The Sweet Story of Abbott’s

William Clay Abbott was born in 1871 to Levi and Mary Abbott. As a young man, W.C. was employed as a traveling salesman for a local candy manufacturer, Dilling Candy Company. Robert H. Bryson of the New Castle Courier-Times said, “For quite some time (Will) Abbott was one of Dilling’s top salesmen. But he carried with him the burning desire to someday make a candy that would bear his name, to make something a little better, a product that would bring to him the satisfaction of giving to candy lovers ‘the best’.”

W.C. Abbott returned to his hometown of Hagerstown, Indiana, turning in his business suit for an apron. He soon owned and operated a restaurant on Main Street, specializing in fried chicken, steak, short orders, and pastries. Word about his delicious meals spread, and W.C. was requested to serve the Indiana State Fair Board and honored guests. During this period, W.C. experimented and created the first Abbott’s candy… butterscotch. As its fame spread, his penny stick taffy, or “Je bo”, and homemade ice cream made their debut.