Clyde's son Jim Lenon started helping at age 15 around 1920. In 1926, Jim built a "Jerk Line" well rig out of lumber, a 1915 dodge Touring car chassis, a novo one cylinder engine (made in Lansing), a cat head, and a rope in the derrick (tower). This rig was used until 1945.
and Jim right, taken around 1912
In 1945 after the World War II, the business picked up and Him bought a new rig a Sanderson Cyclone #35. It was almost fully automatic. Jim's son laverne started helping at high school age in 1945 and started drilling in May of 1953. Jim retired from drilling in 1975 and passed away in 1985. In the late 50's Laverne was drilled about 70 new and replacement wells per year. In 1960, a 20 W Cable Bucyrus Erie rig was purchased. At that time we started drilling 3" and 4" steel wheels instead of 2". It was in the customer's best interested to drill these larger wells at that time because of better production, newer pump models and less maintenance. Plus the equipment could drill the 3" or 4" wells faster and more efficiently. The 20 W rig was used until 1972 when our first rotary drill rig was purchased.
In the late 70's, the rotary was sold and focus of the business changed to service and repair. Many of the new a replacement pumps were subcontracted. In the early 80's, Laverne and his son Jim formed lenon Well Drilling and Pump Service and they bought a Bucyrus Erie 10R Rotary rig. They started drilling with PVC well casing which is still used today.
Bought in 1960
In 1990, Laverne retired from well drilling. His son Jim took over the business. Jim operated the business as Lenon Well & Pump Service until 2002. Lenon was family owned and operated from 1906 until 2002. In 2002, Jim sold the business to Scott and Jack Peru owners of Maurer & Parks Well Drilling, Inc in Lansing. Maurer & Parks Well Drilling, Inc has been a family owned and operated business since 1930. Lenon Well Drilling and associates are estimated to have drilled over 5000 wells in 100 years.
Laverne Lenon was a member of the Michigan Well Drillers Association, he was on the board from 1962 - 1970, Convention Co-Chairman 1966 - 1967, and Convention Chairman in 1968. It wasn't until 1966 that well drillers had to be licensed through the health department. Laverne received his license in 0966 and was the 50th driller in the state registered.
