Introduction
JOSEPH SNYDER, known to family, friends, and baseball fans throughout South Jersey as Joe Snyder was born to Elmer D. and Bessie Snyder on May 20, 1907. Elmer Snyder was born in New Jersey in December of 1874, one of nine children born to Wilder and Catherine Snyder. The Snyders were living at 1702 South 6th Street in Camden’s Eight Ward when the 1900 census was taken. Elmer Snyder, still single and living with his parents and three younger siblings, was then working as an oilcloth printer. Bessie Snyder was born in Russia, of Jewish parentage, and had come to America in 1894.
Elmer Snyder had left home by the time the 1906 Camden City Directory was published, most likely having gone to Trenton NJ, where the family was living when the 1910 Census was taken. Elmer Snyder was still working as an oilcloth printer when the Census was enumerated. By the spring of 1917 the family, which by then included younger sisters Margaret and Ethel and younger brother Elmer, had moved to 331 Mechanic Street in South Camden. When Elmer D. Snyder registered for the draft on June 5, he was working at the Victor Talking Machine Company plant. When the Census was taken in 1920, the Snyder family had moved across the street to 316½ Mechanic Street. Elmer Snyder was then working as a nickel plater. He later found work as a polisher. The Snyder family stayed at 316½ Mechanic through 1927.
The 1927 City Directory shows Joe Snyder still in school. Two of his uncles still lived in Camden, Willard Snyder at 266 Liberty Street and Worthington Snyder at 1103 Emma Street. When the 1929 City directory was compiled, the Elmer Snyder family had moved to 525 North 32nd Street in East Camden. Joe Snyder by then was working as a bookkeeper, Elmer as a laborer. It is highly probable that they were both working for the City of Camden, as the 1930 Census shows them both in the same trade in city employ. Joe Snyder would remain in the same East Camden neighborhood for the rest of his life. By this time he was working as a clerk at Camden’s municipal garage. He would also work at the City garage for many years, finishing his career as the Superintendent of the police and fire garage on Wright Avenue.
Across the street in the next block at 602 North 32nd Street lived the Stanley Miller family. Their daughter, Edwina “Winnie” Miller, worked as a wrapper at one of Camden’s soap factories. Before long Joe Snyder and Winnie Miller would marry.
As a young man Joe Snyder played sports, and was quite well known as a star shortstop with the semi-pro clubs that were active in Camden during the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. He was on Lou Schaub’s Camden club as early as 1928 and as late as 1933. This team featured several ex-major league players and minor leaguers, and faced many of the nation’s top barnstorming clubs, as well as Negro League teams. The Camden club also played against major league competition at least twice, playing exhibition games against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1932 and 1933. Joe Snyder also played on Camden’s Twelfth Ward Club in 1933, with future Camden High coach Al Bass. He played for the Westfield Athletic Club in 1938, and was still active as a player well into the 1940s. After stepping off the field as an active player, Joe Snyder stayed in the game as an umpire and coach for many years. He coached East Camden boys at Dudley Grange. One of his young players was Bob Bartosz, who lived on the same block. He taught young Bob how to hunt and fish as well.
The 1947 City Directory shows Joe Snyder at 609 North 35th Street. He lived out his days at that address with his wife, “Winnie” Snyder, who became well known in her own right as a golfer. Between 1950 and 1959 the Fire Department replaced its entire fleet of hose wagons. The Fire Department’s vehicle maintenance was done at Camden’s municipal garage under the direction of superintendent Al Healy, Assistant Joe Snyder and Fire Mechanics Earl VanSandt and Ed Campbell would design and manufacture most of these apparatus in-house. Fireman John J. Mogck Jr., who was by the time he joined the Fire Department well trained in the use of welding and cutting, would be detailed to the shop as needed. The Department would acquire commercial truck chassis upon which the hose wagon bodies would be fabricated.
Joe Snyder passed away in January of 1985, survived by his wife, Mary “Winnie” Snyder, nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.
Locals Bow to Warders by 4 to 1 Before 4,000 Fans at King’s Park; Deciding Game to Be Played There
Trenton Times —
Homer by Weygand and Single with Bases Full by Loeble Are Damaging Blows in Upset of Firemen — Trentonians Given Superb Reception
Playing before a crowd estimated at close to 4,000 people at the spacious King’s Park diamond in Camden last night, Standard Fire bowed to the Twelfth Ward Republican Club, of the Camden City Twilight League, by a score of 4 to 1. Followers of the “Warders” jammed every nook and cranny of both seating and standing space available to see the Warders of Trenton’s City League go down to defeat before the Skeeter nine managed by Bill Langdon.
Commissioner Clay Reesman, after whom the Camden Twilight League gets its name, threw out the first ball. Earl Stopfer, Bill Moll and Robert Ashenfelter of the Camden police escorted the vehicle to the scene of action.
Black Yanks Here in Double-Header
Camden Courier-Post —
Camden Club to Entertain Colorful Stars at Fairview Ball Park
Probably the greatest collection of colored talent in the country will perform before local fans tomorrow afternoon at the Fairview Athletic Field when the New York Black Yankees and Lou Schaub’s Camden Club engage in a double-header. The opening game is slated to start promptly at 2 o’clock. This will be the first appearance of the New Yorkers here this season. Schaub had originally scheduled them for the opening game of the season, but rain forced the cancellation of the game.
Due to the fact that the Yankees happened to have an open date for this Sunday, Schaub immediately grabbed the chance of bringing this fast-moving outfit here. The players comprising the New York ensemble are of the best in the country and is the finest collection of stars gathered in one team. They have a pitching staff that ranks with the best, namely, “Reds” Ryan, Phil Rolland, Luther Farrell and Gandy. A number of other outstanding players who will be in the lineup are Yancey, Riggins, Smith, Rector, “Fat” Jenkins and George Scales, who also manages the club.
Schaub announced that the pitching assignments will be turned over to the veteran Johnny “Rube” Chambers and Jack Kimble, Wildwood High athletic director, who has been twirling splendid ball for Camden this season. Tommy Naughton and Joe Hyde will take care of the receiving, with the former probably donning the mask and windpad in the opener. The local infield will be taken care of by Bill O’Donnell on first with Bill “Jigger” Black at second, and Joe Snyder at shortstop, while either Ernie Padgett or Fritz Schadel will hold down third base. In the outfield will be Dick Spalding, George Gilham and Bill Graupner, the latter having recently graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, where he captained the nine.
Camden Sluggers Led by O’Donnell
Camden Courier-Post —
Black Yankees Meet Hard-Hitting Foe Here Sunday; 8 Batting .300 or Over
When the New York Black Yankees tangle with Lou Schaub’s Camden club in a double-header at the Fairview Athletic Field on Sunday, they will meet a team that boasts a hard-hitting attack. Of the 11 regulars on the local roster, only three have failed to enter the select circle in the averages compiled of the games played this season.
Although Bill Graupner, who played first game with Camden last Sunday, following a brilliant season as captain in his last year at the University of Pennsylvania, is leading the pack with a percentage of .750 by virtue of slapping three bingles in four trips to the plate last week, the veteran Bill O’Donnell, stellar first baseman, has piled up the best mark. O’Donnell has toted the wood to the plate on 29 occasions, having played only the last half of the schedule completed thus far, and has nicked opposing pitchers for 13 safeties for an average of .448.
Dick Spalding, former Phillies and Washington Senator outfielder, is second with a mark of .432 as a result of connecting 19 times out of 44 trips to the plate. Joe Snyder, diminutive local star, who holds down the shortstop position, is the only other player who has entered the top flight with an average of .400 by rapping 12 bingles in 30 times up.
Camden to Tackle Westville Tossers
Camden Courier-Post —
Schaubmen on New Winning Streak Hope to Make It Four in Row on Sunday
Lou Schaub’s Camden club will endeavor to make it four in a row when it tackles “Dutch” Diedrich’s Westville club in a double-header on Sunday afternoon at the Fairview Athletic field. The opening game is scheduled to start promptly at 2 p.m. Last week the Schaubmen regained their winning stride after an extended losing streak by turning back the Washington Pilots in both ends of a twin bill.
“Rube” Chambers, who has been pulling games out of the fire for the locals for the past few seasons, will start the opening game, while Jack Kimble, Wildwood High teacher, will toss ’em up in the nightcap. Tommy Naughton and Tom Williams will divide the catching duties for Camden, while the infield will be composed of Zehran, at first; Tom Bragg, at second; Joe Snyder, at short, and Ernie Padgett, at third. The outfield will consist of Dick Spalding, Eddie Ryan and Bill Coleman.
Westville Splits Even with Camden
Camden Courier-Post —
“Villagers” Take Opener 5-4 But Lose Nightcap in Twelfth, 6 to 5
“Dutch” Diedrich’s Westville club gained an even split with Lou Schaub’s Camden Club in a double-header yesterday afternoon at the Fairview Athletic Field. The “Villagers” captured the opening game 5 to 4, but lost the 12-inning nightcap 6 to 5. A flurry of base hits in which they drove Jack Kimble from the mound in the fourth inning, after the latter had sprained his ankle, enabled Westville to score all their five runs to take the opening game. “Rube” Chambers then relieved Kimble and held the “Villagers” at bay during the balance of the game.
Then in the twelfth frame, Joe Snyder was hit by a pitched ball and went to second on Chambers’ sacrifice. Snyder took third on Wheatley’s error of Padgett’s grounder and scored when Jack O’Donnell was safe on a fielder’s choice.
12th Ward Holds Meeting Tonight
Camden Courier-Post —
The 12th Ward Club will hold an important meeting tonight at the home of Robert Loeble, 2707 Westfield Avenue, at 8:30 p.m. The following players are urgently requested to attend: Orv Dannenhower, George Kissinger, Pete Weygand, Elmer Loeble, Bob Loeble, Tom Tracey, El Bearint, Art Watson, Harry Watson, Howard Davidson, Charley Cooper, “Rick” Reeves, Joe De Luca, Joe Snyder, Dick Call, Harold Roth, Bill Cunningham, Bill Brook, Al Bass, Lefty Reynolds and Bill Werking.
Penn. Pirates vs. Westfield A.C.
Camden Courier-Post —
Locals Bow to Warders by 4 to 1 Before 4,000 Fans at King's Park; Deciding Game to Be Played There
Homer by Weygand and Single with Bases Full by Loeble Are Damaging Blows in Upset of Firemen — Trentonians Given Superb Reception
Playing before a crowd estimated at close to 4,000 people at the spacious King's Park diamond in Camden last night, Standard Fire bowed to the Twelfth Ward Republican Club, of the Camden City Twilight League, by a score of 4 to 1. Followers of the "Warders" jammed every nook and cranny of both seating and standing space available to see the Warders of Trenton's City League go down to defeat before the Skeeter nine managed by Bill Langdon.
As Standard won the first game of the series, played here Tuesday night at Trenton, last night's triumph for the undefeated pace-setters in the Reesman loop evened the intercity championship play with one win apiece. Ed Sutton, pilot of the Standard Fire ship, announced shortly after the contest last night that the third and deciding tilt of the series will be played next Monday, August 19, at the same place as last night's affair, King's Park, Camden.
A home run by Pete Weygand, husky Camden right fielder, that sailed over Al Harrison's head in centre field and a single by Third Baseman Loeble with the bases full gave the Skeeters all their runs. Trenton's representatives, however, evened the count when Bennie Wood singled, went to third on the centre fielder's error and scored on one of Gene Beckner's three singles of the day.
Hits were plenty in this contest but scoring was rare. Of the eight innings played and the 18 hits made, on only three occasions were more than one hit made in an inning. Camden's less than ten times at bat did the team hitting contain for any 2 hits and then fail to advance the runner or have him caught on base with two out. The game was just that hard fought.
One of the most elegant receptions accorded the Trenton team on the way down the Firemen's bus was met at the city limits by Commissioner of the Camden police, Earl Stopfer, Bill Moll and Robert Ashenfelter, who escorted the vehicle to the scene of action. After the game the locals were driven free to the "swimming" pool and then were escorted out of town. The Lyric Stopfer, The Lyric Band, of Camden, rendered excellent music throughout.
Commissioner Clay Reesman, after whom the Camden Twilight League gets its name, threw out the first ball; and the commissioner seemed a trifle wild, hitting Umpire Albrech about with all the pellets on the official's high heave.
Jimmy Helmer, whom the Trenton fans were waiting to see because of his reputation for ely-chasing, made a dramatic entrance — almost missed the bus but rode down with a friend. Arriving rather late he just had time to appear in diamond attire in time to face the Camden pitchers working. In fact the umpire had already yelled "Play ball" before James appeared on the field.
No score was made until the fourth inning when Weygand, with two out, hit a terrific drive over Al Harrison's head. The former Pennington Road produce store played the ball and missed, but it traveled so far that there was no chance of stopping the runner.
Just previous to Weygand's clout Jimmy Helmer — "Lightning," as the Camden scribes call him — made one of his sensational catches off the bat of Al Beatrist.
Standard Fire evened the count in the sixth with only to have the Warders forge ahead in their half. With two out, Roy Smith smashed down Dannenhower's grounder after Bearin's bad throw, and Roy hill singled to center and the bases were full. Loeble then came through with a hard though hit single to score all three runners.
Bill Warking, better known as "Working," did well against the Camdenites again and did an excellent job of it in addition to holding the Trenton sluggers to one run he struck out eight men. Hill Working, twirling for Standard Fire, deserves lots of credit for his work. He allowed only one earned run, and it was not his fault that his comrades did not give him some adequate lead to work on.
From a Trenton standpoint Gene Beckner was the individual star of the game, getting three singles. Weygand's two lusty hits and a home run, however, had a much more telling effect.
Standard Fire (box score):
Haines, lf 4 0 1 b r h o a; Harrison, cf 4 0 1 2; Reeves, 2b 4 0 0 2 3; Burkhart, 3b 3 0 0 0 2; Bearint, lb 4 0 0 8 0; Renno 2 0 0 1 0
Twelfth Ward (box score):
Snyder 2 0 0 0 1; Wearshing [listed]; Loeble [listed]; Danenhower [listed]
[Summary note: G. Snyder, 2; Wearshing, Home run; Loeble, S.] — Umpire: Wilcott, Louise Irvine
609 North 35th Street — 2008
609 North 35th Street, Camden, NJ — 2008. Photo by Bob Bartosz.
Obituary — Mary “Winnie” Snyder
Camden Courier-Post —
SNYDER — Mary “WINNIE” on November 23, 2000. Age 89. Formerly of Camden, NJ. Beloved wife of the late Joseph. Survived by niece Carolyn Griffin of Delran and several other nieces and nephews. Mrs. Snyder was an avid golfer & a former member of Merchantville Country Club. Relatives and friends of the family are kindly invited to attend her Memorial Service Monday at 11 a.m. at the FUNERAL HOME OF INGLESBY AND SONS, 2426 Cove Road, Pennsauken.