WILLIAM E. "BILLY" MORGENWECK was born September 9, 1869 in New York State. He was, with a relation, Frank "Pop" Morgenweck, one of the organizers of the first basketball league in the United States in the 1890s, the National Basketball League. Billy Morgenweck took to the then-new game as well, as an owner and player-coach of the Camden Electrics. The Electrics, paced by star guard Charles Bossert, were one of the top teams of the early 1900s, playing at the old Sixth Regiment Armory at West and Mickle Streets. The 1902-03 Electrics won 36 times against only 9 defeats. As Camden won both halves of the season they were awarded the NBL pennant and cup without the necessity of any playoff games. He also coached Charlie Newcomb, who went on to fame as a trap shooter. The league folded during the 1903-04 season. Billy Morgenweck was subsequently sued by investors in the team, including local businessman Sig Schoenagle. After the breakup of the NBL, Billy Morgenweck left the sport, but returned as coach of the Camden Alphas in the Eastern Basketball League in the 1910s, tying for first in the league in 1913-14 and 1914-15. By 1920 he owned a property at 17 Broadway, near Federal Street, in Camden, where he lived and operated a dry cleaning and tailor's shop, with wife Margaret and son William P. Morgenweck. He also served on the board of directors of the American National Bank of Camden, which was located at Broadway and Liberty Street, in 1927 and 1928. Other directors then were Joseph B. Stern and D.L. Pinson.. Billy Morgenweck passed away on March 5, 1930 while fishing in Florida. Survived by his wife Margaret and son William P. Morgenweck, who owned a dyeing factory. Billy Morgenweck was buried at Harleigh Cemetery in Camden NJ. |
NBL
HISTORY 1902-1903 Standings
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Trenton Times - June 10, 1905 | ||
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Philadelphia Inquirer - March 19, 1906 |
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George
Shields - William
Hillman "Joseph Gail" was Joseph T. Daley |
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6th Regiment, New Jersey National
Guard -
Farmers & Merchants Market Gardner Corson was appointed to the Fire Department in November of 1907. |
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Camden Courier-Post * April 8, 1942 |
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1898-1899 Camden Electrics Front: B. Bates, Jim the Mascot, H. Reiners Middle: H. Gifford, Ray Wynn, Albert Austermuhl, H. Blankorn, Charlie Newcomb, Leon Goff, George Tyler Rear: C.F. Ware, H. D'Emo, L. Oliphant, H. Nixon, E. Garrigues, Randolph Cramer, William Morgenweck Click on Image to Enlarge |
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1898-1899 Camden Electrics Front: C. Weaver, Click on Image to Enlarge
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1901-02 Camden Electrics Front:
Eddie Ferat Click on Image to Enlarge |
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Camden Courier-Post * February 9, 1928 |
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'AL'
GEDDES INJURED, TROLLEY HITS AUTO |
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Camden Courier-Post * June 11, 1932 | |
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Lewis
Liberman - Edward
Borden - Ralph
W.E. Donges - Lewis Starr
-Harry M. Schierer Patrick H. Harding - Robert J. Kearns - William Morgenweck - Isaac Van Sciver H. Schoemer - Julius Burman - Solis D. Cohen - William T. Boyle - Francis D. Weaver Walter R. Carroll - Joseph H. Carr - E.E. Read Jr. - Camden Lodge of Elks Broadway Merchants Trust Company - Church of the Immaculate Conception |