Camden Streets - Segal Street

Streets
of
Camden, NJ

Segal Street

SEGAL STREET was named after Philadelphia businessman Adolph W. Segal, who was president of the nearby American Wax Bag and Manufacturing Company, located in the 1880s and 1890s at the corner of 2nd and Erie Streets in North Camden. Born in Austria around 1860, he came to America and found work as a soap boiler. Adolph Segal patented a process for the manufacture ox wax paper bags, upon which the fortunes of his company were based. He later sold his patent and went into real estate and promotions.

Adolph Segal had already erected several factories in North Camden when he announced in 1895 that he would erect a $3,000,000 sugar refinery on the Delaware at the foot of Cooper River, which in those days was called Cooper's Creek. He became heavily involved in real estate, and at one time owned the entire town of South Altoona PA, selling it in 1906, after being implicated in the wrecking of the Real Estate Trust Bank in Philadelphia. Adolph Segal was also involved with the Pennsylvania Sugar Refining Company. When the "sugar trust" attempted to take his business, the Department of Justice stepped in, and indictments were handed down for violations of the Sherman Anti-Trust act. Although in this case a victim, Adolph Segal would lose his sugar refinery to the trust, and spend much time in court over the next few years. After 1910 he later moved to New York City where he owned and operated the Hotel Majestic. He declared bankruptcy in March of 1914, and during a that year he collapsed, and was declared insane in September. In August of 1925 the one time millionaire, now 65 years old, was arrested on a bad-check charge during a visit to Philadelphia.

Contrary to rumor SEGAL STREET was not named after a former Camden County Sheriff, Martin Segal.

On February 22, 1928 a large fire on Erie Street menaced the Segal Street homes. Firefighters were hampered by a wooden fence that had been place across Segal Street by the John R. Evans Company when they had built their leather works prior to World War I. At that time they had bought the last five homes on either side of Segal Street, razed them, and fenced off their property.

In August of 1933 former Camden boxer James "Jimmy" Rogers was arrested for running a speakeasy at 1000 Segal Street. Two other men well known to police were also arrested when the place was raided.

Segal Street remained pretty much intact into the early 1970s. Despite the fire that destroyed the John R. Evans Company facility at least six homes were occupied as late as 1980. Sadly, no physical trace of Segal street survived into the next century.

Do you have a Segal Street memory or picture. Let me know by e-mail so it can be included here.

Phil Cohen

Looking North on Segal Street - Summer of 1971
Floyd Miller Jr., Vennie Miller, Bobby Reed, & Frank Houser Jr.
John R. Evans factory at rear

Photo Courtesy of Floyd L. Miller Jr.

SEGAL STREET
	1000 Segal Street 1914 John Winstanley & Family Thomas Winstanley 1947 Frank Bosko & Sons produce 1947 Bert's Variety Store 1947 Stanley A. Gasior
	1001 Segal Street
	1002 Segal Street 1947 Stanley E. Janowski
	1003 Segal Street 1947 Ernest P. Managnaro
	1004 Segal Street 1928 Frank Bosko 1947 Clarence Swain
	1005 Segal Street 1947 Frank Lukaszeski 1969 M.M. Keel
	1006 Segal Street 1947 Jon H. Horner 1947 Harold A. Davis 1969 S. Walsch
	1007 Segal Street 1947 Mrs. Marie Vogel 1969 M. Priestley
	1008 Segal Street 1947 Byrd J. Anderson
	1009 Segal Street 1947 Joseph P. Ryan
	1010 Segal Street 1947 Clinton R. Horner
	1011 Segal Street 1947-1980 William B. Deputy
	1012 Segal Street 1947 John Davidson
	1013 Segal Street 1947 Leo F. Carr 1969 G.F. Ellis
	1014 Segal Street 1947 Mrs. Mary A. Kelly
	1015 Segal Street 1947 Mrs. Sophia A. Walsch 1980 Alex Wisniewski
	1016 Segal Street 1947 Danville Martinelli
	1017 Segal Street 1947 Henry T. Benson 1969-1980 Mrs. Esther Marzilli
	1018 Segal Street 1947 Charles F. Mills
	1019 Segal Street 1947 Louis I. Kellum 1980 G.C. Kellum
	1020 Segal Street 1947 Raymond R. DeVone
	1021 Segal Street 1947 John Williams 1980 G. Williams
	1022 Segal Street 1947 Mrs. Anna J. Titternmary
	1023 Segal Street 1947 Asa Redrow
	1024 Segal Street 1912 James Pollar Camden Post-Telegram October 14, 1912
	1024 Segal Street 1947 Harry L. Schmidt 1969 Harold F. Roberts Sr.
	1025 Segal Street 1947 Glen L. Braswell
	1026 Segal Street 1947 Harry W. Fredericks
	1027 Segal Street 1947 Frederick G. Rowland 1980 G. Kellum
	1028 Segal Street 1947 Harvey R. Latham
	1029 Segal Street 1947 Graham C.H. Worrall
	1030 Segal Street 1947 Simeon F. Ollis
	1031 Segal Street 1947 no return
	1032 Segal Street 1924 Mrs. Dolly Marks & Family Austin E. Marks Walter Marks Lester Marks 1947 Not Listed
	1033 Segal Street 1947 Mrs. MArgaret Duncan
	1034 Segal Street 1947 Not Listed
	1035 Segal Street 1947 Harry Rowland
	1036 Segal Street 1947 Mrs. Katherine Gottwald
	1037 Segal Street 1947 Mrs. Marie Hannold
	1038 Segal Street 1947 George W. Camp
	1039 Segal Street 1947 George N. Camp
	1040 Segal Street 1947 Not Listed
	1041 Segal Street 1947 Edgar W. Chapman
	1042 Segal Street 1947 Austin W. Dickinson
	1043 Segal Street 1947 Mrs. Mae A. Hall
	1044 Segal Street 1947 Mrs. Margaret A. Gaul 1969 Alex Wisniewski
	1045 Segal Street 1947 Arthur Williams
	1046 Segal Street 1947 Not Listed
	1047 Segal Street 1947 BenjaminWadraff

Segal Street Remembered by Floyd L. Miller Jr.

People I remember who lived on Segal Street when that picture was taken- some I only remember their first name. I lived on the northeast corner at 1000 Segal. Steve Cox lived next door, 1002 Segal- his brother Ronny Cox lived at 1008, and his father and mother lived on the northwest corner with his sister, Chicky Cox. I can't remember his parents names. Their brother Joe lived with Ron.

There was also a man we called John the Junker. He lived at 1006, and he had a giant buggy with wheels like a stagecoach. That thing was humongous, and shaped like a wheelbarrow. He would push that thing all over Camden everyday looking for junk. Other people were an elderly lady named Mrs. Welch, and a man named Lou Kellem, who worked as a security guard at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, and his daughter Nancy.

Then their was another Mr. and Mrs. Miller, my good friend John Wunch, Donald Johnson and family, a man we called Whispering Willy, and Patricia Monroe her husband Biggy. I'm not sure if they were really married, I don't think so. Everybody knew Biggy, he was pretty cool though he always had a bottle of Tiger Rose- he died of cirrhosis of the liver. Also Bill and Linda Merrell, and Lois and Al Wisniewski. Down on the corner of 2nd and Erie were two stores, one on the northeast corner named Dave's Market, the other on the southwest corner named Joe's (O'Donald) Market.

Floyd Miller Jr.
June 2004

Camden Courier-Post - February 22, 1928
$225,000 FIRE RUINS 5 UPTOWN PLANTS HOW FLAMES GUTTED BIG INDUSTRIAL BUILDING
RESIDENTS FLEE AS FLAMES RAGE IN BIG BUILDING Factory of Evans Leather Co. Saved by Valiant Work of Firemen APPARATUS IS DISABLED; DEBRIS BURIED FIRE PLUG Metal Stamping Firm, Textile Concern Heavy Losers; Pattern Shop Saved

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	Thomas Nicholas - James Tatem Manuel Kane Harry M. Leigh - David Ellis Engine Company 2 Engine Company 4 Engine Company 5 Engine Company 6 Segal Street
Click in Images to Enlarge

Camden Courier-Post - February 22, 1928
FENCE THAT HAMPERED FIREMEN The upper view shows the fence at the end of Segal Street, above Erie Street, which firemen say hampered the during yesterday's big fire which caused $225,000 damage. The insert shows how a fireplug was blocked. The lower sketch is a bird's eye view of where the fences are located in relation to the big blaze. Officials of several plants destroyed by fire say they will demand from city officials an explanation as to why the fence was built.

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Letter to the Editor - February 22, 1928

Click in Images to Enlarge

Letter to the Editor - February 29, 1928

Allied Metal Stamping Company - John R. Evans Company Bernard Gallagher - George W. Johnson North 2nd Street - Erie Street - Front Street - Segal Street

Camden
Courier-Post

October 16, 1931

Charles Priestly
Elizabeth Priestly

Letter to the Editor - August 16, 1933

JIMMY RODGERS IS GIVEN 180 DAYS
Former Boxer Jailed on Speakeasy Charge, Held on Stolen Goods Count

James "Jimmy" Rodgers, 28-year-old former boxer who on numerous occasions has run afoul of the law, was sentenced yesterday to serve 180 days in the county jail for operating a speakeasy at 1000 Segal Street.

In addition, he was held without bail by Police Judge Pancoast on a charge of possession of stolen goods. The goods were identified by their owner, James Greer, 35, of 332 North Second Street, who was in the speakeasy when police raided it Monday night.

Greer turned state's evidence against Rodgers in police court yesterday, and for a reward, received a suspended sentence.

District Detective Harry Kyler, Marshall Thompson and Walter Smith raided the speakeasy and confiscated 65 pints of whisky in bottles and a gallon of whisky in a jug. Kyler testified Rodgers was not there when the raiders entered the place but appeared later and was arrested.

3 Others Nabbed

Three others were arrested in the place. These were Greer, Thomas Spencer, 33, who gave the speakeasy as his home address, and John D. Wood, 35, of 928 Kimber street. Spencer has been arrested approximately 75 times, the police said.

The detectives, when searching the premises, found a suitcase filled with shoestrings, collar buttons and other merchandise. Greer identified the case and its contents as having been stolen from his car when it was parked on Segal Street near Front some time ago. He lodged the complaint of possession of stolen goods against Rodgers.

Rodgers was arraigned on three charges, including the stolen goods count. The other complaints were that he sold beer without a license and violated Section 422 of the city ordinances which prohibits disorderly persons to congregate on the premises.

Rodgers pleaded not guilty on all three charges, and told the court he had "nothing to say." He was fined $200 on each of the charges of violating Section 422, and selling without a license, and when he did not pay, he was sentenced to 90 days on each of the two counts. He was committed to the county jail without bail on Greer's complaint of possession of stolen goods.

Greer testified that he had purchased liquor in Rodgers' place several times, as late as last night. Greer's sentence was suspended.

Spencer Refuses to Talk

Spencer refused to testify against Rodgers. He said he did not know l "what was going on there" and that he was there painting.

"You won't be painting there for 90 days," retorted the court in pronouncing sentence.

Wood, the other man arrested in the place, did not appear in court and forfeited $10 security he had posted after the raid.

Rodgers has been arrested several times for operating speakeasies. He was also arrested as a material witness two years ago in the murder of William "Shooey" Bonner."

Spencer was arrested so often when he resided in Gloucester that he became known as "Gloucester's Peck's Bad Boy," the police said. Since moving to Camden he has been arrested arrested nearly 50 times, police stated.

The majority of his arrests have been on charges of drunkenness and disorderly conduct, but in 1925 and in 1926, he was arrested on a charge of larceny of automobile. Again in 1929 he was charged with non support, when he was ordered to pay his wife $10 weekly. Back In 1916 he was arrested on a charge of stealing a gold watch.

Summer on Segal Street Camden Courier-Post - August 8, 1935

Click in Images to Enlarge

Camden Courier-Post - August 19, 1935

Camden
Courier-Post

August 8, 1936

Camden Courier-Post - February 20, 1936

SWUNG AT SGT. SMITH, SENTENCE SUSPENDED

A man who allegedly aimed a blow at Sgt. Ray Smith, ex-heavyweight champion of the A.E.F. Tuesday night received a 30-day suspended sentence in police court yesterday.

Police Judge Lewis Liberman said he suspended sentence on George Gordon, 40, of 1018 Segal Street, because the blow he aimed at Smith never landed.

Gordon after starting an argument with the doorman at a theatre at Broadway and Market street, tried to punch Smith when he remonstrated with him. Smith, a special officer, arrested Gordon on a disorderly conduct charge..

Camden Courier-Post - February 7, 1938

MRS. AGNES ROSS

Funeral services for Mrs. Agnes Ross, 36, wife of Howard Ross, of 1014 Segal Street, Camden, will be held tomorrow, 2 p. m., at 414 South Fifth Street, Camden. Mrs. Ross died Friday in West Jersey Hospital from pneumonia. Four children survive. Burial will be private in New Camden Cemetery.

Segal Street Kids, 1942
Tom Stone, center with dark shirt and cap
Photos courtesy of Warren Fairess, from the collection of his mother, Marie Fisbeck Fairess

1019 Segal Street
Technical Sergeant
Francis J. Knox

I remember during the riots- I was a kid then but on Segal Street we had to stand at the end of Segal Street with shotguns to keep our houses from getting burnt down .

Floyd Miller Jr.
June 2004

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