Isaac Baer: Early Jewish Pioneer of St. Louis, Missouri

Isaac Baer

Values Codes I – E – L

 

Isaac Baer was born in 1818, in Alsace-Lorraine.

In 1844, at the age of 24, Isaac Baer joined the French army.

In 1848, Isaac Baer came to America by way of New Orleans, settling in St. Louis, Missouri.

 

St. Louis

Baer was naturalized as an American citizen in 1856.

He opened a clothing store at 1914 South Broadway.

He continued in this business until his retirement in 1880.

Vintage clothes hanger

Civic

In 1861, Isaac Baer joined the Home Guard and served at Camp Jackson during the Civil War.

 

Community

Isaac Baer was active in Temple B’nai El.

 

Fraternal

Baer was a member of the Missouri Lodge of B’nai B’rith.

 

Family

Isaac Baer married Julie (1826-1877) .

They had four sons: Bernhard, Charles, Henry and Joseph.

 

Isaac Baer died in 1915.

He is buried in New Mount Sinai Cemetery & Mausoleum.

Julie Baer died in 1877.

 

Sources

  • Walter Ehrlich, Zion in the Valley: The Jewish Community of St. Louis, Volume 1 (Columbia, Mo: University of Missouri Press, 1997).
  • Ellen Jane FreundSchwartz, Freund Family Chronicles (St. Louis, MO: 1992).

Samantha Silver is curator of this Isaac Baer exhibit.