In 1874, this firm—variously named Key Stone Forge Co., Keystone Forge Co., or Keystone Portable Forge Co.—was active and making forges and blowers for blacksmithing. There was a Keystone Forge in Reading, Pa. (which may be related to Gray Iron Foundry & Manufacturing Co., Inc.), and we are uncertain whether the two businesses related.

Information Sources

• Thanks to correspondent Phil Sponem for turning up a couple of 1874 patents used by this firm, patents 148,652 and 164,512. Phil also reports a catalog for this firm that was distributed by New York dealer Manning, Maxwell & Moore. The catalog shows Keystone forges and blowers. One of the illustrated forges is labeled Keystone Forge Co., and another is labeled Keystone Portable Forge Co.
• Twelfth Exhibition of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association, September and October 1874. Reports of the judges,p. 23 "Key Stone Forge Co. (A. J. Wilkinson & Co., Agents, Boston), Philadelphia, Pa. One Foot Lathe; two Foot Lathes with Scroll and Circular Saws.—Very pretty Machines for amateur mechanics. We award a Diploma."
• 1874 Report of the Board of Commissioners of the Cincinnati Industrial Exposition lists Keystone Portable Forge Company, Philadelphia, Pa., as exhibiting the following.
  • "A portable forge, exhibited by the Keystone Portable Forge Co. Is light and portable, yet substantial in construction; possessing many merits over its competitor (from P. A. & F. M. Root, Connersville, Ind.) So we have no hesitation in awarding it the premium." It received a Bronze Medal.
  • "A rivet heating forge, exhibited by the same company. Is very light, convenient, and substantial, and well adapted to the purpose for which it is intended, and we think it possesses enough merit to entitle it to a premium." It received a Bronze Medal.
  • Power forge for blacksmiths... by the Keystone Portable Forge Co. Has no particular merit."
  • "Army and navy and miners' forge, exhibited by the same company, is a light, convenient, substantial forge, and well adapted to the purpose for which it is intended. So we commend it to your consideration."
• 1874-11-07 The Railroad Gazette reports on that years Exhibition of the Franklin Institute. "The Keystone Forge Company exhibit a great variety of their portable forges adapted to almost any use or for any trade." The Program for the Exhibition list Keystone Forge Co., Phila., Pa., as exhibition "Portable Forges" and "Lathes, etc."
• 1875-12-18 The Engineering and Mining Journal has an article on blowers manufactured by the Keyston Portable Forge Company.
• Undated, but likely 1891, book Historical Record of the Polytechnic College of the State of Pennsylvania, 1853 to 1890, in a biographical sketch of Gilbert R. Van Alen, mentions among his current holdings, "He is one of the owners of the nail works at Northumberland, and also of the Keystone Forge Company." Another biography of him, in a book on freemasonry, said that he is "secretary and treasurer Keystone Forge Company".
• 1905 Membership List of the Engineers' Society of Western Pennsylvania lists the following:
  • Biggert, John 0., March, 1903, President Keystone Forge Co., Tradesmens Bldg, Pittsburg, Pa., h., 514 Shady ave., Pittsburg, Pa.
  • Biggert, John P., April, 1903, Assistant Superintendent Keystone Forge Co., Tradesmens Bldg, Pittsburg, Pa., h., 514 Shady ave., Pittshurg, Pa.
  • Read, James 8., May, 1903, Superintendent, Keystone Forge Co., h., 232 Edmund st., Pittsburg, Pa.
• 1911 book A History of Bristol Borough in the County of Bucks, State of Pennsylvania, by Doron Green. "Stimulated by the large profits of the Bristol Forge and Iron Company during the brief period of its prosperity, a second organization was formed under the name and title of the Keystone Forge Company, with a capital of $87,000. An extensive plant was erected on the eastern side of the old railroad, south of Mill Street, but too late to receive any profitable business. Losses thus incurred absorbed nearly the whole capital..."
• 1911 book Genealogical and Biographical Annals of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. That year (1895) the Van Alen Company purchased the plant of the Keystone Forge Company, located at Elizabethtown, Lancaster Co., Pa., and moved it to Northumberland; this plant is now owned by the members of the Van Alen Company, Isaac Cornwall and J. D. Weekes. In 1908 the Van Alen Company devoted the entire mill to forge work and the manufacture of nail products, in which they give employment to about one hundred and fifty men. This establishment has been one of the thriving interests of Northumberland throughout its existence, bringing prosperity to owners and employees alike."
• 1916-02-24 The Iron Trade review. "Northumberland, Pa.—The Keystone Forge Co. contemplates the erection of a 2-story forge shop addition."
• March 1920 The Blacksmiths Journal. "The Keystone Forge Co., at Northumberland, Pa., was successful in persuading their employees to form a shop union, instead of affiliating with our organization. The men fell for the propaganda advanced by this concern, but now are beginning to realize their mistake. Instead of shorter hours, better shop conditions and a raise in wages, they are still working ten hours per day, and a good drop-hammer man receives the magnificent sum of 55 cents per hour and no relief in sight, due of course to the fact that the officials of the company are also the officials of the shop union. However, I look for a break there in the near future as the men are becoming discouraged with present conditions and realize the mistake of a company union. Brother Dineen. One of our organizers, sent me some valuable information about this affair. I might add that these men are pretty good fellows and ready to do whatever they can to straighten this matter out and get these fellows properly organized, for God knows they need it. The company employs in the neighborhood of 250 men and all are eligible to our organization."