H and H Coffee

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

Short biography of Wilhelmina “Minnie” Menger Hoffmann (later Mrs. William J. Schlosser, née Menger) — vice president of Hoffmann-Hayman after the 1912 merger, Menger Hotel family circle, and bridge between her late husband’s roasting house and decades of Menger leadership. Grounded in material on this site and in events.yml on the History timeline.

Who she was

Wilhelmina Menger Hoffmann is the Mrs. Hoffmann named when Merchants Coffee and W. E. Hayman merged with William R. Hoffmann’s firm in October 1912: Hayman became president, Mrs. Hoffmann (Minnie Menger) vice president, and her brother Gus P. Menger secretary (timeline, San Antonio Light cite on the 1912 merger entry). After William’s January 1912 death, she remained the family anchor as the company became Hoffmann-Hayman and, following Hayman’s 1920 exit to the Mengers, Mrs. William J. Schlosser (Minnie Menger Hoffmann) stayed vice president beside G. P. Menger (president) and R. W. Menger (secretary–treasurer) (timeline, 1920 entry).

Contemporary copy stressed her role as a San Antonio industrial voice: the 26 August 1923 San Antonio Light factory series prints her portrait as Mrs. (Dr.) William J. Schlosser, vice-president and director, with copy that she “demonstrates her belief that San Antonio capital should be used in the promotion of San Antonio’s industries” (profile clip — transcription on that post). The 1932 Delaware Street factory generation lists her among officers as Mrs. William J. Schlosser alongside her brothers (e.g. 1932 Sunday Light reprint post).

Life dates and family

Per the site timeline (History):

  • Died: 1956 — trade press notes the death of Mrs. Wilhelmina (Minnie) Schlosser, née Menger, long tied to Hoffmann-Hayman as an officer (timeline, 1956 entry; Coffee and Tea Industries and the Flavor Field, vol. 79).

She was daughter of Dr. Rudolph Menger and Catherine Menger (Catherine a granddaughter of William L. Menger, owner of the Menger Hotel); her brothers Gustav P., Rudolph W., T. J., L. B., and A. G. Menger appear on letterhead and in 1923–1934 press as company officers (People, History). With William Robert Hoffmann she had a son, William R. Hoffmann Jr., born 11 December 1910, buried 15 January 1911 (International Women’s Day note, Find a Grave on the timeline). She later married Dr. William J. Schlosser (died 1963; timeline).

A public birth date is not yet carried on the site timeline; when a primary cite is filed, it belongs in events.yml and here.

Company timeline (Menger–Hoffmann era)

  • 1912 — Vice president at the Hoffmann-Hayman formation after merger with Hayman; brother Gus secretary (timeline).
  • 1920 — Hayman sells out; G. P. Menger president; R. W. Menger secretary–treasurer; Mrs. William J. Schlosser (Minnie Menger Hoffmann) remains vice president (timeline).
  • 1932 — With her brothers she belongs to the leadership generation associated in press with the new East Side factory (Delaware Street plant); narrative summary on the IWD post and factory coverage such as Hoffmann-Hayman plant modern throughout.

Visual and printed legacy on this site

How we cite her

  • First mention: Wilhelmina “Minnie” Menger Hoffmann or Mrs. William J. Schlosser (née Menger) when the period source uses the married name; Minnie is acceptable after introduction when context is clear.
  • Period newspaper labels vary (Mrs. William R. Hoffmann, Mrs. (Dr.) William J. Schlosser); prefer quoting the masthead or caption when attributing a specific clip.
  • Do not collapse her story into 1932 architecture alone — her officer role runs from 1912 through the trade press at 1956.

See also