September 13: Birthday of Milton Hershey (1857)
Prayer Idea
Pray for people who harvest and transport cacao to make chocolate.
History Note
Milton S. Hershey was born in Pennsylvania on September 13, 1857. He was the only surviving son of Veronica and Henry Hershey. After moving several times, the family finally settled in Lancaster County.
Milton became an apprentice to a candy-maker in 1872. He struck out on his own in 1876 and established a candy-making business in Philadelphia to capitalize on the crowds coming to the Centennial Exposition there. This first business ended in failure.
After his experience in Philadelphia, Hershey spent time in Denver, Colorado. There he learned to make caramels with fresh milk. He returned to Lancaster County in 1886 and slowly built a successful caramel business. Milton Hershey met Catherine “Kitty” Sweeney at a candy shop in New York while delivering caramels. They married in 1898.
Hershey had attended the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893. An exhibit on German chocolate-making caught his attention. He ordered equipment and began experimenting. In 1900 Hershey sold his caramel business to focus on chocolate.
Milton Hershey built a factory and then started building a town for his workers and their families. This became the town of Hershey, Pennsylvania. It eventually included homes, schools, churches, stores, a hotel, a sports arena, and a park.
Milton and Kitty Hershey did not have children of their own. They founded the Hershey Industrial School in 1909 to provide a home-like environment for orphaned boys and opportunities for them to learn valuable skills. After Kitty died in 1915, Milton devoted his large fortune to support the school and the community of Hershey.
Milton Hershey died in 1945 at the age of 88.
Milton and Kitty Hershey. Image courtesy the Milton Hershey School.
Learn More
This video provides a quick biography of Milton Hershey.
Find more resources at Homeschool History.
