1886 - Samuel Curtis Johnson, a carpenter in Racine, WI bought the parquet flooring business of the Racine Hardware Co.; 1888 - introduced Johnson's Prepared Wax to help his customers take care of their floors.

1912 - Leon Leonwood (L. L.) Bean founded L. L. bean in basement of his brother's apparel shop in Freeport, ME; obtained a mailing list of nonresident Maine hunting license holders, sent three-page flyer about Maine Hunting Shoe (leather uppers stitched to workmen's rubber boots - comfortable, functional boot for exploring Maine woods); received 100 orders, got 90 returns (rubber bottoms separated from leather tops); gave full refunds; learned value of personally testing his products, of honest advertising based on firm convictions, of keeping customer satisfied at any cost (service-based philosophy); 1934 - 52-page catalog; 1937 - sales surpassed $1,000,000; 1951 - L.L. Bean opened store 365 days a year, 24 hours a day; 1987 - employed almost 2,000 year-round workers, another 1,000 during peak season; July 2000 - extended retail store presence beyond Maine for first time, opened store in McLean, VA; 2005 - produced 61 catalogs distributed to customers in all 50 US states, more than 140 countries; over 14.5 million customer contacts were received, over 179,000 came on single busiest day of year; December 2005 - over 85,000 orders placed online in single day.

1917 - J. J. and B.A (son) Simon, Latvian immigrants, established Table Supply Meat Company in Omaha, NE; 1952 - first mail order venture (meats shipped in dry ice-filled, wax lined, cardboard cartons - by train); aided by direct parcel shipping, polystyrene shipping coolers, vacuum packaging; 1961 - Nebraska Governor Frank B. Morrison sent Table Supply Meat Company steaks to all U.S. Governors and President Kennedy; 1963 - first direct mail flyers and catalogs sent to customers; 1966 - name changed to Omaha Steaks International; 2006 - two fifth-generation family members now play major roles in managing the company.

1980 - Gérard Glotin, Chairman of Marie Brizard (creator of first anisette in 1755) identified 74 companies with company longevity (minimum age of 200 years), permanence (family must be owner of company or majority share holder, one member of founder must still manage company or be member of board), in good financial health, modern; 30 selected; 1981 - first meeting of Heniokiens Association of Family and Bicentenary companies in Bordeaux; named for Henok (or Enoch), great patriarchs (Caïn’s son, Methuselah’s father, lived before flood, was 365 years old when he ascended to Heaven without having died); 2007 - 40 members in craft industries, trades, services, publishing, heavy industry: 15 Italian, 10 French, 4 German, 1 Dutch, 1 from Northern Ireland, 4 Japanese, 1 Belgian, 2 Swiss (at head of their companies, unique, dynamic managers).

July 14, 2009 - Decline of small business: 2Q 2007-3Q 2008 - Businesses with 1-19 employees (mostly family-run) lost 757,000 jobs (source: Bureau of Labor Statistics) = 53% of all private-sector losses for group of companies with about 20% of nation's employees; lowest profits, fewest capital spending plans since 1973 (source: National Federation of Independent Business).

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(Amarillo National Bank), Thomas Thompson (1978). The Ware Boys: The Story of a Texas Family Bank. (Canyon, TX: Staked Plains Press, 293 p.). Amarillo National Bank--History.

(Balthazard et Cotte), Pierre Cotte (1999). Une Affaire de Famille: Balthazard et Cotte ou Deux Siècles D'aventure Industrielle. (Paris, FR: Archives & Culture, 119 p.). Balthazard et Cotte (Firm)--History; Lime industry--France; Family-owned business enterprises--France; Family-owned business enterprises--Succession.

(Bane-Clene), Wm. F. Bane; edited by Mary Kay Matson and Oka Negley (1996). We Did It Their Way (Indianapolis, IN: Media Associates, 231 p.). Bane-Clene Corporation--History; Carpet cleaning industry--United States--History; Family-owned business enterprises--United States; Customer services--United States; Success in business--United States.

(L.L. Bean), L.L. Bean (1960). My Story; the Autobiography of a Down-East Merchant. (Freeport, ME: The Company, 163 p.). Bean, L. L. (Leon Leonwood), 1872-1966; Sporting goods.

(L.L. Bean), M.R. Montgomery (1984). In Search of L.L. Bean. (Boston, MA: Little, Brown, 242 p.). Bean, L. L. (Leon Leonwood), 1872-1966; L.L. Bean, Inc.--History; Businessmen--United States--Biography; Mail-order business--United States--History; Camping equipment industry--United States--History.

(L. L. Bean), Leon Gorman (2006). L.L. Bean: The Making of an American Icon. (Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press, 336 p.). Grandson of Founder, Company President (1967 - 2001). L.L. Bean, Inc.; Camping equipment industry--United States; Mail-order business--United States. How to shape powerhouse brand around bedrock beliefs, values; how to balance growth and tradition; how to craft, preserve authentic corporate identity.

(B. H. Blackwell Ltd.), A.L.P. Norrington (1983). Blackwell's, 1879-1979: The History of a Family Firm. (Oxford, UK: Blackwell, 181 p.). Blackwell family; B.H. Blackwell Ltd.--History; Booksellers and bookselling--England--Oxford (Oxfordshire)--History; Publishers and publishing--England--Oxford (Oxfordshire)--History.

(Albert Bonniers Forlag), Mats Larsson (2001). Bonniers - en Mediefamilj: Forlag, Konglomerat och Mediekoncern 1953-1990. (Stockholm, Sweden: Albert Bonniers Forlag: Institutet for Ekonomisk Historisk Forskning vid Handelshogskolan i Stockholm, 416 p.). Bonnier, Albert, 1907- ; Bonnier family; Albert Bonniers Forlag; Publishers and publishing--Sweden--History--20th century; Family-owned business enterprises--Sweden--History--20th century.

(Bouchayer & Viallet), Robert J. Smith (2001). The Bouchayers of Grenoble and French Industrial Enterprise, 1850-1970. (Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press, 247 p.). Emeritus Professor of History (SUNY College at Brockport). Bouchayer family; Bouchayer & Viallet (Firm)--History; Industrialists--France--Grenoble--Biography.

(Cape Gate Fence and Wire Works), Mendel Kaplan, with Solomon Kaplan and Marian Robertson (1979). From Shtetl to Steelmaking: The Story of Three Immigrant Families and a Family Business. (Cape Town, SA: Kaplan-Kushlick Foundation, 144 p.). Kaplan family; Cape Gate Fence and Wire Works--History; Jews--South Africa--History.

(William Clowes and Sons), W.B. Clowes (1953). Family Business, 1803-1953. (London, UK: Clowes, 81 p.). William Clowes and Sons.

(Day & Zimmermann), Jeffrey L. Rodengen (2001). The Legend of Day & Zimmermann. (Fort Lauderdale, FL: Write Stuff Enterprises, 151 p.). Day & Zimmermann; Family-owned businesses.

(De Kuyper), K. E. Sluyterman and H. H. Vleesenbeek (1995). Three Centuries of De Kuyper: A History of Geneva and Liqueurs, 1695-1995. (Schiedam, Netherlands: De Kuyper. De Kuyper Royal Distillers; distilling industries--Netherlands. Story of a deeply conservative, family-owned firm.

(Dodson Brothers Exterminating Co.), Dawn Hensley Fisher & William H. Young (2000). Bert: A Memoir of Bertram F. Dodson, Sr. (Lynchburg, VA: Warwick House Publishing, 397 p.). Dodson, Bertram Felix, Sr., 1926-1989; Dodson family; Dodson Brothers Exterminating Co., Inc.; Businessmen--Virginia--Biography.

(Finsbury Distillery), David Wainwright (1990). Stone's Ginger Wine: Fortunes of a Family Firm 1740-1990. (London, UK: Quiller, 124 p.). Finsbury Distillery; Alcoholic drinks Production History London (England).

(Grupo Empresarial Bemol/Fogás), Samuel Benchimol (1993). Grupo Empresarial Bemol/Fogás: Lembranças e Lições de Vida. (Manaus, AM: S. Benchimol, 146 p.). Benchimol, Samuel; Grupo Empresarial Bemol/Fogás--History; Family-owned business enterprises--Brazil--Manaus--History; Retail trade--Brazil--Manaus--History.

(Genuardi Super Markets), Frank O. Genuardi with Russell Rush (1995). Family Pride: A Memoir. (Jeffersonville, PA: F. O. Genuardi, 99 p.). Genuardi Super Markets--History; Grocers--United States--Biography; Supermarkets--Pennsylvania--History; Grocery trade--Pennsylvania--History; Family-owned business enterprises--Pennsylvania--History.

(Gidlunds Forlag), Gertrud & Krister Gidlund (2002). Ett Litet Bokforlag: Grundat 1968. (Hedemora, Sweden: Gidlund, 376 p.). Gidlund, Krister; Gidlunds fo¨rlag (Sweden)--History; Publishers and publishing--Sweden--History--20th century; Family-owned business enterprises--Sweden--History--20th century.

(William Grant & Sons), Grant Gordon and Nigel Nicholson (2008). Family Wars: Classic Conflicts in the Family and How To Deal with Them. (Philadelphia, PA: Kogan Page, 288 p.). William Grant & Sons (fifth generation); London Business School. Family-owned business enterprises--Management; Family-owned business enterprises--Succession; Family-owned business enterprises. Independent family distiller for 5 generations. Ups, downs of some of biggest family-run companies in world (Ford, Gucci, McCain, Guinness, Gallo, Redstone); origins, extent, resolution of some of most famous family feuds in recent history; how family in-fighting has threatened their downfall; way families do business, how family in-fighting can threaten to blow business apart. 

(Guinness), Jonathan Guinness (1997). Requiem for a Family Business (London, UK: Macmillan, 390 p.). Guinness family; Guinness (Firm)--History; Brewing industry--Great Britain--History.

(L. S. Heath and Sons), Richard J. Heath with Ray Elliott (1995). Bittersweet: The Story of the Heath Candy Co. (West Frankfort, IL: New Authors Publications, 416 p.). Heath family; Heath, L. S. (Lawrence Seymour), 1869-1956; L.S. Heath and Sons--History; Family corporations--United States--Officials and employees; Businesspeople--United States--Biography.

(Johnson Wax), Samuel C. Johnson (1988). The Essence of a Family Enterprise: Doing Business the Johnson Way (Indianapolis, IN: Curtis Publishing Co., 179 p.). Johnson Wax--History; Business enterprises; Corporations; Business ethics; Family corporations--Wisconsin--Racine; Success in business--Wisconsin--Racine; Industries--Wisconsin--Racine; Racine (Wis.)--Economic conditions.

(Archibald Kenrick & Sons), Roy A. Church (1969). Kenricks in Hardware; A Family Business, 1791-1966. (New York, NY: A. M. Kelley, 340 p.). Archibald Kenrick & Sons.

(Lancaster Newspapers Inc.), John H. Brubaker, III (1984). The Steinmans of Lancaster: A Family and Its Enterprises. (Lancaster, PA: Steinman Enterprises,, 219 p.). Steinman family; Publishers and publishing--Pennsylvania--Lancaster County--Biography; Businesspeople--Pennsylvania--Lancaster County--Biography; Lancaster County (Pa.)--Biography; Lancaster County (Pa.)--History.

(Groupe Lesieur), Tristan Gaston-Breton (1998). Lesieur: Une Marque dans L'histoire, 1908-1998. (Paris, FR: Perrin, 450 p.). Groupe Lesieur--History; Vegetable oil industry--France--History--20th century; Family-owned business enterprises--France--History--20th century.

(Longaberger), Dave Longaberger with Robert L. Shook (2001). Longaberger: An American Success Story (New York, NY: HarperBusiness, 234 p.). Longaberger, Dave; Longaberger Company--History; Basket making--Ohio--History; Basket makers--Ohio--Biography.

(Louisville Courier), Alex S. Jones and Susan E. Tifft (1991). The Patriarch: The Rise and Fall of the Bingham Dynasty (New York, NY: Summit Books, 574 p.). Bingham Family, Newspapers, Publishing, Louisville Journal-Courier Demise of family empire due to succession disputes and family rifts.

(Mallory), James P. Baughman (1972). The Mallorys of Mystic; Six Generations in American Maritime Enterprise (Middletown, CT: Wesleyan University Press, 496 p.). Mallory family; Shipping--Connecticut--Mystic--History.

(Mitchells/Richards), Jack Mitchell (2003). Hug Your Customers: The Proven Way to Personalize Sales and Achieve Astounding Results. (New York, NY: Hyperion, 272 p.). CEO, Mitchellsl/Richards. Mitchell, Jack; Mitchell/Richards; specialty retail; customer service; family business.

(Mucunabitu Iron Works), Ropate Rakuita Qalo (1997). Small Business: A Study of a Fijian Family: The Mucunabitu Iron Works Contractor Cooperative Society Limited. (Suva, Fiji: Mucunabita Education Trust, 242 p.). Mucunabitu Iron Works Contractor Cooperative Society; Small business--Fiji--Case studies; Family-owned business enterprises--Fiji--Case studies.

(New York Times), Alex S. Jones and Susan E. Tifft (1999). The Trust: The Private and Powerful Family Behind the New York Times (Boston, MA: Little, Brown, 870 p.). Ochs Family, Sulzberger Family, Newspaper Publishing, New York Times Company Bought by Chattanooga (TN) businessman Adolph S. Ochs (1858-1935) in 1898, The New York Times Company has remained a family business for more than a century.

(Publicidad Atlantis), Santiago de Luxán Meléndez, José Luis Quesada González (1997). Publicidad Atlantis, 1945-1995: Historia de Una Empresa Familiar. (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 448 p.). Publicidad Atlantis--History; Advertising agencies--Canary Islands--History; Family-owned business enterprises--Canary Islands--History.

(Quarry Bank Mill), Mary B. Rose (1986). The Gregs of Quarry Bank Mill: The Rise and Decline of a Family Firm, 1750-1914. (New York, NY: Cambridge University Press, 169 p.). Gregg family; Quarry Bank Mill--History; Cotton textile industry--Great Britain--History.

(Richardson Industries), Jay Pridmore (1998). The Richardson Story: A Family Enterprise at 150 Years. (Lyme, CT: Greenwich Publishing Group, Inc., 112 p.). Richardson Industries--History; Furniture industry and trade--Wisconsin--History; House furnishings industry and trade--Wisconsin--History.

(El Grupo Romero), Germán Reaño y Enrique Vásquez (1988). El Grupo Romero: Del Algodón a la Banca. (Lima, Peru: Centro de Investigación, Universidad del Pacífico: Centro de Investigación y Promoción del Campesinad, 176 p.). Romero family; Family-owned business enterprises--Peru; Cotton trade--Peru; Banks and banking--Peru.

(Sakowitz Department Store), Jane Wolfe (1993). Blood Rich: When Oil Billions, High Fashion, and Royal Intimacies Are Not Enough. (Boston, MA: Little, Brown, 346 p.). Sakowitz, Robert; Wyatt, Lynn Sakowitz; Sakowitz Department Store--History; Family-owned business enterprises--Texas--History; Business failures--Southwestern States--History; Scandals--Texas--History; Businesspeople--Texas--Biography.

(Salisbury Post), Mark Wineka (1999). A Family Affair: The Life, Times and Sale of a Family-Owned Newspaper. (Asheboro, NC: Down Home Press, 325 p.). Hurley family; Salisbury post (Salisbury, N.C. : Daily).

(Samworth Brothers), Patrick Beaver (1997). A Taste of Tradition: The Story of the Samworth Family Business (1896-1996 (Atlantic Highlands, NJ: Athlone Press, 201 p.). Samworth Brothers Limited--History; Food industry and trade--Great Britain--History--20th century; Convenience foods--Great Britain--History--20th century; Family-owned business enterprises--Great Britain.

(Steinway), Susan Goldenberg (1996). Steinway from Glory to Controversy: The Family, the Business, the Piano (Buffalo, NY: Mosaic Press, 253 p.). Steinway family; Steinway (Famille); Steinway & Sons--History; Steinway & Sons--Histoire; Piano makers--New York (State)--New York--History; Steinway piano--History; Facteurs de pianos--New York (État)--New York--Histoire; Piano--Histoire.

(Strawbridge & Clothier), Alfred Lief (1968-192). Family Business. (New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, 3 vols.). Strawbridge & Clothier. Contents: v. 1. A century in the life and times of Strawbridge & Clothier, 1868-1968 / by Alfred A. Lief -- v. 3. The triumphant eighties 1980-1989 / by Frank R. Veale.

(Susman Brothers and Wulfsohn), Hugh Macmillan (2005). An African Trading Empire: The Story of the Susman Brothers and Wulfsohn, 1901-2005. (New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan, 320 p.). Professor of History (University of Transkei, South Africa). Susman,Elie and Harry; Susman Brothers and Wulfsohn; Family business--Africa. 

(U-Haul), Ronald J. Watkins (1993). Birthright: Murder, Greed, and Power in the U-Haul Family Dynasty (New York, NY: Morrow, 425 p.). Shoen, Leonard Samuel, 1916- ; Shoen family; U-Haul International -- Officials and employees -- Biography; Murder -- United States -- Case studies; Businessmen -- United States -- Biography.

(U-Haul), Luke Krueger (2007). A Noble Function: How U-Haul Moved America. (Fort Lee, NJ: Barricade Books, 224 p.). U-Haul International--History; Storage and moving trade--United States--History--20th century; Moving, Household--United States--History--20th century. Meager beginnings of Sam and Anna Mary Shoen, U-Haul's founders; from mom and pop store start to household name.

(White Furniture), Bill Bamberger, Cathy N. Davidson (1998). Closing: The Life and Death of an American Factory. (New York, NY: Norton, 223 p.). Photographer, Professor of English (Duke), respectively. White Furniture Company; Furniture industry and trade--United States; Downsizing of organizations--United States--Case studies; Plant shutdowns--North Carolina--Mebane.

Enzo Biagi (1991). Dinastie: Gli Agnelli, I Rizzoli, I Ferruzzi-Gardini, I Lauro (Milano, Italy: A. Mondadori, 259 p.). Agnelli family; Rizzoli family; Ferruzzi-Gardini family; Lauro family; Family corporations--Italy--History.

Julie Browning & Laurie Critchley (2002). Dynasties: Myer, Durack, De Bortoli, Macarthur, Murdoch, Downer. (Sydney, AU: ABC Books, 265 p.). Family-owned business enterprises--Australia--History; Family corporations--Australia--History; Businesspeople--Family relationships--Australia; Australia--Biography. Macarthur family (wool industry); Downers of South Australia (pastoralists); Melbourne retailers, Myer family; Keith Murdoch whose son controls a media empire; De Bortoli wine family.

Geoffrey M. Footner (1991). The Last Generation: A History of a Chesapeake Shipbuilding Family. (Solomons, MD: Calvert Marine Museum Press, 194 p.). Davis, Clarence E., 1883-1936; Davis family; Shipyards--Maryland--Solomons Island--History.

Thomas Goldwasser (1986). Family Pride: Profiles of Five of America's Best-Run Family Businesses (New York, NY: Dodd, Mead, 226 p.). Family corporations--United States--Management--Case studies; Success in business--United States--Case studies.

Hidemasa Morikawa; foreword by Alfred D. Chandler, Jr. (1992). Zaibatsu: The Rise and Fall of Family Enterprise Groups in Japan. (Tokyo, Japan: University of Tokyo Press, 283 p.). Trusts, Industrial--Japan--History.

Hidemasa Morikawa (2001). A History of Top Management in Japan: Managerial Enterprises and Family Enterprises. (New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 226 p.). Industrial management--Japan--History; Executives--Japan--History; Family-owned business enterprises--Japan--History. Difference between family-owned firms, professionally managed firms.

William T. O'Hara (2004). Centuries of Success: Lessons from the World's Most Enduring Family Businesses. (Avon, MA: Adams Media Corporation, 330 p.). Success in business Case studies.

Gordon Pitts (2000). In the Blood: Battles To Succeed in Canada's Family Businesses. (Toronto, ON: Doubleday Canada, 306 p.). Family business; Succession.

Dwijendra Tripathi, Makrand Mehta (1990). Business Houses in Western India: A Study in Entrepreneurial Response, 1850-1956. (New Delhi, IN: Manohar Publications, 223 p.). Family-owned business enterprises--India--Bombay (State)--History; Entrepreneurship--India--Bombay (State)--History.

Sylvia Junko Yanagisako (2002). Producing Culture and Capital: Family Firms in Italy. (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press,     p.). Silk industry--Italy--Como; Family-owned business enterprises--Italy--Como.

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Business History Links

America's 150 Largest Family Businesses                                        http://www.cojoweb.com/ref-companies-Am-largest.html         

Family Business magazine’s 2001survey of America’s largest family companies.

Family Business (Management)                                                         FamilyBusinesses.htm

Henokiens Association of Family and Bicentenary Companies         http://www.henokiens.com                                 

Members of the Henokiens Association, meet four criteria: they have reached a minimum age of 200 years, they are managed by a descendant of the founder, the family still owns the company or is the majority share holder and they are in good financial health.

Oldest Family Businesses in America                                           http://www.familybusinessmagazine.com/oldestcos.html

World's Oldest Family Companies                                                    http://www.familybusinessmagazine.com/oldworld.html

The World’s 250 Largest Family Businesses                                   http://www.familybusinessmagazine.com/topglobal.html            

2004 Family Business magazine list of 250 largest family-run companies, each with annual revenues of at least $1.2 billion, spread across 28 countries; many dominate their national economies, most reach far beyond national borders.