Isaac Bacharach
Isaac Bacharach was an American financier, real estate broker, and Republican Party politician from Atlantic City, New Jersey who represented New Jersey's 2nd congressional district from 1915 to 1937. He also served two terms on the Atlantic City Council and one term in the New Jersey General Assembly.
Early life and education
Isaac Bacharach was born on January 5, 1870 in Philadelphia to Jacob and Betty Bacharach. In 1881, the family moved to New Jersey and settled in Atlantic City, where he attended the public schools and graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1885. His family became influential in the city and region, and he became an Atlantic City merchant after leaving school before entering the real estate business. He also became interested in the lumber business and in banking. He was president of the Atlantic City Lumber Company, first vice president of the Second National Bank of Atlantic City, and a director of the Atlantic Safe Deposit and Trust Company and the Absecon National Bank.His real estate firm, founded in 1895, was one of the first developers in the city of Brigantine and was responsible for building the Brigantine Hotel. He remained active in its management until his death.
His brother, Harry Bacharach, was also involved in Atlantic City politics and served several terms as mayor. He was arrested for electoral fraud in connection with his 1910 campaign.
Political career
Bacharach was elected to two terms on the Atlantic City council and served from 1906 to 1911. During his term on the council, he chaired a number of important committees, including the Committee on Finance, and acted as floor leader for the Republican Party.In 1910, he was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly. He served one term in 1911 and declined a nomination for a second term.
Bacharach returned to politics in 1913 when he was recruited to run for the United States [House of Representatives] in New Jersey's 2nd congressional district, representing Atlantic, Burlington, Cape May, and Cumberland counties. Bacharach was elected in 1914 and re-elected to ten consecutive terms until 1936, when he was defeated by Elmer H. Wene.
He was also a delegate to the 1920 Republican National Convention in Chicago.
After leaving Congress, he engaged in the real-estate and insurance business in Atlantic City.
Personal life and death
Bacharach married Florence Scull. She died in 1904; they had no children.In 1924, Isaac Bacharach and his brother Harry founded the Betty Bacharach Home for Afflicted Children in Longport. The home cared for children afflicted with infantile paralysis. The building was turned over to the Atlantic City Lodge of the Elks before becoming the Longport borough hall in 1990.
Bacharach died at Atlantic City Hospital on September 5, 1956, after suffering a stroke at his home in Brigantine. He was interred in Mount Sinai Cemetery in Philadelphia.