The People Who Shaped Milton Hershey’s Life and Legacy

The story of Milton Hershey School begins long before its founding in 1909. It begins with a young boy growing up in rural Pennsylvania, learning important lessons about hard work, perseverance, generosity, and caring for others. Those lessons would help shape Milton S. Hershey’s vision for a school where children could receive the support and opportunities they needed to build successful lives.

Family members, mentors, advisors, and loved ones influenced the values that became the foundation of MHS by shaping Mr. Hershey’s character and perspective. From the lessons his parents imparted to the partnership he shared with his wife, Catherine Hershey, each shaped the experiences and beliefs that ultimately led to the school’s creation and its enduring mission.

Fanny Hershey

Among the many influences in Milton Hershey’s life, none was more significant than his mother, Veronica “Fanny” Snavely Hershey. Practical, hardworking, and deeply devoted to her son, Fanny encouraged Milton through repeated business setbacks and helped guide many of his early decisions. She ensured he had hands-on learning opportunities and constantly reinforced the value of perseverance.

Fanny’s influence extended far beyond business. Known for her humility, generosity, and concern for others, she modeled a life of service that became central to Milton’s own philosophy. Many of the values that define MHS today, including hard work, responsibility, and care for others, echo the lessons Milton first learned from his mother.

Henry Hershey

Where Fanny provided stability, Milton’s father, Henry Hershey, encouraged imagination. An entrepreneurial dreamer who pursued numerous business ventures throughout his life, Henry was known for his curiosity, optimism, and willingness to explore new ideas. While many of his ventures were unsuccessful, his belief in possibility left a lasting impression on his son.

Sarena Hershey

Although she died at the age of four, Sarena Hershey, Milton’s younger sister, holds an important place in the Hershey family story. Her death from scarlet fever in 1867 deeply affected both Milton and his mother.

Like many childhood losses in the nineteenth century, Sarena’s death was a painful reminder of life’s fragility. While we do not know the impact this experience had on Milton’s later decisions, it formed part of the family history that impacted his understanding of hardship and strengthened the close bond he shared with his mother.

Aunt Mattie

Throughout Milton’s early struggles, his aunt Martha Snavely, known as Aunt Mattie, was one of his strongest supporters. When he needed financial assistance to launch his first candy business, she provided a $150 loan and offered encouragement during some of his most difficult years.

Aunt Mattie also worked alongside Milton and Fanny in several of his early ventures, helping with the daily demands of the business while providing steady emotional support. Although she died in 1894, years before the school’s founding, her faith in Milton’s abilities helped sustain him through the failures and setbacks that preceded his success.

Joseph Royer

Every entrepreneur begins by learning a craft. For Milton Hershey, that education came from Joseph R. Royer, a Lancaster confectioner who accepted him as an apprentice in 1872. Under Royer’s guidance, Milton learned the fundamentals of candy making, from ingredient preparation and temperature control to the patience required to master the trade.

The technical knowledge Milton gained during those formative years became the foundation for his future business ventures. More importantly, the apprenticeship offered him a path forward at a time when educational and career opportunities were limited. The experience largely influenced his later belief in preparing young people for successful, productive lives.

Catherine Hershey

No individual is more closely connected to the founding of MHS than Milton’s wife and partner in business and life, Catherine “Kitty” Sweeney Hershey. Through her involvement with charitable work in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Catherine developed a deep concern for children and families facing hardship. Milton often said the MHS was Kitty’s idea, and she played an active role in its early philosophy and operations.

Catherine’s influence extended well beyond encouragement and support. When the Deed of Trust establishing the school was signed in 1909, both Milton and Catherine signed the document as founders. At a time when women rarely held formal roles in philanthropic, business, or financial endeavors, Catherine’s inclusion was notable. Her role reflected Milton’s trust in her judgment and recognized her contributions to the school’s vision and direction. More than a founder’s wife, Catherine was a true partner whose compassion and commitment to children helped mold the school from its earliest days.

Lebbie Lebkicher

As Milton Hershey’s business enterprises expanded, he came to rely on a small group of trusted advisors. Among them, none was more important than William Henry “Lebbie” Lebkicher, whom Milton often referred to as “my good right hand.”

Lebbie served as secretary, business manager, confidant, and advisor. He also became one of the original board members of the Hershey Industrial School and later served as vice chairman of its board. His steady leadership helped ensure that the school’s operations remained aligned with Milton’s vision during its formative years.

A Legacy Shaped by Many Lives

The story of MHS is often told through the life of its founder, but the school’s origins can also be found in the lives of those who influenced him. A mother’s perseverance, a father’s imagination, an aunt’s encouragement, a mentor’s instruction, a wife’s compassion, a trusted advisor’s loyalty, and even the hardships of childhood all helped shape the values that guided Milton Hershey’s greatest work.

Today, as students continue to learn and grow at MHS, they are also benefiting from the influence of these many individuals without whom the incredible vision of one man and his wife may not exist today.