John Cadbury

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John Cadbury (1802-1889), was proprietor of a small chocolate business in Birmingham, England that has developed into Cadbury's one of the world's largest chocolate producers, currently part of Cadbury-Schweppes.

As a Quaker in the early 19th century, Cadbury was not allowed to enter the Universities and therefore could not pursue a profession such as medicine or law. Being pacifist, the military was not a possibility either. So like many other Quakers at that time, he turned his energies toward business.

In 1824, Cadbury opened a small grocery shop in Birmingham. In 1831, he shifted his business to become a manufacturer of drinking chocolate and cocoa. The business continued to grow to become a world-wide choclate producer.

Cadbury married twice. He and his first wife, Priscilla Ann Dymond (1799-1828) were married in 1826. In 1832 he married his second wife, Candia Barrow (1805-1855). By her he had seven children: John (1834-1866), Richard (1835-1899), Maria (1838-1908), George (1839-1922), Joseph (1841-1841), Edward (1843-1866), and Henry (1845-1875).

Cadbury retired in 1861 and his sons, Richard and George, continued to build the business.

For the rest of his life, Cadbury engaged in civic and social work in Birmingham until his death.