America turns 250 on July 4: New Jersey family business is older than the US, still family-run

 America turns 250 this July 4, but Laird & Co., a family-run business in Colts Neck, New Jersey, has it beat by 78 years. Founded in 1698, the apple brandy maker survived Prohibition, two world wars and Covid, and is still owned by nine Lairds. George Washington reportedly drank its Applejack. Just 4% of family businesses last four generations. Laird is on its eleventh. America turns 250 this July 4, but Laird & Co., a family-run business in Colts Neck, New Jersey, has it beat by 78 years. Founded in 1698, the apple brandy maker survived Prohibition, two world wars and Covid, and is still owned by nine Lairds. George Washington reportedly drank its Applejack. Just 4% of family businesses last four generations. Laird is on its eleventh.