www abdopublishing com Published by Abdo Publishing a division of ABDO PO Box 398166 Minneapolis Minnesota 55439 Copyright 2015 by Abdo Consulting Group Inc International copyrights reserved in all countries No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher Checkerboard Library is a trademark and logo of Abdo Publishing Printed in the United States of America North Mankato Minnesota 052014 092014 Cover Photos Alamy Manuscripts and Archives Yale University Library Interior Photos Alamy pp 4 9 AP Images pp 18 19 21 24 Galt Museum and Archives Lethbridge Alberta p 8 Getty Images pp 5 14 20 25 27 Granger Collection p 17 iStockphoto pp 7 10 Manuscripts and Archives Yale University Library pp 1 23 Minnesota Historical Society p 11 O C Hognander p 15 Photolibrary pp 12 13 16 Rick McNees p 12 Washington Life Magazine p 22 Series Coordinator BreAnn Rumsch Editors Megan M Gunderson BreAnn Rumsch Art Direction Cover Design Neil Klinepier Library of Congress Control Number 2014941023 Mattern Joanne 1963 The Mars family M M Mars candy makers Joanne Mattern p cm Food dudes ISBN 978-1-62403-497-8 1 Mars Forrest Juvenile literature 2 Mars Frank C 1882-1934 Juvenile literature 3 Mars Incorporated History Juvenile literature 4 Businessmen United States Biography Juvenile literature 5 Candy industry United States History Juvenile literature 6 Chocolate industry United States History Juvenile literature I Title HD9330 C654M376 2015 338 7’664153092273 dc23 B 2014941023
Contents Candy King 4 Trial and Error 6 Growing Up 8 Father and Son 10 Making Money 12 Torn Apart 14 Life in Europe 16 M M’s Magic 18 More than Candy 20 Family Ties 22 Quiet Years 24 Mars Today 26 Timeline 28 Fun Bites 29 Glossary 30 Websites 31 Index 32
The Mars Family M M Mars Candy Makers Candy King Mars Inc is one of the biggest food manufacturers in the world It is best known for making popular candies such as M M’s Snickers Milky Way and 3 Musketeers This family company’s history began more than 125 years ago with the birth of Frank Mars The M was first printed on M M’s candies in 1950
M M’s taste delicious alone or in baked treats Franklin C Mars was born on September 24 1882 Frank began his life in Hancock Minnesota but he grew up in Saint Paul There his father worked as a gristmill operator Mr Mars did not make a lot of money but he did bring home plenty of flour Frank’s mother Alva loved to bake She used all that flour to make bread cookies pies and cakes At a young age Frank caught polio Although he recovered he was never again able to stand or walk without a cane So instead of playing outside Frank stayed indoors with his mother To keep Frank busy in the house Alva taught him to make candy Frank grew up making caramels fudge and many other sweet treats By the time he was in high school Frank was creating his own candy recipes In 1901 he graduated from Breck School in Wilder Minnesota Frank was then ready to focus on his career 5
