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History

In 1879, after being dissatisfied with the quality of the coffee that he was receiving for his grocery wholesale business, company founder Herman Hulman decided that he could roast higher quality coffee in house.  Hulman traveled to the east coast to secure a green coffee bean supplier and roasting equipment.  As a result of his trip, Hulman forged a business relationship with Jabez Burns & Sons, and returned to Terre Haute,  to begin spice grinding and coffee roasting. 

The United States Trademark and Patent Office documents Mr. Hulman selling his Rex Coffee blend for commerce in 1885 and issued a U.S. trademark to his son Anton Hulman on June 12th, 1905.  Rex Coffee was sold from Chicago to Louisville, Cincinnati to St. Louis. Hulman & Company roasted coffee and marketed them under a myriad of names including; Farmers Pride, Dauntless, Crystal and Delicious Sips to name a few.  Coffee roasting activity remained a staple of Hulman & Company until 1968.