Was Milton Hershey A Success Or A Failure

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Milton Hershey

Milton Hershey was born September 13, 1857 to Fannie Snavely and Henry Hershey in the city of Derry Township, Pennsylvania. He had one sibling name Serina who was born in 1862. Fannie was the daughter of Bishop Abraham Snavely, who was of the Mennonite Church. His father too was a member of the Mennonite Church, but unfortunately, he always schemed “get rich schemes” that always seemed to fail. This would adversely affect the family, as there was not a stable environment for Milton and his sister. Milton attended several different schools due to this and never continued his studies after the 4th grade. He eventually moved to Nine Points, an area near the Lancaster, Pennsylvania
The original factory was spread on six acres of land and provided a pleasant and beautiful environment for Hershey’s employees. Besides failing to give up his dream after his former failed ventures, his care of his employees was another characteristic that made him a great leader. Milton wished for his employees to have a healthy and positive atmosphere. He was able to open up a recreational park near the factory for the workers, as well as the general public. The Cocoa House close to the factory was established to become a temporary site of a post office, bank, store, and boarding house for employees. Shortly after the Hershey Improvement Company was created to assist workers who desired to buy and own houses. Due to all of Milton’s influence in the area, the town name of Hershey, Pennsylvania was established in 1906. (n.d.). Retrieved from
Though they could not have children of their own, the couple came to the realization that their fortune was growing at a fast pace. It was Catherine’s idea to open a home that provided encouragement and resources to unfortunate boys. November 15, 1909 was the date when the Milton Hershey School came into existence. Being a visionary and philanthropist, Hershey wanted to provide orphan boys with the schooling and resources that he failed to receive as a child. He also developed a trust for the school and gifted Hershey Company Stock of sixty million. It was clear that Milton and his wife loved children and their community and wanted it to thrive. They later developed a trust for the benefit of Derry Township School District and an additional one for the M.S. Hershey Foundation. Catherine passed away in 1915; only 17 years after the marriage had begun. Milton remained a widower until his death in 1945.(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.hersheytrust.com/hershey_heritage_trusts/ Today the Hershey Company operates with more than 13,000 employees. The company’s product lines go beyond the basic chocolate; Hershey also has lines in sugar confectionary, gum and mints, snacks, pantry items, and kosher products. Some of their most popular items include Hershey Chocolate and Kisses, Reese’s, Ice Breakers, Kit Kats, Jolly Ranchers, York, Twizzlers, Whoppers, Symphony Bars, Mr. Goodbar, Almond Joy, Mounds, and Pay Day Bars. Meng, C.