[1] He was born on a farm near Pittstown, New Jersey, on May 1, 1892, to Emanuel S. Wene and Mary J. Kiley.

Wene graduated from New Jersey State Agricultural College with a degree in Poultry husbandry on March 4, 1914.

After leaving Congress, he was a member of the Board of Chosen Freeholders of Cumberland County, New Jersey 1939-1941.

Wene was an unsuccessful candidate for election to the United States Senate the same year.

On June 26, 1948, he was given a recess appointment by President Harry S. Truman as Undersecretary of Agriculture.