Hershey and the Chocolate Bar -

Post by Doris McCraw aka Angela Raines

For some of you, the person born on September 13, 1857, is a pretty special person. Know who I'm talking about? I'm going to tell you. Milton S. Hershey, of the Hershey chocolate company.

According to some of the records, Milton Snavely Hershey grew up in the Pennsylvania Mennonite community. His family consisted of his father, mother, and a younger sister who passed away at four.

It was said that his father frequently left his wife and son for long periods of time so it makes sense that the young Milton would learn to do for himself. He began school when he was six but did not continue past the fourth grade. Although he initially apprenticed with the local printer he was fired when he dropped his hat into one of the machines. His father worked to convince the printer to give his son a second chance but his mother and his aunt Maddie thought that he should learn how to make candy.

Milton S. Hershey - 1905
from Wikipedia

In 1872 he began an apprenticeship with the confectioner in Lancaster Pennsylvania that lasted for years.

In 1876 at the end of his apprenticeship, Milton, moved to Philadelphia to start his own business. 

Hershey came to Denver Colorado where he learned to make caramels using fresh milk. He also traveled to New Orleans and Chicago taking more opportunities to educate himself before arriving in New York City in 1883 to train with New York City's candy and restaurant chain, Huyler's.

Hershey eventually ended up back in Lancaster where he started the Lancaster Caramel Company. The company was a huge success so by 1890 he had two factories.

After attending the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893 Hershey became interested in chocolate with the result that he sold his caramel-making company for about $1 million and devoted himself to creating milk chocolate.

By 1900 he produced his first Hershey's chocolate bar.

Hershey married Catherine Sweeney in 1898. The couple had no children so therefore they made plans to establish Hershey industrial school and by 1918 he transferred most of his assets to the Milton Hershey school trust fund. This plan allowed for the school to be the beneficiary.

Milton Hershey passed away of pneumonia in October 1945. He was 88 years old. Not only did he leave a legacy through his school and his foundation, but he will also always be forever remembered for Hershey's milk chocolate bar.

Doris McCraw