Henry John Heinz

Profession: Founder of Heinz

Biography: Henry John Heinz was an American businessman and entrepreneur. He founded the H.J. Heinz Company and built it into the major food processing and packaging company that still bears his name today.

Heinz started packing foodstuffs in 1869 in Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania with Heinz Noble & Company, which went bankrupt in 1875. He then founded F & J Heinz in 1876 with his brother and cousin, later buying them out in 1888 to form the H.J. Heinz Company. The company introduced the iconic "57 Varieties" slogan in 1896 and was incorporated in 1905 with Heinz serving as president until his death in 1919.

Heinz successfully lobbied for passage of the landmark Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906. He also worked with the Food Administration during World War I and served on boards of various financial institutions and committees. By the time of his death, the H.J. Heinz Company had grown to over 20 plants, seed farms, and factories.

In his personal life, Heinz married Sarah Sloan Young in 1869 and they had five children, though one died as an infant. While Heinz was raised Lutheran, his children were raised Presbyterian like their mother, and Heinz himself was Methodist and Presbyterian later in life. His travels often included visits to graves and sites of notable religious leaders.

Heinz died of pneumonia in 1919 and was buried in the family mausoleum in Pittsburgh. His legacy includes a bronze statue erected at the Heinz Company building in 1924, and his descendants include grandson H.J. Heinz II and great-grandson Senator H. John Heinz III.

Born: October 11, 1844
Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Star Sign: Libra

Died: May 14, 1919 (aged 74)
Cause of Death: Pneumonia