1860 Was A Turbulent Year; 7 Companies Founded Then Survive 160 Years

The Pony Express began its first run from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento, California; Abraham Lincoln was elected 16th President of the United States; South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the Union. And these seven companies opened for business. Two are 7th generation family operations, three are 5th generation, one is a "mutual" organization owned by its policy holders - all are private. Join me in congratulating these seven amazing firms on their 160th anniversary!

Graafschap Hardware, Holland MI  7th generation

Guardian Life Insurance, New York NY  Mutual

James Thompson & Co, New York NY  (textile dyer & finisher)

Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Homes, Holland MI  5th generation

The Requarth Co, Dayton OH  5th generation (lumber & building products)

W.A. Bean & Sons, Bangor ME  5th generation (butcher)

Wilson Bohannan Lock, Marion OH  7th generation (manufacture padlocks)