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Henry Knauer

Camden Republican County Committeeman

Henry Knauer

Henry Knauer

HENRY KNAUER was born on March 22, 1895 to John and Augusta Knauer, both whom had been born in Germany. By the time the 1920 Census was taken, the Knauer family owned a home at 1327 Lansdowne Avenue. John Knauer and Henry Knauer were both working as shipyard carpenters at this point. Besides Henry Knauer there were four other children, Hilda, Edward, John, and Elsie.

Henry Knauer married shortly after the census was taken. A son was born to him and wife Minnie in February of 1923, named Henry E. Knauer.

Henry Knauer became involved in local politics as a Republican. In May of 1934 he ran successfully for County Committeeman and for the nomination for freeholder from Camden’s Thirteenth Ward. He supported David Baird Jr. against Albert S. Woodruff during the bitter struggle for control of Camden County’s Republican Party in the May primary. Henry Knauer’s close ties to David Baird Jr. may have in the long run hurt him politically in Camden, especially after the George Brunner’s Democrat organization became ascendant in the city during the late 1930s.

The 1947 Camden City Directory shows Henry Knauer living at 1674 Mount Ephraim Avenue, the bar that his brother Edward owned, known, appropriately enough, as Knauer’s Cafe. Henry Knauer worked there as a bartender, as did younger brother John, who still resided at the Lansdowne Avenue address.

By 1956 the Knauers had sold the bar. Henry Knauer had moved to Munn Lane in what was then Delaware Township (present-day Cherry Hill) NJ. Henry Knauer’s resided there until he passed away in August of 1979.

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Haines and Reinert Head G.O.P.; Madden To Lead Democrats

Camden Courier-Post

Camden Courier-Post June 1, 1932 — Haines and Reinert Head G.O.P.; Madden To Lead Democrats Joshua C. Haines portrait — Camden Courier-Post June 1, 1932

Baird and Mrs. Verga Decline Posts During Spirited Committee Session

Joshua C. Haines, Camden county register of deeds, was elected chairman of the Camden County Republican Committee at its reorganization last night in one of the most spirited contests held within the Organization in a decade.

Mrs. Isabella C. Reinert, of Collingswood, nominee for Assembly, was elected vice chairman.

Haines succeeds Walter S. Keown and Mrs. Reinert takes the post held by Mrs. Elizabeth C. Verga.

Their election came at 11.30 p. m., after more than three hours of heat—
(Continued on Page Two)

Hadley Faction Loses And Miss Kelley is Winner of Vice Chairmanship

Attempt of an insurgent Democratic faction to elect Raymond P. Hadley, of the Tenth Ward, as chairman of the Democratic committee, was overwhelmingly defeated at reorganization of the committee last night.

James A. Madden, of Collingswood, favored by Harry L. Maloney and Mrs. Emma E. Hyland, members of the state committee, was elected by a vote of 69 to 14 over Hadley. The meeting was held in the Women’s Democratic Club, 543 Washington street.

The faction also made an attempt
(Continued on Page Two)

Camden Courier-Post June 1, 1932 — Haines and Reinert Head G.O.P. continued from Page One Camden Courier-Post June 1, 1932 — Republican County Committee member list

Haines and Reinert Head County G.O.P. (Continued from Page One)

ed argument behind closed doors, and after former U. S. Senator David Baird and Mrs. Verga had declined to accept the offices.

Keown, Hanna Mentioned

Others nominated were Keown and Camden City Commissioner Frank B. Hanna, for chairman, and Mrs. Etta C. Pfrommer, of the Eleventh Ward. Mrs. Pfrommer twice declined.

In previous years reorganization of the county committee had been effected without dispute, and with unanimous action by the members. Last night, however, the discussion waged long and loud.

Though newspapermen were excluded from the meeting, the voices of the debating members coming through the locked doors left no doubt as to the progress of the election.

Other officers were re-elected as follows: Howard B. Dyer, secretary; William D. Sayrs, Jr., treasurer, and Mrs. Lottie B. Stinson, assistant secretary. Mrs. Anna G. Holl, of Collingswood, was elected assistant treasurer to succeed Mrs. Reinert.

Keown opened the meeting and then Baird spoke.

The former Senator presented the recommendation of the Republican executive conference committee that the members elect Haines and Mrs. Reinert in view of the fact that Keown and Mrs. Verga had resisted all requests to continue.

Then Mrs. Margaret Wermuth, of Delaware township, and Carlton M. “Cy” Harris, of the Twelfth Ward, presented a petition signed by virtually all the committee, asking Baird and Mrs. Verga to accept the chairmanship and vice chairmanship.

Baird Declines

Baird then declared that he was unable to take over any additional work.

“I must not be chosen, but must work with and for you, and I ask that you respect my wishes.”

He then proposed that Haines and Mrs. Reinert be chosen unanimously.

Despite his proposal, Mrs. Wermuth moved the election of Baird and Mrs. Verga. The vote was virtually unanimous. Immediately J. C. Remington, Jr., of Haddonfield, moved to adjourn. The chair refused to recognize the motion.

Several members threatened to resign from the committee unless Baird and Mrs. Verga accepted. To this Baird answered:

“I’m still fighting for the party, no matter who quits. If you quit, you’re not worthy to be members.” His remarks were greeted with applause.

In announcing her decision not to accept renomination Mrs. Verga said her duties as state vice chairman, taking her into all the 21 counties, made it impossible for her to continue to devote the time to the county committee which it deserved. In explaining these reasons to the vice chairman still has two years to run.

Haines Finally Elected

Then Baird accepted the resignation from the chairmanship and Mrs. Verga from the vice chairmanship.

Keown was nominated for re-election, and Hanna for the chairman position.

Baird was renominated by Remington. Keown reiterated his insistence, issued some months ago, not to stand for re-election. Baird again declined.

Then Keown moved the election of Haines and Mrs. Reinert and the discussion which followed continued for three hours. Finally the vote was taken at 11.30 and Haines and Mrs. Reinert were elected.

Mrs. Reinert, however, declined the office, stating her candidacy for the Assembly precluded her at this time. Then Mrs. Pfrommer was nominated, but she turned it down twice. After much persuasion Mrs. Reinert agreed to accept the office, with the provision that she serve through the summer and that she be permitted to resign later, if she wished.

In congratulating Mrs. Reinert, Congressman Charles A. Wolverton urged the election of Baird and Mrs. Verga.

The committee elected the following solicitors: Carl Kisselman, Edward R. Deibert, L. Scott Cherchesky, William E.A. King, J. Claud Simon, T. Phillips Brown, J. H. Reiners, Jr., Rocco Palese and Morris Praissman.

Members of the Republican County Committee, which organized last night, follow:

Camden City (*Indicates New Member)
First Ward—William H. Heiser and Marie McCready
Second—James Corea and *Susie Marchiano
Third—James E. Tatem and *Mary A. Ivins
Fourth—Martin A. McNulty and Madeline Salvatore
Fifth—Howard B. Dyer and Mary S. Hartung
Seventh—Edward A. Kemble and Mary D. Guthridge
Eighth—*Edmund A. Walsh and Mamie F. Piraine
Ninth—Edward Holloway and Deborah Schuck
Tenth—*Henry I. Haines and Lillian M. Walker
Eleventh—Horace B. Beideman and Etta C. Pfrommer
Twelfth—Carlton M. Harris and Mary E. Hamel
Thirteenth—Henry Knauer and Louella I. Whaland
Fourteenth—Jesse M. Donaghy and Lottie B. Stinson

Boast of Political Aid Costs Driver $10 Fine

Camden Courier-Post

His boasts that he could bring political pressure to bear if he was arrested cost Joseph Mrozowski, 49, of 1474 Kenwood Avenue, $10 in police court yesterday.

He was arrested by Policeman Ivan Morris at Louis and Chestnut Streets for pulling out of a traffic line.

“If you arrest me I will get Committeeman henry knauer or commissioner Rhone to get me out,” Morris quoted Mrozowski as saying.

Mrozowski admitted that he told Morris he would telephone Knauer but denied mentioning Dr. Rhone’s name.

Celebration Planned

Camden Courier-Post

A flag-raising and parade are street among the events planned in the Fourth of July program being arranged by the Dayton Community Association.

Four-year-old Barbara Fallon unfurl a large flag at the home of J. Nehring, 1223 Dayton Street, at 9 a.m. In the flag-raising exercises, Nehring has donated the banner. Barbara is his granddaughter.

Arrangements have been completed to have American Legion Posts 74, 231 and 2685, together with two troops of Boy Scouts and a motorcycle police escort to parade with the officers and members of the association from Kaighn and Mt. Ephraim avenues to the scene of the flag raising.

The parade will form at 8.30 a. m. and will march along Mt. Ephraim Avenue to Dayton Street to Nehring’s home.

Samuel P. Orlando, former assistant prosecutor, will deliver an address after the flag-raising. Herbert C. Vennell, the president, will preside. Henry Knauer, Republican county committeeman, will address the association at 1 p.m. The association will meet tomorrow night at the home of William Bowers, 1359 Dayton.

Henry Knauer

Camden Courier-Post

Camden Courier-Post May 16, 1934 — Henry Knauer

HENRY KNAUER

Republican candidate for nomination for freeholder with Baird-Baker support, was leading John Wagner, of the Woodruff-Verga faction almost three-to-one last night on a basis of returns from five of the 12 districts in the Thirteenth ward.

Knauer, who is also a candidate for nomination for county committeeman, polled a total of 388 votes in the First, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth and Eleventh Precincts. Wagner’s total for the same districts was 159 votes.

What Do YOU Think

Camden Courier-Post

By CHARLEY HUMES

I DON’T KNOW A THING ABOUT POLITICS
(But politicians— well that’s different)

Camden Courier-Post October 31, 1936 — What Do YOU Think — Henry Knauer by Charley Humes

What Do YOU Think — Henry Knauer (By Charley Humes)

HENRY KNAUER, formerly a power in the Thirteenth Ward (while campaigning under the slogan “Baird has no strings on me”) is a regular commuter now between Parkside and the Delaware Township Farm of Mister Baird.

Which, of course, is all right. But Henny shouldn’t try to fool all those people out there, because the only guy being fooled is Henny.

Doesn’t he know that he can’t board the Civil Service bandwagon on Haddon Avenue, drop off when it reaches the outskirts of the Baird farm and hop on again after it is safely past Mister Baird’s new legal residence?

And doesn’t Henny know that the Democrats know he has just come from a Republican Club when he drops in on them to knock over a few these near-election nights? And doesn’t he know that the Republicans know that he goes to the Democratic Club after he leaves the G.O.P. Club? I wonder if BOTH “Henny’s” shoulders are getting round? Or maybe there is not enough water concerned. I don’t know.

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