C.H. Guenther & Son history

To better market the flour that the Guenther mills produced, he adopted the "Guenther's Best" brand name for his highest grade of flour in 1875.

Founded in 1886, it was one of the oldest flour and corn milling operations in the state, and one of the few independents left in business.

Hence, in 1899 C.H. Guenther & Son (renamed a year earlier when after the death of Fritz the business was incorporated under the management of the family's youngest son, 30-year-old Erhard) acquired a dozen trademarks.

The business continued to grow, and to meet increased demand the company replaced its 40-year-old frame building with a six-story steel and concrete plant in 1914.

In 1922 a 20-story grain elevator was completed, in essence becoming San Antonio's first skyscraper.

To promote the Pioneer mixes, Guenther traveled the parade and fair circuit in Texas, with the marketing effort culminating in the 1952 Texas Food Fair in Houston where a 1,500-pound cake was baked using Pioneer cake mix.

Adolph Beckmann died in 1954 at the age of 66 and his 60-year-old cousin, Ernst Schuchard, replaced him.

Under Alfred Beckmann's 16-year turn at the helm, the company opened a new warehouse in 1967 large enough to serve the 12 states in which it operated.

When Beckmann stepped down as president in 1973, his replacement, Robert Schupback, who had been vice-president of sales, drove the company into the foodservice and restaurant channels.

In 1987 Duncanville, Texas-based Custom Bakers was purchased, adding frozen baked goods and biscuits to the mix and forming the foundation for what would become Pioneer Frozen Foods.

No-Fat Biscuit and Baking Mix was introduced in 1992.

Retail taco and chili mixes were added under the Pioneer label in 2000.

Jefferson, Greg, "San Antonio Food-Product Maker Opens Prosperity, S.C. Plant," San Antonio Express-News, November 23, 2002.