Milton Hershey: Founder of the Hershey’s Chocolate Company!
Milton Hershey caused chocolate to become popular all over the world. He managed to [after many failures] run an exceedingly large business that is now sold in 90 countries worldwide. He was a gentle and generous man who couldn’t refuse a candy of any sort.
Milton was born on September 13th, 1857 on a farm in Derry Church, Pennsylvania. He and his mother, Fanny, were Mennonite, while his father, Henry, was non-religious. This led to many arguments between the two and poor Milton was torn. He loved God, but he also loved candies, stories and songs.
When he was 5 his sister, Serena, was born. He loved her so much, that he even jumped into a trout pond to keep her from drowning. But even then she became ill with the Scarlet Fever and had to stay in bed all day. While she was ill, Milton stayed home from school. He’d never favored his teachers because they were not friendly towards him at all. In fact, they told him that he would never learn anything, so when his parents informed him he could stay home from school, he was extremely excited. A few days later, despite the rest and medicine, Serena passed away. Henry moved out of the house shortly after.
At age 15, Milton became an apprentice to a printer named Samuel Ernst. He abhorred every detail of the job- the smell, the building and especially the boss. One day he became fed up and thought of a plan to be fired. While Mr. Ernst had his back turned, Milton fed his hat into the printer. Mr. Ernst fired him right then and there. He then became apprentice to a confectioner, whom he served for four years.
When he turned 19, Milton thought it was time to open his own candy shop. After six years in the business, he went broke and had to close down. Following this failure came another. So instead of opening another candy store, he decided to start a caramel business. He rented an apartment in Lancaster to make the caramels in and sold them on the street. The Lancaster Caramel company grew and he finally sold it for roughly $24,613,670!
In 1894, Milton bought a colossal factory in order to start a brand new chocolate business. He bought machines and hired workers to assist in manufacturing the chocolate. He also incorporated milk into his recipe, which made it taste exceedingly creamier than other brands. He named his novel business, Hershey’s Chocolate Company.
Milton earnestly hoped for a wife and children. He didn’t want to marry a woman from Lancaster, because he felt they were only interested in him for the money. So he traveled to Jamestown, New York and met a 25 year old girl working in a candy shop. Her name was Catherine Sweeney, but Milton called her Kitty. For a year he took her to dinners and theaters. One day, he came down the steps with a slight suitcase in hand and told his mother he was getting married in New York City. A Catholic priest wedded Milton and Kitty on May 25th, 1898.
A little after he started Hershey’s Chocolate Company, Milton had a brilliantly innovative idea. Why not build a city for the workers!? Kitty and Milton designed schools, hospitals, parks, churches, shops, playgrounds and amusement parks. Together, they made sure that every house was diverse. Kitty and Milton dwelled in a mansion on a hill. In 1960 the town was renamed Hershey after the couple who built it.
Kitty became ill with a disease which became worse over the years and finally took her life in 1915. Milton lamented her death and carried her picture in his wallet from then on.
One of the best schools Milton built was for orphaned boys. The boys lived in the farmhouse Milton grew up in, received free food and clothes. Once they finished school, each child obtained $100 to start out life.
In 1933, Milton built the Hershey Hotel, a fancy hotel in Hershey, Pennsylvania. He built this 12 years before his death at age 88 on October 13th 1945. He died of a heart problem in the Hershey Hospital that he built.
Milton Hershey was a man of great perseverance. He kept on trying even through tough times. People underestimated him as a child, but he grew up and became a millionaire without a college education! He could dream-and not make dreams his master, he could think-and not make thoughts his aim!* He may not have been skillful in school, but he was an extraordinary and clearly talented man!
By: Abby Lauren Dortch
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