Milton Hershey’s Childhood
Central Pennsylvania in the mid-1800s was a landscape of farmland stretching for miles, with only one main road for farmers hauling their wagons. It was in this world, in Derry Township, that Milton Hershey was born.
A descendant of Swiss and German immigrants, Milton Hershey grew up in a Mennonite community speaking Pennsylvania German, also known as Pennsylvania Dutch, at home.
As an adult, Milton often spoke about experiencing the American Civil War as a child. He earned coins by doing odd jobs for his aunt. In 1863, Confederate forces advanced into Pennsylvania. Before his family fled the area, Milton buried his coins for safekeeping. Fortunately, the battle never made it past Gettysburg, but when the family returned home, young Milton had trouble finding his buried treasure.
Milton Hershey’s Family
His mother, Veronica “Fanny” Snavely Hershey, was a devout member of the Reformed Mennonite Church. His father, Henry Hershey, was a dreamer who pursued one business venture after another.
When Milton Hershey was about ten years old, sickness hit the family. His younger sister, 4-year-old Sarena, died of scarlet fever in 1867.
Henry was not home at the time of her death. The loss changed Milton’s homelife, and his parents’ marriage never recovered. Over time, his parents quietly separated, although they never formally divorced, and his father spent long stretches away.
Success Magazine, October 1927“My father was an impractical visionary who never carried anything to a conclusion. My mother learned this to her sorrow … So I knew that I mustn’t ever let go till I got there.”
From School to Work
At the time, children in rural Pennsylvania often attended small, one-room schoolhouses. They balanced lessons with farm work.
Milton Hershey’s childhood was no exception. Because his family moved frequently, he attended at least seven different schools. He never progressed beyond what today we would consider the fourth grade.
By the fall of 1871 Milton’s father, Henry, arranged an apprenticeship at a local newspaper. Milton hated the work and after only a couple months got himself fired.
The Start of Something Sweet
His mother arranged a second apprenticeship, this time at Royer’s Ice Cream Parlor and Garden in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. As a new apprentice, Milton Hershey waited on tables, swept the floors, and turned the ice cream.
When his mother, Fanny, learned he was doing small jobs, she went to Royer and made an agreement: “I will pay you extra,” Fanny said, “if you will have someone else turn the ice cream. My boy wants to make candy.”
Timeline of Milton Hershey’s Early Life
1856
Henry H. Hershey and Veronica “Fanny” B. Snavely, parents of Milton S. Hershey, were married in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
1857
Milton Snavely Hershey was born on a farm in Derry Church, Pennsylvania.
1862
Sarena Hershey, sister of Milton Hershey, was born.
1866
Henry Hershey moved his family to a farm in Nine Points, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This is one of many moves the Hershey family made during Milton’s childhood.
1867
Milton’s sister, Sarena, died of scarlet fever at four years old.
1871
Milton Hershey ended his formal education and was apprenticed to Samuel Ernst, printer, in Gap, Pennsylvania. He was fired shortly thereafter.
1872
Milton Hershey was apprenticed to Joseph R. Royer, Confectioner, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
1. Where was Milton S. Hershey born?
Correct! Not quite — B is correct!
2. Where did Milton Hershey spend most of his childhood?
Correct! Not quite — B is correct!
3. What language did Milton Hershey and his family speak at home?
Correct! Not quite — C is correct!
4. What war took place during Milton Hershey’s childhood?
Correct! Not quite — C is correct!
5. What happened to Milton Hershey’s sister?
Correct! Not quite — A is correct!
Explore More of The Hershey Legacy
Values and Vision
Discover the beliefs that guided Milton Hershey’s decisions and see how his commitment to fairness, hard work, and opportunity shaped his legacy.
Chocolate Entrepreneur
Trace Milton Hershey’s journey from caramel maker to chocolate pioneer. See how he transformed a business into a company that redefined chocolate in America and beyond.