Milton S. Hershey

Lore & Background

Milton Hershey was born on September 13, 1857, to Henry and Veronica 'Fanny' (née Snavely) Hershey. Of Swiss and German descent, his family were members of Pennsylvania's Mennonite community, and he grew up speaking Pennsylvania Dutch. In April 1862, his sister Sarena Hershey was born and died in 1867 at age 4. Hershey had a very limited education, with no schooling beyond the fourth grade. In 1871, he left school and was apprenticed to a printer, soon lost that job, and took up the candy trade. He studied under confectioner Joseph Royer for four years. In 1876, he moved to Philadelphia to start his first confectionery business. He traveled to Denver, learned to make caramels using fresh milk, then went to New Orleans and Chicago, before settling in New York City in 1883 and training at Huyler's. He started a second business that lasted only three years, closing in 1886. He returned to Lancaster in 1883 and started the Lancaster Caramel Company, which became a success, employing over 1,300 workers by the early 1890s. After the World's Columbian Exposition, he became interested in chocolate and sold the caramel company for $1 million to start the Hershey Chocolate Company. Using the proceeds from the 1900 sale, he acquired farmland near his birthplace in Derry Township. The first Hershey bar was produced in 1900. Hershey's Kisses were developed in 1907, and the Hershey's Bar with almonds was introduced in 1908. The factory became the center of the company town of Hershey, Pennsylvania. In 1912, the Hersheys were booked on the Titanic but canceled at the last minute due to business matters. Hershey married Catherine Elizabeth 'Kitty' Sweeney on May 25, 1898; they had no children. Catherine died on March 25, 1915. Hershey died of pneumonia on October 13, 1945, at age 88, and is buried in Hershey Cemetery.

Reader's Guide

Hershey used unconventional marketing: in 1895 he patented a candy-cutting machine, in 1898 adopted the 'baby-in-the-bean' trademark, and in 1900 purchased what is thought to be Lancaster's first automobile, an electric Riker delivery vehicle, painted with 'Hershey's Cocoa'. Early advertising used the slogan 'Made on the Farm'. In 1927, a Hershey milk chocolate bar appeared in the film Wings. During World War II, Hershey Chocolate supplied the U.S. Armed Forces with Ration D Bars and Tropical Chocolate Bars. The Ration D Bar had to weigh 1 or 2 ounces, resist melting above 90°F, and have an unpleasant flavor. The Tropical Chocolate Bar was made to taste better but still be durable. Between 1940 and 1945, over three billion bars were produced. By the end of the war, the plant produced 24 million ration bars a week. The company received five Army–Navy 'E' Production Awards. The factory machine shop also made parts for tanks and machines.

Did You Know?

• Milton Hershey canceled his reservation on the Titanic at the last minute due to business matters.
• The first Hershey bar was produced in 1900.
• Hershey's philanthropy included establishing the Hershey Industrial School in 1909, later renamed the Milton Hershey School.
• During World War II, Hershey produced over three billion Ration D and Tropical Chocolate Bars for soldiers.
• Hershey's grave is located at Section Spec-Her, Lot 1, Grave 1 in Hershey Cemetery, next to his wife.