William R. Hoffmann
William R. Hoffmann
Founder of the wholesale coffee, tea, and spice business that became the Hoffmann-Hayman Coffee Co. His death in January 1912 triggered the company’s incorporation. By 1908 he was described as “a noted character in San Antonio.”
Portrait
A portrait photograph of Hoffmann was published in the San Antonio Light, February 14, 1908.
Biography
Origin: Native of Germany. Emigrated to America with his parents; the family settled at New Braunfels, Texas.
Early career: Before arriving in San Antonio, Hoffmann lived in New Braunfels and St. Louis — described as “formerly of New Braunfels and St. Louis” in his 1909 marriage notice. He likely gained experience in the coffee and tea trade during his St. Louis period.
Arrival in San Antonio: His 1908 profile states he “established himself in business in San Antonio six years ago,” placing his arrival around 1902. An earlier claim of 25 years’ residency (in the 1912 death notice) may be inaccurate or may count time in the broader Texas area. Best estimate: came to San Antonio ~1902.
First position: Before starting his own business, Hoffmann was a clerk in the grocery of George C. Sauer on Alamo Plaza, where he first started in the coffee-roasting business, using a small hand roaster “hardly larger than a 50-pound lard can.” (Source: Tiny Roaster article, Dec 21, 1932)
Residence:
- ~1909: new cottage at Nolan and Hackberry Streets (from marriage announcement)
- Oct 1911: 681 Nolan Street (from housekeeper want ad placed by Mrs. Wm. R. Hoffmann)
- 1912 (at death): 631 Nolan Street (from funeral notice — may be same address with different transcription, or a move between Oct 1911 and Jan 1912)
Business
Early address (1908): Rear of 208 East Commerce Street (also recorded as 228 East Commerce Street in 1912 — likely the same address with different numbering); warehouse on the Southern Pacific track.
By 1908: One of the leading business men of San Antonio. Contemplating “one of the largest plants in the south.”
Early brands (pre-H and H)
- Hoffmann’s Package Coffee — sold at 20–40 cents, available at all first-class grocers; “having quite a big run and people are asking for it every day”
- Gold Elephant tea — “of the finest flavor”
H and H Blend
Created October 1904 using a small hand roaster. This became the company’s flagship product and the one the company later celebrated as its founding brand.
Marriage
Married Wilhelmina (Minnie) Menger on June 1, 1909, at the home of the bride’s parents on East Commerce Street. Only intimate relatives attended, including the Hoffmann family of New Braunfels.
Minnie is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. R. Menger of San Antonio — making Dr. R. Menger Hoffmann’s father-in-law, and Gus P. Menger (Hoffmann’s confirmed brother-in-law) Minnie’s brother.
Family
- Wife: Wilhelmina “Minnie” Menger (daughter of Dr. R. Menger)
- Brother-in-law: Gus P. Menger
- Children:
- A son who died in early January 1911 — the January 20, 1911 SA Light “Card of Thanks” from Mr. and Mrs. Wm. R. Hoffmann thanks friends for “kind words of consolation in our late bereavement of our darling son.” The October 1911 housekeeper want ad for “a household of two” confirms no surviving child by that date.
- An “infant daughter” referenced in the 1912 death notice — likely born between Oct 1911 and Hoffmann’s death Jan 10, 1912.
- William P. Hoffman appears as Vice President in December 1932 — possible son of the founder, though parentage is unconfirmed given the 1912 “infant daughter” reference. He may be a nephew or other relative.
- Parents: still resident at New Braunfels at time of death
- Siblings: three brothers, four sisters (from New Braunfels)
Death
Died Wednesday, January 10, 1912, at 1:45 p.m., at his residence, 631 Nolan Street, San Antonio, after a brief illness.
Age at death — conflicting sources:
- SA Express-News funeral notice: “53 years 2 months and 15 days” → born ~October 1858
- SA Light death notice: “33 years old” → born ~1879
Given that his 1909 marriage notice describes him as a “prosperous merchant” established since ~1902, and he emigrated with his family as a child, age 33 (born ~1879) is more internally consistent. The “53” in the Express-News is likely a printing error for “33.”
Funeral: January 11, at 4 o’clock from the residence, officiated by Rev. O. Hartmann of St. John’s Lutheran Church. Interment at City Cemetery No. 1.
Lodge memberships
Lotus Lodge (Knights of Pythias), Siemering Lodge (Hermann Sons), Germania Lodge (Knights and Ladies of Honor), Alamo Lodge (Royal Achates), Turner Verein, Retail Merchants’ Association.
Public reputation
By June 1908, a verse published in the San Antonio Light declared Hoffmann’s coffee had made him “a noted character in San Antonio.” The poem (signed “Sage T. Brush”):
“You get coffers for your gold / And coffins when you’re cold, / And a cough will take you off the doctors say, / But I think that I will have a / Steaming cup of Java. / And a century more on earth I’m going to stay.”