H and H Coffee

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

Vice President of Hoffmann-Hayman Coffee Company as of December 1932. Likely the son of founder William R. Hoffmann, but the parentage has not been confirmed by primary documentation.

Documentation

The December 21, 1932 San Antonio Express-News “Tiny Roaster” article lists the H&H officer roster: “Gus P. Menger, president; Mrs. Schlosser, wife of Dr. William J. Schlosser and former widow; William P. Hoffman, vice president; R. W. Menger, secretary; T. J. Menger, treasurer.” Source: HH-CLIP-1932-0023.

This is the only confirmed documentation of William P. Hoffman in the KB. He appears as VP in a roster that otherwise consists entirely of Menger siblings and Minnie Menger Schlosser — which would make his inclusion unusual unless he was Hoffmann’s descendant holding a seat by succession or legacy.

Note on name confusion: The January 13, 1912 burial-permit entry “William P. Hoffman, aged 33 years, 631 Nolan street; stomach trouble” is a compositor’s typo for the founder William R. Hoffmann (confirmed by the same-day funeral notices). The two “William P. Hoffman” references are different individuals separated by 20 years.

Parentage hypothesis

The KB log notes: “William P. Hoffman appears as VP in Dec 1932 — likely Hoffmann’s son.” The founder William R. Hoffmann (1879–1912) died leaving a widow and at least one infant daughter. A son named William P. would have been born c. 1905–1912 and been ~20–27 years old in 1932 — consistent with a VP title held by a young family heir. However: the curator’s log subsequently revised the parentage to “unconfirmed.” No birth certificate, probate record, or family notation links William P. Hoffman to William R. Hoffmann by name.

Open questions

  • Is William P. Hoffman the founder’s son? Census records 1920 (Hoffmann household) and 1930 would be definitive.
  • Did he hold any role at H&H before or after December 1932?
  • What happened to the VP position after 1932 — no subsequent officer listings name a Hoffman in any role.

See also