Pumped up!
In 1950, Ivan Fay Dohm started a well drilling business in Dowagiac, Michigan. A few years later, he bought a Bucyrus Erie drilling rig, built in Milwaukee, and mounted it on his truck. In 1963, he upgraded to a new GMC truck. The family believes that drilling rig, now in someone else’s hands, remains in use today.
Longevity in this business applies to people as well as equipment. Brother and sister Kelly Schaus and Chris Gamble, two of Ivan’s six grandchildren working alongside other family members, represent the third generation to operate Dohm Well Drilling.
Born into the business, Kelly and Chris have seen their shared interest in pumps evolve over time. Their collection began with old hand pumps produced by Goulds Mfg. Co. and Flint & Walling Mfg.
