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A Simple Beginning
In a farm house on the outskirts of Hockersville, Pennsylvania, Milton S. Hershey was born. He was of Amish parentage and German heritage and resided in an Amish community. His life now was no indicator on how he would later succeed in life. -
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The life of Milton Hershey
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A Changing Environment
During the time span of his third to twelfth birthday, Milton Hershey's residence always changed. No one really knows how many times he moved as a child (as it was never recorded), but he did go to 6-7 different schools before the time he was eight. Milton never had the best grades because he learned better in a hands-on type of way than reading about it. He always liked the farm life in the Derry county, He said later in his life that he liked the farm more than most of the mansions he visited. -
Civil War Ends
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Apprenticership-printing
Although the exact date is unknown, it is known that he was thirteen. After dropping out of school in the fourth grade Milton’s Father, Henry, wanted Milton to have a better life so he applied Milt for an apprenticeship at a printing shop. They weren't compatible though. Sam had a temper and Milton’s fingers were too clumsy for print. Some days Mr. Ernest would get so fed up he sent Milton to milk the cows. To his Father’s disappointment it ended after only a few months. -
Appentinceship-Confectory
The exact date is unknown but around this time Milton's apprenticeship with Sam ends, he drops a whole tablet of print. While Henry wants him to continue in print, Fanny, Milton's Mother, has a better idea, which was to get him an apprenticeship at Joe Royer’s ice cream parlor and confectionary. It was perfect, as Milton learned how to make candy, ice cream and more important in his later life caramel. Milton becomes an asset to the shop and he himself is happy there and continues until he's 18. -
First Failure
Approximately in April the young candy maker broke away and started his own business. He wanted to set up shop in Philadelphia (a city that always interested him), sadly his business was not doing well. Luckily for him that year there was an exhibition in Philadelphia. He made business cards and gave them out. Business for Milton picked up, but it was not easy he worked all through the night and sold though the day. However, he went bankrupt after six years. -
Secret to Success
Around this time Milton goes to follow his father to Colorado hoping for a get rich opportunity. There were none at that time and to make matters worse Denver was experiencing a depression. He later after seeing he could not start a business here applied for a position at an existing successful candy company. While he was there he learned the secret to make long-lasting chewier caramel which was to add whole fresh milk. -
Crystal A Caramels
After his other businesses failed, Milton returned home in shame. While shunned by his family he met an old friend who helped him back on his feet. He decided to try again, this time in Lancaster because he needed fresh milk. This time he also specialized on just caramel, instead of previous times when it was a wide array of different items. This business too almost failed because of a loan, but the day before the loan was due he got paid for a large order from Europe in advance. -
Love at First Sight
His first love was not his wife but chocolate. The date is unknown, but sometime in September Milton Hershey fell in love with chocolate. At this period in time chocolate was a guarded Swiss secret and never been massed produced before. He saw it when he went to the Chicago World fair in 1893, where there was an exhibit on chocolate making. Milton instantly fell in love with the complex machinery. He completely ignored his very successful caramel business. Chocolate was the future. -
Check for 1 Million
Around November first, after a nine month negotiating period Milton Hershey became a millionaire. It started when a competing caramel company urged him to merge with them, when he refused they started making threats. He then offered to sell his business to them, except his chocolate division. After a few months they agreed to buy and when that happened they still needed to decide how much in stock and how much in cash. In the end it was one million dollars in cash and no stock. -
"Factory in a Corn Field"
Around November 26, 1894 Milton Hershey made his own factory. He decided to set up his factory near Lancaster for two main reasons. First, he grew up there and it was close to his heart. Second, it was near many dairy farms, so he could easily get milk for his chocolate. He still needed a place for his workers to live. He took a risk as business towns at this time were dreary places, but he was determined to make his cheerful. -
"Happiest Man Alive"
Milton married Catherine Sweeney or as he called her "Kitty". They were married at the St. Patrick's Cathedral on March 25, 1898. He met her in New York City on one of his business trips there. Kitty brought him joy in many ways. She was always good-natured and fair and always cheerful even in the darkest of times. She was an Irish descendant and of Catholic belief. She truly made him the happiest man alive. -
A school in his Name
"It was Kitty's idea" Milton said to the press about the new school he built. At an early part of their marriage they realized Kitty could not bear a child. The couple still wanted children to care for, so Kitty came up with the idea to establish a school for orphan boys. It was founded on November 15, 1909 in where he was born, known as the homestead. But later it was moved to the outskirts of Hershey. Each child on graduation day gets a $100 bill. The school still exists today. -
Depression
Even though there is no specific date the Depression started most people date the beginning to the day the stock market crashed. Most Americans during the Depression lived in poverty and debt, but that was not the case in Hershey. Milton said that to the best of his knowledge no one got laid off or fired during this time. In fact, 500 more workers were hired on some of the most interesting buildings in the town of Hershey, including the Hershey Hotel. -
World War II Begins
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E for Excellence
While U.S. troops were oversees fighting in WWII. Milton Hershey was making a ration bar for them. It was the Field D Ration Bar (like a mix between an energy bar and a Hershey bar). Each solider was given three a day, ergo causing him to produce over a million bars. He made it so it could withstand extreme temperatures, so it would not melt as easily. He also made the Tropical bar for severe climates. For these, he was given the E for Excellence award five times for a tremendous war effort. -
German Surrender
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Japanese Surrender
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Final Resting Day
At age 88, Milton S. Hershey takes his final breath. He died in Highpoint (his home) on October 13, 1945. After his death all his profits and stock were left to his school. Kitty who died before him was a reason to his failing health and the fact he had a stroke. He is remembered as the world's finest chocolatier.
