Early Life

Milton Snavely Hershey was an American chocolatier, entrepreneur, and philanthropist known for founding the Hershey Chocolate Company and originating Hershey’s brand. Milton S. Hershey was born on September 13, 1857, in Derry Township, Pennsylvania, U.S. He was the first child of Henry Hershey, an entrepreneur who had various businesses in farming, and Fanny Snavely Hershey, who was a loving mother. His family was of Swiss and German descent.

Childhood and Early Work

Hershey started working and helping his family from an early age as this was common during that period. His formal education was limited as he attended several schools but never progressed beyond fourth grade. He was more interested in learning through his experiences rather than the formal education system. At the age of 14, Hershey was apprenticed to Joseph Royer, a confectioner in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, by his mother. During this time, he learned the basics of confectionery which laid the foundation for his skills. After his apprenticeship, Hershey worked in various confectionery shops and candy-making jobs in cities like Philadelphia and Chicago. In 1876, he started his first confectionery business, which unfortunately did not achieve much success.

Breakthrough with Lancaster Caramel Company

Later in the 1880s in Denver, Milton S. Hershey learned to make caramels using fresh milk. In 1886, he returned to Lancaster and used his knowledge of caramel-making to start the Lancaster Caramel Company. He utilized a caramel recipe he had acquired during his travels, and the company became successful, employing a significant workforce and gaining recognition. He made huge profits from his company and had over 1,000 workers in two factories.

Foundation of Hershey Chocolate Company

In the 1890s, after attending the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Milton S. Hershey became passionate about chocolate-making machinery. Despite the success of Lancaster Caramel Company, Hershey decided to take a significant risk and sold the company for 1 million dollars. Hershey used the proceeds to establish the famous Hershey Chocolate Company. After moving to Drexel Hill, he gained access to a supply of fresh milk and recognized the potential of milk chocolate. After much trial and error, he got his own formula for milk chocolate. His experimentation led to the creation of the first Hershey bar in 1900. Later, he introduced Hershey’s Kisses in 1907, which quickly became a beloved chocolate product, and also the Hershey’s Bar with almonds in 1908. To allow efficient production on a large scale, Hershey began constructing the world’s largest chocolate manufacturing company on March 2, 1903.

Philanthropy and Community Development

Apart from his career and company, Hershey demonstrated a strong commitment to giving back to his community and made various philanthropic contributions. In 1909, he established the Milton Hershey School to provide education and a nurturing environment for orphan children. He designed the town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, as an industrial community and provided his employees with not only jobs but also housing, schools, parks, and recreational facilities. Hershey and his wife, Catherine Hershey, donated a considerable portion of their wealth to medical research and healthcare institutions. Hershey also supplied chocolate bars to the military during World War II. Hershey’s initiatives had a notable impact on the lives of countless individuals and the community of Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Legacy

Milton S. Hershey passed away on October 13, 1945, due to pneumonia in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Even though his physical presence has ended, his lasting impact on the community is still remembered by all. The institutions he established remained active even during his absence. His company, now known as The Hershey Company, remains a major player in the global confectionery industry.