Martin “Marty” Segal
Martin “Marty” Segal
MARTIN “MARTY” SEGAL was a major part of Camden’s public life for almost forty years, first as a tavern owner, and in politics and government for thirty years, the last fifteen as the Sheriff of Camden County.
Martin Segal and his brother Joseph Siegle got into the bar business in the 1920s. Joseph Seigle’s granddaughter, Karen Bender, wrote in 2018: “Joseph Seigle was my grandfather… Since my great grandparents could not spell in English, each was given a different spelling at some point.” The brothers’ first ventures proved difficult. In April of 1925 Martin Segal operated a bar at 1504–1506 Federal Street, which was raided twice by Camden police looking for alcohol, which was found. He was raided at that location at least two more times in 1925, but no liquor was found. He was denied a license in 1927. In 1928 he applied for and received a license to operate at 2046 Federal Street. Martin and Joseph operated at that address into 1931. That year they opened up for business at 1990 Federal Street, a property that had been remodeled and turned into a bar by Owen Kernan in 1930. The bar was known as Marty’s Tappe House and as The Olde Tappe House.
Martin Segal took an interest in politics that culminated with his election to the office of Sheriff of Camden County in 1956, a post he was re-elected to four times by overwhelming majorities and from which he retired in February of 1972. After his election as Sheriff, Martin Segal sold his interest in the bar to his brother Joseph Siegle, with the license application for liquor license transfer being submitted at the end of 1956.
Martin Segal was an effective and popular public servant, and was re-elected to the post of Sheriff four times. He retired in 1972 after serving fifteen continuous years as Sheriff. Besides politics and government, Martin Segal was involved in many civic and charitable organizations as well.
Martin Segal passed away on June 10, 1973, survived by his wife, daughter, two grandchildren, and a brother, Matthew Segal.
Two Brothers in Raided Cafe, Each Insists He is the Owner
Camden Courier-Post —
Camden’s own Damon and Pythias, owners of a soft drink parlor in which federal agents claim they found high-power beer on sale, reached a dramatic compromise today.
Martin and Joseph Seigle are held in $500 bail each as proprietors of the “parlor” at 2046 Federal street, charged with sale and possession of drinks not soft enough to meet approval of federal authorities. Both live at 7 South Thirty-fourth street.
Prohibition agents Saturday raided their place, the Marlton cafe, on a search warrant obtained after an alleged “buy.”
Theodore A. Harris, enforcement chief, claims he found 7 half-barrels of high-power beer and a small quantity of liquor.
“Who’s the owner of this place?” he asked Joseph Seigle.
“I am,” said Joseph.
In walked Martin.
“I’m the owner, lock me up,” said Brother Martin.
“He is not. I’m the owner. Lock me up,” pleaded Brother Joseph.
“Boys, boys, please,” remonstrated Harris, “you’re both under arrest.”
Today they faced U. S. Commissioner Wynn Armstrong each still insistent on saving the other but unable to reach a decision.
So they compromised.
“We’re both proprietors,” they told the commissioner.
Which is why both Martin and Joseph Seigle were held for court, instead of only one of them.
Merry Christmas Greetings
Camden Courier-Post —
Martin Segal, 1990 Federal Street
Freed in One Robbery, Arrested for Another
Camden Courier-Post —
A suspect, released a week ago in connection with the $11,000 Camden Radio Condenser Company holdup, was rearrested Saturday and held in $3000 bail on a charge of robbing an East Camden bar.
The accused is Stanley Powell, 26, of 1256 Whitman Avenue, alleged to have stolen, with the help of two other men of unknown identity, a marble machine and 100 cigars from Marty’s Olde Tappe Room, operated at 1990 Federal Street by Marty Segal.
Powell pleaded not guilty.
City Detective George Zeitz testified that he learned that Powell’s new expensive car had been seen near the taproom early on Thursday, when the robbery occurred. Zeitz said he obtained this information after Powell had been quizzed and released in the radio firm holdup.
Upon further investigation, Zeitz asserted, he found a witness, Daniel Danter, 1985 Carman Street, who allegedly saw Powell and two other men carrying “something” from the store and loading it in the car. Zeitz identified Powell. Elwood Cox, of 1981 Carman Street, is alleged by Zeitz to have seen Powell’s car in that neighborhood on the morning of the robbery, but didn’t know any of the men in it.
Acting Police Judge James Smith fixed the amount of bail.
Photos
Martin Segal & Joseph Siegle
Notice of Application
Camden Courier-Post —
Take notice that application has been made to the Municipal Board of Alcoholic Beverage Control of the City of Camden to transfer to Joseph E. Seigle, trading as Marty’s Olde Tappe House, for premises situated at 1990 Federal Street, Camden, New Jersey, the plenary retail consumption license #C-83, heretofore issued to Martin Segal, trading as Marty’s Olde Tappe House, for premises situated at 1990 Federal Street, Camden, New Jersey.
Objections, if any, should be made immediately in writing to John T. Odorisio, City Clerk of the City of Camden, New Jersey.
MARTIN SEGAL,
2252 Baird Boulevard,
Camden, N. J.
Martin Segal Dies; 15 Years a Sheriff
Camden Courier-Post —
Former Camden County Sheriff Martin Segal, 72, one of the most popular public figures in the county’s history, died yesterday.
Services will be Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the David B. Berschler Funeral Chapel, 5341 Route 38, Pennsauken. Burial will be in Crescent Memorial Park.
The popular former sheriff, who retired Feb. 14, 1972 after 15 years on that office, was the first sheriff in the county’s history to be elected to five consecutive three-year terms.
He was co-chairman of the Camden County Heart Association’s 1973 Heart Sunday and was vice president of Bridgeview Savings and Loan and special representative for Peoples National bank in Haddon Township.
Popular Official
Mr. Segal’s introduction to public office in the county came in 1941 when he served on the board of elections. He was responsible for instituting permanent voting registration in the county.
In 1947 he was appointed undersheriff for a two-year term. Three years later he was named a state motor vehicle agent for the county.
His 15-year term as county sheriff began with his election to the office in 1956. Overwhelming pluralities returned Mr. Segal to the county sheriff’s post in 1959, 1962, 1965, and 1968.
As sheriff, he repeatedly campaigned for a new county jail to replace the existing sixth floor City Hall courthouse jail. When he retired, Mr. Segal said the major disappointment was the fact that the new jail could not have been built sooner. The county is expected to break ground at Lakeland, Gloucester Township, this summer for a new jail.
Aside from his political career, Mr. Segal was on the board of directors of Temple Emanuel in Cherry Hill.
His other memberships included the State Sheriffs Association, National Sheriffs Association, East Camden Lions Club, where he was past president, United Republican Club of Pennsauken, and Veteran Boxers Association Ring No. 6 in which he was honorary life member.
Surviving are his wife, Helen, Cooper River Apartments, Pennsauken; a daughter, Mrs. Martin Glassman, Willingboro; a brother; and two grandchildren.
Contributions can be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Segal
Camden Courier-Post —
On June 10, 1973, Martin, beloved husband of Helen (nee Kimelman) of the Cooper River Plaza, Apts. No. 505-S, Pennsauken, N.J. Father of Mrs. Martin (Joyce) Glassman, brother of Matt Segal, also survived by 2 grandchildren Barry and Penny Glassman. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to funeral service Wednesday 10 a.m. at the David B. Berschler Funeral Chapels, 5341 St. Highway No. 38, Pennsauken, N.J. Interment Crescent Burial Park. Family will return to 8 Turner Lane, Willingboro. Contributions in his memory may be made to the charity of the donors choice.