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Article: Celebrity Profile: Milton Hershey, founder of Hershey's

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Celebrity Profile: Milton Hershey, founder of Hershey's

Early on in his working life, it seemed that the founder of one of the most successful candy businesses in the world was perhaps as bad at business as his father.  Working as an apprentice to the editor of a small German newspaper, Milton was fired when he deliberately dropped his hat into the press.  His mother, who always had high hopes for her husband and then for her son, procured him another apprenticeship, this time at a candy and ice making shop. 

In 1876, Hershey decided to try the candy business on his own, and borrowed money to print up business cards with which he tried to publicize his company during the Declaration of Independence centennial celebration in Philadelphia in 1876.  Though his plan did little to make his name known, his efforts did result in one important development: a candymaker in Denver told him that the secret to quality candy is fresh milk.  With this important piece of information, Hershey began experimenting for the perfect caramel recipe.  An English company bought a large amount of the caramels he made, and Hershey was so overjoyed that he ran to pay off his loan in his apron. 

>From that point on, the Hershey business took off.  The Hersheys enjoyed their new-found wealth with great relish, and soon adopted a gloriously luxurious style of living.  Hershey's good fortune skyrocketed with his decision to focus his energies on what he ultimately became universally famous for: chocolate.