Menger Family — Hoffmann-Hayman Coffee Co.
Menger Family — Hoffmann-Hayman Coffee Co.
The Menger family became the dominant force in the Hoffmann-Hayman Coffee Company following W. E. Hayman’s exit in 1920. By 1923 they held every senior role in the company. Their connection to the firm began at its founding through Minnie Menger Hoffmann.
Members and roles
Mrs. (Dr.) William J. Schlosser — née Minnie Menger
Role: Vice-President and Director (founding through at least 1923)
Daughter of Dr. R. Menger. Married William R. Hoffmann (co-founder). After his death she became one of three original incorporators of the Hoffmann-Hayman Coffee Company in February 1912. By 1923 she had remarried Dr. William J. Schlosser but retained her full interest and her role as Vice-President and Director.
The 1923 profile notes: “Mrs. Schlosser, a well-known San Antonio woman, who, by retaining her position in the Hoffmann-Hayman Coffee Co., demonstrates her belief that San Antonio capital should be used in the promotion of San Antonio’s industries.”
See also: Minnie Menger Schlosser
G. P. Menger — President (1920–1934+) — William R. Hoffmann’s brother-in-law
Confirmed relationship: The December 21, 1932 “Tiny Roaster” article states directly: “Following the death in 1912 of the founder, his brother-in-law, Gus P. Menger became associated with the firm.” This settles the family connection: Gus P. Menger was Hoffmann’s brother-in-law, meaning either Gus married one of Hoffmann’s sisters, or (more likely given Minnie Menger Hoffmann) Gus is Minnie Menger’s brother.
G. P. Menger — President (1920–1934+)
Role: President from 1920 (when he bought out W. E. Hayman’s interests) through at least October 1934.
The 1934 anniversary article identifies him as “G. P. Menger, president of the Hoffmann-Hayman Coffee Company, now celebrating 30 years in business in San Antonio.” The 1934 text also credits “the direction of G. P. Menger, R. W. Menger, and T. J. Menger” for the company’s growth.
The 1923 photo caption identified the president as “Gus R. Menger.” This is almost certainly the same individual — G. P. Menger, nicknamed Gus, with a middle initial discrepancy between the 1923 caption (“R.”) and all other sources (“P.”). The 1923 caption is likely an error. Resolved: G. P. Menger and “Gus R. Menger” are the same person.
Profile (1923): “A president that sells.” Known for keeping in close personal contact with grocers. “His very splendid personality has been the base of his extraordinary success as a salesman of the products he manufactures. He roasts the products you praise.”
Rudolph W. Menger (R. W. Menger) — Secretary-Treasurer
Full name confirmed: Rudolph W. Menger (SA Light, Aug 14, 1921)
Role: Secretary and Treasurer as of August 1921; Secretary-Treasurer by 1923; Secretary by 1934
Quote: “Our success is due to our ability to properly sell the proper quality products and to back him with effective advertising and sales-helps.”
Described as having “the figures” — the most informed person on company growth and progress.
T. J. Menger — Credit Manager (1923) → Treasurer (1934)
Role: Credit Manager (1923); Treasurer by October 1934
Prior to joining Hoffmann-Hayman, T. J. Menger was bookkeeper and teller at the Alamo National Bank for ten years.
Louis B. Menger (L. B. Menger) — Office Manager → Custodian of Accounts
Full name confirmed: Louis B. Menger (SA Light, Aug 14, 1921)
Role: Office Manager as of August 1921; Custodian of Accounts by 1923
Described as holding “a valuable but thankless job” — faithfully recording every transaction. Duties daily increasing as sales increased.
Albert G. Menger — President (1960–) — son of G. P. Menger
Role: Elected president May 4, 1960, succeeding his father.
The May 5, 1960 San Antonio Express-News announcement confirms the relationship: G. P. Menger, quoted as the new board chairman, said: “I am indeed proud that our directors have given the responsibility for leadership as president of this long-established San Antonio industry to my son, Albert.”
Biography: Age 42 in May 1960 (born c. 1917–1918). Graduate of St. Mary’s University, San Antonio. After graduation served five years in the U.S. Air Force. Joined Hoffmann-Hayman in 1945, with the firm for 15 years by his election.
Family: Wife Lemoyne; three children (Ruth, Barbara, Lemoyne). Residence: 206 Robinhood, San Antonio.
August Menger — Director (1960)
Named to the board of directors at the May 1960 stockholders/directors meeting alongside G. P., R. W., A. G. Menger, and Mrs. Mildred S. Holliday. Specific relationship to the other Mengers not yet established.
John C. Burkholder — VP of Sales (1960) — non-Menger
Not a member of the Menger family, but noted here for completeness of the 1960 leadership transition. Elected vice president in charge of sales May 4, 1960. With the firm since 1945; previously sales manager. Took charge of the firm’s entire sales territory: South Texas, from Austin to the Rio Grande Valley.
1960 leadership transition
At the May 4, 1960 stockholders and directors meeting:
| Office | Officer |
|---|---|
| Board Chairman (newly created) | G. P. Menger (former president) |
| President | Albert G. Menger |
| Executive Vice President | R. W. Menger |
| Vice President, Sales | John C. Burkholder |
| Secretary-Treasurer | T. J. Menger |
Directors elected: G. P. Menger, R. W. Menger, A. G. Menger, August Menger, Mrs. Mildred S. Holliday.
Family control timeline
| Period | President | Key Menger roles |
|---|---|---|
| 1912 | W. E. Hayman | G. P. Menger (Secretary), Minnie Menger Hoffmann (VP) |
| Jan 1920 | G. P. Menger (Menger brothers purchased business) | Rudolph W. Menger (Sec-Treas), Louis B. Menger (Office Mgr) |
| Aug 1921 | G. P. Menger | Rudolph W. Menger (Sec & Treas), Louis B. Menger (Office Mgr) |
| Dec 1922 | G. P. Menger | R. W. Menger (Sec-Treas), Mrs. William Schlosser (VP) — Minnie had already remarried |
| 1923 | G. P. Menger (caption error: “Gus R.”) | R. W. Menger (Sec-Treas), T. J. Menger (Credit Mgr), L. B. Menger (Accounts), Minnie Menger Schlosser (VP/Director) |
| Dec 1932 | Gus P. Menger | R. W. Menger (Secretary), T. J. Menger (Treasurer), William P. Hoffman (VP) |
| 1934 | G. P. Menger | R. W. Menger (Secretary), T. J. Menger (Treasurer), Minnie Menger Schlosser (VP) |
| May 1960 | Albert G. Menger (G. P. Menger → Board Chairman) | R. W. Menger (Exec VP), T. J. Menger (Sec-Treas), John C. Burkholder (VP Sales, non-Menger); directors also incl. August Menger, Mildred S. Holliday |
Dr. R. Menger — patriarch
The 1909 marriage notice identifies Wilhelmina (Minnie) Menger’s parents as Dr. and Mrs. R. Menger, residing on East Commerce Street. Since Gus P. Menger was Hoffmann’s brother-in-law (and Hoffmann married Minnie), Dr. R. Menger is almost certainly Gus P. Menger’s father as well — making Dr. R. Menger the patriarch of the Menger family in this business.
The 1912 SA Light death notice refers to “daughter of Dr. R. Menger” for Minnie, corroborating this.
Open questions
- What is the precise relationship among G. P., R. W., T. J., and L. B. Menger — brothers, cousins?
- Did Dr. R. Menger have any direct role in the business?
- When exactly did G. P. Menger join the company — was it immediately after Hoffmann’s death in 1912, or later?
- Who is August Menger (1960 director) — relation to G. P., Albert, etc.?
- Who is Mrs. Mildred S. Holliday (1960 director) — is she a Menger by birth (e.g. daughter or sister), and what is the connection?
- How long did Albert G. Menger serve as president before the mid-1960s Continental Coffee sale?