Milton S. Hershey (1857-1945)

Milton S. Hershey was born on September 13, 1857, in Derry Church, Pennsylvania, into a Mennonite family descended form immigrants from Germany and Switzerland. Like many people of that time, Hershey had little formal education.

His formal education ended in the fourth grade and he became an apprentice to Joseph R. Royer, a well-known candy maker in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

At the age nineteen Hershey attempted to start his own candy business, but failed six years later.

He went to work for a caramel maker, learned the business and tried to open his own caramel store, but it, too failed.

In 1886, he opened another caramel business, Lancaster Caramel Company in Pennsylvania. One day an English importer came to town and tasted Hershey’s Crystal A milk caramels and marvel of marvels, placed an order, the first large order the company had received. His business soon employed 1100 people.

After visiting Chicago World’s Fair Columbian Exposition in 1893, he purchased some machines from Germany and began experimenting with different recipes of making chocolate. 

At first he simply chocolate-coated his caramels, then later added novelties like chocolate cigars and cigarettes.

He hired chocolate makers and in 1903, he began producing milk chocolate under the Hershey name. 

Hershey sold his caramel company to the American Caramel Company for $1 million but retained the chocolate company.

Hershey’s main products were the Hershey’s Bar, which he launched in 1900, and Hershey’s Kisses launched in 1907.

He brought Mr. Goodbar to market in 1925, Hershey’s Syrup in 1920, chocolate chips in 1928, and Crackle in 1938.
Milton S. Hershey (1857-1945)