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Horace Hagedorn

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American businessman (1915–2005)
Horace Hagedorn
BornMarch 18, 1915
Manhattan, New York, US
DiedJanuary 31, 2005(2005-01-31) (aged 89)
Sands Point, New York, US
EducationUniversity of Pennsylvania
Occupation(s)Advertising executive, businessman, philanthropist
Years active1936–1997
Known forCo-Founder of the Miracle-Gro brand
Spouses
  • Peggy Hagedorn (died 1984)
  • Amy Maiello (m. 1985)
Children6

Horace Hagedorn (1915 – 2005) was an advertising executive, businessman and philanthropist, who was co-founder of the Miracle-Gro brand, with Otto Stern. He eventually bought out the 50% interest held by Stern.

Biography and career

Horace Hagedorn was born on March 18, 1915, in Manhattan, New York. He obtained a degree from the University of Pennsylvania in business, later selling radio advertising.

Miracle-Gro, a water-soluble fertilizer, was developed after Hagedorn met nurseryman Otto Stern and learned of Stern's troubles shipping plants in 1944. The pair hired O. Wesley Davidson, a Rutgers University professor to develop the fertilizer. Hagedorn used royalties from producing a crime-drama "The Big Story" to fund the company. In 1950, the company was formed after his wife Peggy named the product. He is largely credited with the success of the company due to the nature of his effective marketing – employing advertisements in differing medias and working with emerging hardware chains. Hagedorn, however, credits being at the right place at the right time for the success of the company. In 1963, he became the company's first full time salesman. In 1995, the company merged with Scotts for $200 million in stock, with Hagedorn as the majority investor. The merger created the world's largest maker of lawn and garden products. He retired from Miracle-Gro in 1997.

Prior to moving to Sands Point, New York, Hagedorn lived in Flower Hill, New York and Plandome Manor, New York.

In later life, Hagedorn donated large sums of money to various charities, particularly those dealing with children. In 2000, he gave $45 million to the Long Island Community Foundation, funded a cleft palate clinic at North Shore University Hospital, and underwrote the Miracle-Gro Kids program.

Death and legacy

Hagedorn died on January 31, 2005, in Sands Point, New York, of pulmonary fibrosis. His second wife, Amy, founded the Hagedorn Foundation in 2005.

The School of Business at Adelphi University and the School of Education at Hofstra University are both named after him; both their buildings are named Hagedorn Hall.

References

  1. ^ Martin, Douglas (2005-02-01). "Horace Hagedorn, 89, Marketing Genius Behind Miracle-Gro, Dies". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  2. ^ Weber, Sandra (1993-07-25). "Long Island Q&A;: Horace Hagedorn; A Small Company's Nuts-and-Bolts Approach, and Voila! (Published 1993)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  3. Weber, Sandra (1993-07-25). "Long Island Q&A;: Horace Hagedorn; A Small Company's Nuts-and-Bolts Approach, and Voila! (Published 1993)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-11-19.
  4. Perrone, Stephanie (2018-05-16). "The Sands Point Man Who Planted Miracle-Gro". LI Press. Retrieved 2020-05-08.
  5. Ringer, Richard (1995-01-27). "COMPANY NEWS; Scotts Sets Merger Deal With Stern's (Published 1995)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-11-19.
  6. Fischler, Marcelle S. (2006-01-01). "The Legacies They Left (Published 2006)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-11-19.
  7. "Collection Guide". Local History Center. 2016-02-19. Retrieved 2024-04-02.
  8. "LandRecord Lookup". lrv.nassaucountyny.gov. Retrieved 2020-12-18.
  9. "Section 3, Block 139-01". Property Records, Section 3, Block 139-01. Nassau County, New York.
  10. The Long Island Forum Fall 2002: Vol 65 Iss 4. Friends for Long Island's Heritage. Fall 2002.
  11. "Estate Home Furnished at Auctions: Houses We Live In". Newsday. February 23, 1968. pp. 3B – via ProQuest.
  12. Fischler, Marcelle S. (2006-01-01). "The Legacies They Left (Published 2006)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-11-19.
  13. Fischler, Marcelle S. (2000-11-12). "What a Little Miracle-Gro Will Do (Published 2000)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2020-11-19.
  14. "Retrospective | Hagedorn Foundation". hagedornfoundation.org. Retrieved 2020-11-19.

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