H and H Coffee

Dedicated to the history of the Hoffmann-Hayman Coffee Co. founded 1899 in San Antonio, Texas.

Biography of W. E. Hayman as the site currently documents him: Merchants Coffee Company founder, first president of Hoffmann-Hayman after the 1912 consolidation, and seller of his stake to the Menger brothers in January 1920. Narrative draws on (History) notes, Related Companies, early merger ads, and a 1919 San Antonio Light column that quotes him at length. Vital dates and family tree are still open (Mystery § II).

Who he was

Hayman is the Merchants half of the hyphen in Hoffmann–Hayman. The timeline’s October 1912 entry (retrospective San Antonio Light cite) describes William R. Hoffmann Coffee merging with Merchants Coffee, owned by W. E. Hayman, to form Hoffmann-Hayman Coffee Company. Officers listed there: Hayman, president; Mrs. Hoffmann (Minnie Menger), vice president; Gus P. Menger, secretary (History, 1912 entry).

That structure followed William Robert Hoffmann’s January 1912 death. Display copy immediately branded Hoffmann-Hayman as successor to Wm. R. Hoffmann and Merchants Coffee—see the 4 February 1912 announcement and 11 February 1912 West Commerce wholesale notice. Neither clip is a biography of Hayman; they establish the merged trade identity.

Through 1919, Hayman still appears as the firm’s public spokesman. A 11 November 1919 San Antonio Light feature on Hoffmann-Hayman’s growth and advertising campaign names “Mr. Hayman” throughout quoted interview copy—stressing quality, same-day roasting and delivery, pride in San Antonio labor and institutions, and confidence in H & H Blend as a home product versus “imported brands” kept in warehouse (full column + transcription). The article also summarizes consolidation history (Merchants + William R. Hoffmann Store seven years earlier) and locates the works in the Caffarelli Brothers block at North Medina and West Travis—context that overlaps the timeline’s 307 N. Medina chapter (History, 1912 November move entry).

In January 1920, Hayman sold his interest to the Mengers. G. P. Menger became president; R. W. Menger, secretary–treasurer; Mrs. William J. Schlosser (Minnie Menger Hoffmann) remained vice president (History, 1920 entry — San Antonio Evening News cite on the timeline). After that handoff, long-run leadership on this site is chiefly the Menger officer arc; Hayman’s documented role is the Merchants → merged presidency → exit interval.

Life dates and family

Birth, death, marriage, and residences for W. E. Hayman are not yet filed on the public timeline. When census, city directory, probate, or cemetery evidence is pinned, add it to events.yml and update this page.

After Hoffmann-Hayman: Related Companies lists Tucker Coffee Company (1920s, 422–424 Ruiz Street) with capital stock attributed in site material to H. W. Tucker, H. H. Tucker, and W. E. Hayman — a related San Antonio coffee line, not a predecessor of H and H.

Company timeline (Hayman arc)

  • Pre-1912 — Merchants Coffee Company described here as founded by Hayman (Related Companies).
  • 1912 — Merchants merges with Hoffmann’s firm → Hoffmann-Hayman; Hayman president (timeline).
  • 1917 — Timeline records Hoffmann-Hayman’s acquisition of Morrison Coffee Co. while consolidated operations remain tied to the Medina–Travis quarters (History, 1917 March entry). Hayman was still president until 1920 on this site’s officer chronology; site copy does not yet attribute the Morrison deal to him personally.
  • 1920 — Hayman sells out to the Mengers; G. P. Menger succeeds as president (timeline).

Printed and contextual legacy on this site

  • 1912 San Antonio Light — successor display for Wm. R. Hoffmann + Merchants Coffee (Feb announcement); H and H W. locator at 1223 West Commerce (Feb Commerce notice).
  • 1919 San Antonio Light — Mr. Hayman quoted on growth, quality, and H & H Blend; consolidation recap (striking example feature).
  • 1923 San Antonio Light — “New Home of a Great Institution” spread summarizes Merchants consolidation and later officer lines (post-1920 leadership); useful backdrop after Hayman’s exit (spread).
  • Timeline — merger officer line (October 1912) and 1920 buyout sources (History).

How we cite him

  • Prefer W. E. Hayman on first mention in narrative; Hayman after.
  • Period interview copy may read Mr. Hayman — preserve when quoting newspapers.
  • Keep him distinct from William Robert Hoffmann: Hayman represents Merchants and early merged presidency, not authorship of the H and H blend narrative the site assigns to Hoffmann-era copy.

See also