Joseph D.
"Joe Wenzell"
Wenzelle

JOSEPH DELAWARE WENZELLE was born in Camden NJ on August 21, 1880 or August 21, 1881. Census records indicate the latter, his draft card the former. He may have given the earlier date to appear older in the eyes of the draft board, as America was involved in World War I at the time.

He appears to be the grandson of Nicholas and Amanda Wenzelle, Nicholas Wenzelle lived at 301 North Front Street from the 1870s through 1890, when he relocated to 33 Market Street. He was a "commission merchant" in 1880, but had gone into the manufacture of electric goods by 1887. The Wenzelles had two sons at home in 1880, Delaware, 18, and George, 15.

Joseph Wenzelle apears in the 1900 Census as living at 902 North 2nd Street with Amanda Wenzelle, Nicholas having passed away. He is listed as her stepson in this Census, however, in 1920 he is noted as her grandson. Amanda Wenzelle owned the building, which was subdivided into apartments. A physician, Dr. Walter Bray, resided their from the 1890s through the 1910s. Joseph D. Wenzelle was working as a messenger at that time. When the census was taken in 1910, Joseph D. Wenzelle was not living at 902 North 2nd Street. He had returned to that address by 1918.

Joseph D. Wenzelle married Mary Snyder in Camden in 1900. A daughter, Jennie was born around 1903. The marriage, unfortunately was not a happy one. Joseph Wenzelle sued for divorce on the grounds of desertion. The divorce was granted in Trenton NJ on May 11, 1914. 

A "Delaware Wenzelle" was married to Winnora McEvan in Oregon in 1904. This is most certainly is a relation of some sort.

On September 22 of 1918, when he registered for the draft, Joseph Wenzelle was living at 902 North 2nd Street in North Camden, at the home of his grandmother, Amanda Wenzelle. He was then working as a crane operator at the New York Shipbuilding Corporation's yard on Broadway. He was still residing at 902 North 2nd Street in January of 1920, when the Census was taken. Joseph Wenzelle indicated at that time that he was then a widower.  

At the time of the 1930 Census, Joseph Wenzelle was living at 219 Market Street in Camden. He listed his occupation at that time as "installment collector". On August 10, 1933 Camden police staged a raid on 219 Market Street. Joe Wenzelle was arrested for operating a large gambling operation centered around placing bets on horse racing. 

Joseph D. Wenzelle died in Dade County, Florida in 1951.

BLAMED HIS WOES ON WIFE’S MOTHER
Joseph D. Wenzelle Gets Divorce Decree on Grounds of Desertion
SAYS SHE LEFT SEVERAL TIMES

Trenton, May 11- Too much influence alleged to have been wielded by his mother-in-law over her daughter resulted in a final decree being granted today by Chancellor Walker in the divorce proceedings brought by Joseph D. Wenzelle, of Camden, against his wife, Mary Snyder Wenzelle. He charged that his wife had been inveigled into leaving home several times, and on one occasion he found a note in which she said she was tired of him and married life. He says that he tried to induce his wife to leave the home of her mother but she refused. The grounds upon which the action was based was desertion. The couple was married in 1900 in Camden, by Rev. William D. Burrell. One child, Jennie, now 11 years old, was the result of the union. The father asks for her custody.

Joseph "Joe" Wenzell's horse race bookmaking establishment at 219 Market Street was raided yesterday by police.

Fifty-one men, including Wenzell, were arrested as the raiders seized form-sheets, telephones, adding-machines and an elaborate loud­speaking system. used to announce "the winners" from a rear office.

About $50 in cash was picked up by police as they guarded all doors and windows to prevent a rush for the exits.

Wenzell, 50, gave his address as that of the raided place. He was released after the raid in $200 security, charged with operating a gambling establishment, for a police court hearing today.

Wenzell filed the bail, then peeled $500 from a large roll to place as bail for the others arrested, all held as material witnesses. They were freed at the rate of $10 each, also to appear today.

Detectives Clarence Arthur and

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Joseph Wenzell, 50, was fined $100 yesterday in Camden police court after he had pleaded guilty to operating a horse race betting establishment.

But the fine was only a small portion of what the raid at 219 Market Street cost Wenzell, as 50 persons arrested in the place and for whom Wenzell posted $500, at $10 a head bail, failed to appear in court and their security was declared forfeited.

Wenzell and the other were arrested at 3.30 p. m., Thursday, when detectives from headquarters led police in the raid at the Market Street address.