RANDOLPH — Jones Well Drilling, Inc., a family business in Randolph, has stood the test of time and is celebrating its 140th anniversary this year.
Kurt Jones and his wife, Jodee, officially took over the business of drilling water wells this past January. Five generations of the Jones family have owned and operated the company that was started in 1884 by Kurt’s great-great-grandfather, the late Sylvester Jones, in Ashville.
The couple is very proud to continue the business. Jodee manages the office, taking service calls and helping with the drilling operations as needed, and Kurt and his employees — Chris Martin and Wyatt Adams — take on the hard day-to-day well drilling and servicing.
Kurt said he and his crew work in all types of weather, so it takes a special person to do what they do. He said they have missed a lot of family gatherings over the years.
“Well equipment doesn’t care if it’s Christmas Day or your family is visiting. Jodee and I have missed some weddings, birthday parties and other special occasions because a customer was out of water,” he said. “On those occasions, we try to take the kids along and make it a family affair. I am very fortunate to have Jodee and children that understand how important providing water is.”
In addition to well water drilling, the New York state-certified business also offers water pump installation and service, well rehabilitation and water treatment and water softening equipment and water conditioning.
Kurt said being a small business these days is getting harder and harder, from finding reliable workers to regulations and rising prices — just to name a few.
“Our company is extremely lucky to have Chris Martin and Wyatt Adams,” he said. “They are both hardworking and trustworthy which, I believe, are huge assets.”
The Jones Water Well Drilling rig is shown last summer preparing to drill a new water well.
AT A YOUNG age, Kurt was taught that hard work pays off. He learned that some days are going to be difficult and not every well is going to be an easy job.
“When you have a job that goes as planned or work for a customer that appreciates what you did for them, you also remember those jobs on the days when everything backfires,” he said.
According to the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, the average lifespan of a family-owned business is 24 years. About 40% of U.S. family-owned businesses turn into second-generation businesses, approximately 13% are successfully passed down to a third generation, and 3% to a fourth generation and beyond.
Jones Well Drilling is among the tiny 3% of businesses that have surpassed the statistics. Now in its fifth generation of family owners and operators, the company continues to provide necessary services to homeowners throughout Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties from its location at 10533 Route 242, near Napoli.
Kurt’s great-grandfather, the late Kenneth Jones, succeeded Sylvester, followed by his grandparents, the late James and Joy Jones, who took ownership in 1968. His father, Michael, took over in 1978 operating the business until his retirement in January, before the new generation stepped in.
As the next generation of owners, Kurt and Jodee reside in Randolph with their children Turah (12), Marin (10) and Kolten (5).
For more information, visit joneswelldrillingny.com. To request services, email jwdrilling1884@gmail.com or call (716) 358-6647.
