Catherine Hershey

Catherine Elizabeth Sweeney Hershey (July 6, 1871 – March 25, 1915) was an American philanthropist. She was the wife of chocolatier Milton S. Hershey and co-founder with her husband of the Milton Hershey School.

Early life Hershey was born July 6, 1871, in Jamestown, New York, to Catherine Elizabeth Maloney and Michael William Sweeney, Irish immigrant parents. The town was situated north of Pennsylvania's lumber region, which facilitated a massive boom in Jamestown's commerce around the time of Sweeney's birth. "Catherine was born at the beginning of Jamestown’s renaissance," as described by one historical association.

Her family was not wealthy. Sweeney attended Jamestown High School but dropped out to work in 1888, her final year. She worked in retail most hours of the day for six days a week. One of the stores she was hired at was a local jeweler. Her main job was as a salesperson.

Marriage to Milton Hershey In the 1890s, Milton Hershey operated a caramel and confectionary shop in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He was traveling through southern New York on business when he stopped in Jamestown. Here, he visited A.D. Work's Confectionary, a local hub frequented by Sweeney. The two met at Work's and struck up a friendship. Jamestown became a regular stop on Hershey's travels.

Sweeney eventually moved to New York City where she sold ribbons at Altman's Department Store. The ceremony was officiated by Father Thomas Murphy. It was a private affair with no attendants and only a few close friends present. The couple returned to Lancaster the next evening.

This photo shows Milton Hershey (back) with Catherine (left) in the gardens of High Point Mansion. Catherine Sweeney Hershey was a known gardener and designed the gardens at her homes and the Milton Hershey School. When the two moved in together back in Lancaster, immediate problems arose between Sweeney and her mother-in-law. Regardless, their marriage was seen as successful and happy, especially when Hershey purchased a nearby home for his mother (a tactic he would also employ when they moved to and settled in Hershey.) During this time, Sweeney was "described as a beautiful woman with a quick wit, breath-taking smile, and warm personality; she brought joy and beauty to his life as well as companionship and a shared sense of purpose." Hershey cared for his wife deeply and was always trying to "swoon" and charm her.

Philanthropy Catherine Sweeney Hershey was an active philanthropist and inspired her husband to be an active philanthropist himself. Catherine was a founding member of the Lancaster Charity Society in 1904. She served on its Conference Committee and was one of only seven original life members. Her influence is also credited with prompting Milton Hershey's first documented charitable gift, $5,000 to equip a chemistry laboratory at Franklin & Marshall College in 1902. When the Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg was starting construction of the Cathedral of Saint Patrick in the commonwealth's capital, Catherine Hershey made a sizable donation. The Diocese recognized her contribution by putting the name "Mrs. M.S. Hershey" in an inscription just inside the church's entrance.