In the late 19th and early 20th centuries Keokuk, Iowa was the home to several companies that manufactured tire setting machines, which are used to "shrink" steel tires onto the rims of carriage and wagon wheels. One of these firms was the National Hydraulic Tire Setter Co., with Charles A. Devero as superintendent and minority owner. In 1911 he sold out to the sons of the majority owner, H. M. Lourie, whereupon that firm changed its name to the Lourie Mfg. Co. and relocated to Springfield, Illinois. Devero was determined to continue making tire setters, so he built a prototype of a new design of tire setter and then established the Keokuk Hydraulic Tire Setter Co.

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 the 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.