Summary of Michael D'Antonio's Hershey

By IRB Media

Get the Summary of Michael D'Antonio's Hershey in 20 minutes. Please note: This is a summary & not the original book. "Hershey" chronicles the life and legacy of Henry Hershey, an ambitious man with a vision for greatness, who married Veronica "Fanny" Snavely and faced economic challenges during the Panic of 1857. Despite setbacks in the oil industry, Henry's family, including his son Milton, persevered in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania...

• Language: English
• Publisher: IRB Media
• Release date: Mar 26, 2024
• ISBN: 9798330006397

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Summary of Michael D'Antonio's Hershey

Overview

Hershey chronicles the life and legacy of Henry Hershey, an ambitious man with a vision for greatness, who married Veronica Fanny Snavely and faced economic challenges during the Panic of 1857. Despite setbacks in the oil industry, Henry's family, including his son Milton, persevered in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Milton Hershey, influenced by his parents' contrasting values, eventually found success in the confectionery business after several failed attempts. He built a chocolate empire and a model town in Derry Church, emphasizing social responsibility and philanthropy. Hershey's innovative approach to business and community development set him apart from other industrialists of his time. His commitment to using wealth for the public good was exemplified by the establishment of the Hershey Industrial School for orphans and the creation of a trust to ensure its financial security. Hershey's ventures extended to Cuba, where he invested in sugar production and infrastructure. Despite financial crises and personal losses, including the death of his wife Catherine, Hershey's resilience and dedication to his vision led to the continued growth and success of his company and the town that bore his name.

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Dreams and Dissonance

Henry Hershey, a man of tall stature and lean build, was often seen sporting a black beard. He had a penchant for silk attire and was rarely without his gold-tipped walking stick. Known for his charm, especially with women, he once courted Mattie Snavely and led another woman in Harrisburg to believe they would marry. However, his fate was to marry Mattie's sister, Veronica, affectionately called Fanny, who was notably shorter and had a round-shouldered frame, presenting a stark contrast to Henry's own appearance. Henry harbored grand ambitions and saw himself as destined for greatness, even though he lacked the formal education he believed necessary to fulfill his dream of becoming a writer. He made an impression on those around him with his sophisticated demeanor, artistic flair, eloquent dress and speech, and his frequent, hearty laughter.

Fanny's upbringing was in a conservative, insular community of preachers and farmers in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Her family lineage traced back to wealthy Swiss emigrants who had settled in the area in the 1700s to escape religious persecution. Raised in the Reformed Mennonite Church, which eschewed worldly behaviors and emphasized personal commitment to faith, Fanny's life was deeply rooted in religious conviction and familial bonds. She was groomed to be a practical, unassuming wife.

In Henry, Fanny found a partner whose dreams and independent spirit resonated with her own subdued sense of rebellion. They were married in 1856 at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, with Henry's attire outshining Fanny's on their wedding day. At that time, marriage was viewed as a partnership where the husband was considered the steadfast oak and the wife the nurturing vine, enduring hardships and maintaining the home in anticipation of future prosperity.

Fanny's family had prospered, thanks in part to the fertile farmland of Lancaster County and the Lancaster Turnpike, which connected local farms to the markets of Philadelphia. The turnpike was frequented by Conestoga wagons laden with goods, and the revenue from these farms contributed to Lancaster's growth, funding industries and modern infrastructure. The city flourished with the advent of trains, telegraph lines, and took pride in James Buchanan, a native son, becoming president, despite his controversial pro-slavery stance.

Inspired by the wealth and ambition of Lancaster, Henry acknowledged that Fanny's family's financial success made her an appealing match. After their marriage, they attempted to farm on the Hershey homestead but faced financial struggles. In 1857, as Fanny gave birth to their son Milton, the region was hit by economic turmoil due to a banking crisis in New York and the sinking of the S.S. Central America, which carried a significant amount of gold. This led to the Panic of 1857, resulting in widespread financial collapse.

As Lancaster's economy faltered, Henry sought new opportunities. The discovery of oil in Titusville,