Milton S. Hershey – The Chocolate King Milton S. Hershey was born on September 13, 1857 to Mennonite parents in Pennsylvania approximately one mile from where he would later establish the town of Hershey. 1 His Mennonite upbringing would instill within Hershey values of modesty, social justice and perseverance that would be foundational to his success as an entrepreneur, businessman, and philanthropist. 2 Hershey quit school at the age of 12 and became an apprentice to a candy maker after being fired as a printer’s assistant. When Hershey turned 18 years of age, his family provided him with the financial backing to open up his own confectionary shop in Philadelphia, however, his lack of education and experience in the competitive business world would lead to the failure of his candy store after his horse-drawn delivery wagon was wrecked. His family would assist him financially in setting up another confectionary business in New York and by the time he turned 28 he would fail onc...