Camden People - Harry Benzuk

HARRY BENZUK was born in Kobryn, Poland on April 21, 1896. He married Mary Kaminska in Camden, New Jersey on August 24, 1919. By 1927 the marriage had produced four children, sadly three of them had died by the end of 1927, leaving only a son, Alexander, to grow to majority. A daughter, Vera, was born in the 1930s

Harry Benzuk was in and out of the newspapers and in and out of involvement with the criminal justice system during the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. In 1920 he tipped off police to a bootlegging operation on Ferry Avenue. The Benzuks were living at 699 Van Hook street in October of 1933 when Harry Benzuk got into a fight with Michael Mellniak, who was boarding with the family. Mellniak died of injuries sustained during the fight. Charged with murder, in January of 1934 Harry Benzuk was sentenced to fifteen months in prison for manslaughter. He was released in November, 1934. In 1936 he testified rather than face prosecution in a bootlegging case. In 1942 he was sentenced to one to three years in state prison for larceny and receiving stolen goods. There also were a number of other incidents which did not result in his imprisonment.

Harry Benzuk avoided further trouble after his last term in prison. He moved to the Bordentown, New Jersey area and engaged in farming for much of the rest of his life. He passed away on April 20, 1971, survived by his son and daughter.

Harry & Mary Benzuk
August 24, 1919

Click on Image to Enlarge

*Camden Daily Courier November 4, 1927**


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Steve Andruk - Harry Benzuk - Charles V.D. Joline - Ferry Avenue - Emerald Street Harry Mines - Maurice DiNicuolo - Charles T. Humes - Robert J. Rose - Charles Moore Central Avenue - South 6th Street - South 7th Street - Anthony Sadowski

Camden Courier-Post - November 4, 1927

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Camden Courier-Post - November 5, 1927


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Jackson Street

Camden Courier-Post
August 11, 1928

James Draper - Ferry Avenue
Harry Benzuk - Jackson Street

Camden Courier-Post
September 17, 1928

Harry Benzuk - Jackson Street

Camden Courier-Post
December 12, 1931

Harry Benzuk - Alabama Road
John Bubien - Liberty Cafe
Mt. Ephraim Avenue
Alex Slusaruk

Camden Courier-Post
December 31, 1931

Camden Courier-Post * June 26, 1933

CAFÉ MAN & BOTTLER GO ON TRIAL FOR POSSESSION
WITNESS DECLARES , DEFENDANTS PAID HIM TO MAKE RUM
Bubien Denies Charges and Declares Accuser Tried to Slug Him
TRIAL RESUMES TODAY

Charged with possession of liquor and operating a still, a Camden saloonkeeper and a bottler went on trial yesterday in United States District Court before Judge John Boyd Avis and a jury.

They are John Bubien, 38, of Liberty street and Mt. Ephraim Avenue, proprietor of a saloon at 1219 Mt. Ephraim Avenue, and Anthony Dolinski, of 1166 Mechanic Street, head of the Liberty Bottling Company [error- Dolinski owned Keystone Bottling Company -PMC].

The government's principal witness is Harry Benzuk who was arrested last September [error- Actual date November 1931 -PMC] during a federal raid with Alek Slusaruk at 3215 Alabama Road. Benzuk has been in jail in default of bail since the raid on a charge of transportation of liquor.

Bubien on the stand denied he had anything to do with a still in the Fairview house. He testified he bought liquor from Benzuk and sold it in his saloon. He accused Benzuk of threatening to "get him" when he refused to buy any more liquor from him. He declared Benzuk accused him of luring federal agents to the Alabama road house.

When Bubien accused Benzuk of threatening him the latter arose in the court room and asked Judge Avis permission to deny the charge. The judge frowned at him.

Bubien was undergoing a vigorous cross-examination from Assistant United States District Attorney Isidore S. Worth when court was adjourned until 10 a. m., today. He admitted he beat Benzuk over the head with a rubber hose.

Benzuk testified that Bubien and Dolinski paid him $50 weekly to operate the still. He declared Bubien bought the still in Philadelphia and erected it. He said Bubien still has two copper kettles from the plant in his cellar.

Albert W. Ross, 1425 Mt. Ephraim Avenue, baker supplies salesman, testified he sold large quantities of yeast, cans and rye to Benzuk and glasses only to Bubien.

Camden Courier-Post * June 28, 1933

STILL ATTENDANT CONVICTS 2 OWNERS
Saloonkeeper and Bottler, Found Guilty of Making Liquor

A Camden saloonkeeper and a bottler were convicted yesterday in Federal Court here, of violating the prohibition laws. They were charged with manufacturing liquor.

They are John Bubien, 38, of Liberty street and Mt. Ephraim Avenue, proprietor of a saloon at 1219 Mt. Ephraim Avenue, and Anthony Dolinski, bottler, of 1166 Mechanic Street.

Reports that Dolinski is head of the Liberty Bottling Company were denied yesterday by Teofil Knast, president of that company. Dolinski, is not affiliated with the Liberty company in any way, Knast said.

The government's principal witness was Harry Benzuk, who was arrested last September [error- Actual date November 1931 -PMC] during a federal raid with Alek Slusaruk at 3215 Alabama Road. Benzuk has been in jail in default of bail since the raid on a charge of transportation of liquor.

When Bubien accused Benzuk of threatening him the latter, arose in the courtroom and asked Judge John Boyd Avis, permission be deny the charge. The judge frowned at him.

The jury deliberated three hours.

They will be sentenced Friday.

Camden Courier-Post
July 19, 1933

*Camden Courier-Post October 11, 1933**

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Clifford De Rossi - Benjamin Simon - Lawrence T. Doran - John W. Golden Harry Benzuk - Michael Mellniak - Van Hook Street - Fillmore Street