Milton S. Hershey was a famous entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded the Hershey Chocolate Company. He was born in Derry Township, Pennsylvania, in 1857 and grew up in poverty. He dropped out of school at the age of 14 to work in a caramel factory.
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In 1876, Hershey opened his own caramel company in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The company was successful, and Hershey eventually sold it for $1 million. With the money from the sale, Hershey founded the Hershey Chocolate Company in 1894.
Hershey was a pioneer in the chocolate industry. He was the first to mass-produce milk chocolate in the United States, and he also developed a unique process for making chocolate that was more affordable and accessible to the average person.
The Hershey Chocolate Company grew rapidly under Hershey's leadership. By the early 1900s, it was one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in the world. Hershey also used his wealth to build a model town around the company's headquarters in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The town, which is still known as Hershey today, features parks, schools, and other amenities for its residents.
Hershey was a philanthropist who believed that everyone deserved a chance to succeed. He donated millions of dollars to charity, and he founded the Hershey Industrial School, which later became known as Milton Hershey School, to provide education and care for orphaned and disadvantaged children.
Hershey died in 1945 at the age of 88. He is considered one of the most important figures in the history of chocolate, and his legacy continues to live on today.
Family Overview
Milton Hershey came from a wealthy Mennonite family. His father could never find the level of success he dreamed of, but his grandparents had.
His parents never officially divorced but did separate and lived as a divorced couple. His mother took care of him due to his father's failures and absence.
He lost his sister at a young age, and he and his wife did not have any children prior to her death.
He focused his energy on his company and non-profit. He spent much of his life developing a home for young boys and, eventually, young girls. He also built Hershey, Pennsylvania, to take care of his workers and give them a higher standard of living.
Family Tree Chart
Parents:
Henry Hershey (1829 - 1904) - He was born in Pennsylvania and was known as a dreamer. He bounced around from dream to dream, and after his daughter's death, he pushed his wife away. Although they never divorced, she listed herself as a widow. Later in life, his son took care of him, and he would say that those were the best days of his life.
Veronica Buckwalter Snavely (1835 - 1920) - She had a hard marriage after the death of her daughter. Her husband would leave her in search of opportunity, and she was left as a single mother. She instilled into Milton her beliefs and taught him the scripture. Her values would shape him into his adult life. He took care of her as she grew older.
Sister:
Sarena Hershey (1862 - 1867) - She was born and died young of scarlet fever. Her death devastated her family.
Wife:
Catherine Elizabeth Sweeney (1872 - 1915) - She was the love of Milton Hershey's wife. Unfortunately, she never gave him children and developed a terrible illness. She died young, and Milton never remarried and always carried her picture with him. He focused his energy on his company and his home for boys. She was an influential part of his early success.