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SatSep 13

Milton S. Hershey

Milton Snavely Hershey was born on September 13, 1857. He was a renowned American businessman, known as the chocolatier who founded The Hershey Company, manufacturer of the Hershey’s confectionary brand. He also pioneered the manufacture of caramel by using fresh milk. His business had become so successful that there is a company town in the U.S. named after him, the Hershey town in Pennsylvania. Hershey was also known for his philanthropic activities. He founded a boarding school for orphans and contributed a vast amount of his wealth to the development of the local community. Let’s celebrate his birthday by looking back at the life story of this amazing man.

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Milton Snavely Hershey

Nickname:

Milton S. Hershey

Birth date:

September 13, 1857

Death date:

October 13, 1945 (age 88)

Zodiac Sign:

Virgo

Height:

5' 7"

Net Worth:

$100 million

Background

Milton Snavely Hershey was born in Pennsylvania. He grew up in Derry Township alongside his parents, Henry Hershey and Veronica ‘Fanny’ Snavely. A man of German and Swiss descent, he was raised among Pennsylvania’s Mennonite community, speaking Pennsylvania Dutch as he grew up. Hershey had a younger sister, Sarena, who was born in April 1862 but passed away shortly after at four years old. They were a family of farmers and his father frequently left his wife and son for long periods. Hershey began attending school at six years old but didn’t continue past fourth grade. In 1871, young Hershey worked as an apprentice to Sam Ernst, a local printer who published a German-English newspaper. He was fired after he accidentally dropped his hat into one of the machines. Hershey’s father managed to convince Ernst to give him a second chance, but his mother and aunt, Mattie Snavely, wanted the boy to try learning how to make candy instead. Thus, in 1872, Hershey began his four-year apprenticeship with Joseph Royer, a confectioner in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Hershey moved to Philadelphia in 1876 to start his first ever confectionery business.

He traveled to Denver and worked at a local confectioner, where he learned how to produce caramels using fresh milk. He also traveled to New Orleans and Chicago to seek more opportunities. In 1883, Hershey started his training at New York City’s candy and restaurant chain, Huyler’s, as he settled in the city. He also started his second business there, which only lasted for around three years.

Following this failure, Hershey went back to Lancaster. He borrowed money from the bank and started the Lancaster Caramel Company, using all the knowledge and experiences he’d gained from his previous travels. His business immediately became a huge success. A British customer even liked his candies so much that after tasting them, he placed a huge order to be delivered to Britain. The success of Lancaster Caramel Company not only allowed Hershey to pay off his debt but also allowed him to get more ingredients and equipment to experiment with. The company already had two factories with over 1,300 workers by the early 1890s. After visiting Chicago in 1893 to attend the World’s Columbian Exposition, Hershey discovered his interest in chocolate. He decided to sell his Lancaster Caramel Company in 1900 for one million dollars and start the Hershey Chocolate Company. He also acquired a farm approximately 30 miles to the northwest of Lancaster to procure his supplies of fresh milk. Chocolate was still a luxury product at the time. Hershey was determined to develop a milk chocolate formula for American consumers.

After numerous trials and errors, the first bar of Hershey’s chocolate bar was produced in 1900. He spent two years from 1903 to 1905 to construct the entire facility of his company. It was designed to deploy the latest mass production technique to manufacture chocolate. Hershey’s milk chocolate was the first-ever nationally marketed product of its kind. He developed the iconic Hershey’s kisses in 1907, followed by The Hershey’s Bar with almonds in 1908. With his support, the surrounding area of the factory and dairy farm soon had a whole infrastructure, houses, churches, and businesses built for the local community.

Hershey was married to Catherine Elizabeth ‘Kitty’ Sweeney on May 25, 1898. Because the couple had no children, they decided to establish the Hershey Industrial School in 1909 with a Deed of Trust. Including control of the company, he transferred most of his assets to the Milton Hershey School Trust fund in 1918, so that it could benefit the Industrial School. Hershey established the M. S. Hershey Foundation in 1935. It is known to this day as a private charity that provides both educational and cultural opportunities for the residents of Hershey. Among the foundation’s contribution to the community was the Hershey Museum, the Hershey Theatre, the Hershey Gardens, and the Hershey Community Archives. The entrepreneur also built a family cemetery in the city of Hershey, Pennsylvania, named Hershey Cemetery on Laudermilch Road. After his wife passed away on March 25, 1915, he moved her body to Hershey Cemetery in 1919. This was followed by the burial of his mother in March 1920 and the transfer of his father’s body to the same place in 1930. Hershey passed away due to pneumonia on October 13, 1945, in Hershey Hospital at 88 years old. He was buried right next to his wife’s grave. After his passing, the school that he established was renamed Milton Hershey School in 1951. As of 2020, the school has accommodated more than 2,000 students.

Career timeline

1872
The Apprentice

Hershey begins his study under confectioner Royer in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

1876
Confectionary Debut

Hershey moves to Philadelphia and starts his first confectionery business.

1883
The Second Business

After training at Huyler’s in New York City, Hershey opens his second confectionery business.

1886
Lancaster Caramel Company

Following the failure of his previous business, Hershey starts the Lancaster Caramel Company which quickly becomes a huge success.

1900
The Hershey’s Chocolate Bar

Hershey sells his Lancaster Caramel Company to start the famous Hershey Chocolate Company, producing the first-ever Hershey’s chocolate bar.

1909
Beginning of Philanthropist Activities

Hershey and his wife establish the Hershey Industrial School for the local orphans.

1935
Building a Foundation

The M. S. Hershey Foundation is founded.

1945
End of the Journey

Pneumonia claims his life and he is buried in Hershey Cemetery beside his wife.

Why We Love Milton S. Hershey

  1. He knew the value of hard work

    Born and raised in a rural place in a family of farmers, Hershey had been helping out on the family’s farm since a young age. This resulted in him learning how valuable hard work and perseverance are to achieve a good result. Although his effort in the confectionary business was not immediately successful, he continued to press on, going through many trials and errors, until he became one of the greatest chocolatiers the world has ever known.

  2. He was kind and compassionate

    Hershey didn’t hoard the fortune he gained from his success for himself. He was a man who took great pride in developing the school, town, and community around him. To this day, the Hershey Company has continued its founder’s charitable efforts.

  3. A good boss

    Hershey was known to be among the entrepreneurs with a progressive mindset during his time. He believed that his employees would be able to work better if their living condition was good. Therefore, he persisted in building a supportive and nurturing community for those who worked for him.

5 Surprising Facts

  1. Unmelting chocolate

    During World War II, Hershey’s company was tasked to develop non-melting chocolate for the troops, known as Ration D. Bars and Tropical Chocolate Bars, earning them five Army-Navy 'E' Production Awards.

  2. Tank parts manufacturer

    Hershey’s factory machine shop was used to manufacture tank parts and machines during the war.

  3. Escaped an early death

    The Hersheys were scheduled to join the R.M.S. Titanic’s maiden voyage in 1912, but they canceled at the last minute due to an urgent business matter, ultimately escaping the tragic fate of the ship’s passengers.

  4. A stamp for a great man

    To honor his philanthropic deeds, the United States Postal Service issued a 32-cent stamp on September 13, 1995, for Hershey, designed by Connecticut artist, Dennis Lyall.

  5. International Chocolate Day

    Hershey’s birthday on September 13 is now commemorated as International Chocolate Day.

Milton S. Hershey FAQs

Where did Hershey’s wife come from?

Sweeney was an Irish-American who hailed from Jamestown, New York.

Who inherited the Hershey fortune?

Since his asset transfer in 1918, the Hershey Company has been run by the Milton Hershey School Trust fund, now known as the Hershey Trust Company.

Which one is bigger, Hershey's or Mars?

Hershey’s remains the leading chocolate manufacturer with the biggest market share in the United States as of 2018. However, they only hold a small advantage over Mars.

Milton S. Hershey’s birthday dates

Year Date Day
2025 September 13 Saturday
2026 September 13 Sunday
2027 September 13 Monday
2028 September 13 Wednesday
2029 September 13 Thursday
September
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