Early Career
Milton Hershey in his youth
On June 1, 1875, Milton started a candy business of his own at the age of 19 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Unlike Joseph Boyer, though, he didn't have a specific candy making plan, or a plan for the future for that matter. Each piece of candy in his store was one cent, and was run with the help of his Aunt Mattie. At several points in Milton's small business, Aunt Mattie had to write to Milton's uncle Abe for money to support his business, but even that was never enough. After six years of hard work, Milton's business failed. He then moved to Denver, Colorado, with his father who was currently exploring the silver mining business. While he was there, he discovered the
sweet gooey caramel, sold in small packages with little fortunes inside. His reaction to the caramel was not surprising. He tried and failed to set up shop in New York, Chicago and New Orleans. Finally, defeated, and all the members of his family shunning him for his failures, he turned to old friend Harry Lebkicker. He took him in and helped him get on his feet to start the "Lancaster Carmel Company" with the "Crystal A Cream Carmel". He was very successful, and very quickly became rich. Then in 1893, Milton got to see his first chocolate making machine and taste the first taste of chocolate. He said "Caramels are a fad, but chocolate is permanent".
sweet gooey caramel, sold in small packages with little fortunes inside. His reaction to the caramel was not surprising. He tried and failed to set up shop in New York, Chicago and New Orleans. Finally, defeated, and all the members of his family shunning him for his failures, he turned to old friend Harry Lebkicker. He took him in and helped him get on his feet to start the "Lancaster Carmel Company" with the "Crystal A Cream Carmel". He was very successful, and very quickly became rich. Then in 1893, Milton got to see his first chocolate making machine and taste the first taste of chocolate. He said "Caramels are a fad, but chocolate is permanent".