Milton Hershey was an aspiring entrepreneur who may not have created chocolate, but perfected it in his own, authentic way. Not only did he create one of the largest candy businesses in the world, but he was also known for how he gave back his fortune to others. He also founded Hershey, Pennsylvania, which is now a major tourist attraction for candy-lovers alike.

Hello, my name is Milton Hershey. I was born in a small farming community in Pennsylvania on September 13th, 1857. My mother Fanny Hershey was always strict on me, which helped my work ethic later on. My father Henry Hershey was a failed entrepreneur that I looked up to. I dropped out of school at the age of 13 and one year later I began working with a master confectioner in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Four years later, I received $150 from my aunt and opened my very first candy shop in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....

I wish I could say that my first attempt at a successful candy shop was in Philadelphia, however, I failed, but never gave up. In the coming years I would attempt shops in Chicago and NYC and once again fail. In 1883 I returned to Lancaster and started Lancaster Caramel Company. I had finally become successful and made a name for myself. I was shipping caramels all over the world!

While my caramel company was booming, I decided to go to the Chicago World's Fair of 1893. It was absolutely extravagant! While there I stumbled upon people making chocolate. Once again my adventurous side came out and came up with my greatest idea. I decided to sell Lancaster Caramel Company for $1 million so that I could open a chocolate factory in my hometown of Derry Township, Pennsylvania.

I first opened Hershey's Chocolate Company in 1905 in Derry Church, Pennsylvania. It became extremely successful once the famous "Hershey Kiss" was first created and sold in 1907. However, not until 1924 did they come with the foil packaging. My company was even more successful than the caramel company and my wealth grew tremendously.

The End....

Just kidding, did you really think I would be satisfied after becoming successful? My entrepreneurial side decided that I had to do more. I then built schools, parks, churches, recreational facilities and housing for my employees. My hometown was then renamed to Hershey, PA.

Public Library, 1932

Hershey Park, 1908

I made homes for my employees in Hershey but for my family, as well. High Point was my beloved estate that my one true love, Catherine Hershey, and I lived in for the rest of our lives. We opened our gardens on the estate to the public so that we could share the beauty of nature with others. My beloved Catherine passed away in 1915 after battling a long illness. I was devastated and never re-married.

High Point, 1913

Catherine Sweeney-Hershey, 1910

In 1918, I decided to give most of my funds, including my role in the company, to the Hershey Trust Company. From this, I was able to provide more to the community I had built. Because we were not able to have kids, most of the money went to the Milton Hershey school for orphans. I loved to give back to others so that they could live long, happy and successful lives, just as I had.

During the Great Depression, I created jobs for citizens of Hershey. I gave back to those in my community of Hershey, PA, however, I also helped contribute to the war efforts. During WWII, I supplied Ration D Bars and Tropical Chocolate Bars to the USA military forces, which had nutrients for the soldiers to keep going.

After my death in 1945, I was buried in none other than Hershey Cemetery. Even though I had passed, Hershey Chocolate Company proceeded to thrive. It added a few major other chocolate companies such as Reese's, Almond Joy, Twizzler, etc. Today Hershey, PA is still thriving just as much as it had before. There are an abundance of jobs and is a well known tourist attraction. In fact, it even has a waterpark and theme park. Even though I failed in the beginning, I pursued my dreams and made them happen, all thanks to my adventurous and entrepreneurial personality. Now, go to the store and find a Hershey's Chocolate Bar!