Manufactured Wheelwright's Machinery
Information Sources
- 1914 book Story of Lee County Iowa, page 263.
In the fall of 1849, S. S. Vail & Company began operating a foundry and machine shop on the corner of Sixth and Blondeau streets. About a year later Aaron Vail became a member of the firm and in 1856 the works were removed to new buildings on teh corner of Ninth and Johnson streets, at which time the name was changed to "Buckeye Foundry." Several changes in ownership, or in the personnel of the firm, occurred during the next decade. From 1865 to 1870 the plant was conducted under the management of Vail, Armitage & Company, which firm was succeeded by Sample, McElroy & Company. Still later the concern became known as the McElroy Iron Works. The plant is now operated by the Keokuk Hydraulic Tire Setter Company, which manufactures the Little Giant Tire Setter, steam generators, metal tanks, fire escapes and structural steel.