, facilities for turning out Three hundred and fifty car wheels per day.