Edgar Henry Bachrach

Decatur Daily review 10/30/1951

Edgar H. Bachrach, 64, owner of Bachrachs clothing store died at 8:30 pm yesterday in St.Marys hospital from cancer following an illness of four months. Recently he had moved to a new home at 1680 W.Wood street.

Mr. Bachrach had been in the clothing store most of his life either as employ or owner. The store was founded in 1877 by Mr. Bachrachs father, Henry. The stores founder was on his way from Paris, Ill, to Davenport, Iowas to look over the location for a new store. He had to change trains in Decatur and while waiting decided to locate a store here. He first was in business on the corner now occupied by the Millikin National bank and was a close friend of James Millikin. The store has been in its present location at 100 N. Merchant street since 1885 and is one of the oldest store in Decatur. The stores founder was one of the businessmen on Lincoln Square who led the movement for the construction of the present Transfer House to replace an old wooden structure. The store originally was know as "Cheap Charleys" but about 1909 after a fire which destroyed the building and about the time Edgar Bachrach entered the business with his father the name was changed. It has operated under the name of Bachrachs since that time.
Henry Bachrach died in 1917 while on vacation in Michigan. In 1918 Edgar Bachrach became secretary and manager of the firm and in 1928 he bought out the interests of his brothers,Sidney and Albert in the company. There have been several remodeling and enlarging projects at the store over the years. The greatest of these was just two years ago when the floor space was doubled and the building entirely remodeled and new departments added.

In 1938 Edgars son Henry joined his father in the business soon after his graduation from the University of Michigan.
He was one of the first students to register at Millikin university. Mr. Bachrach was a member of Temple B'nai Abraham, the Stephen Decatur Masonic lodge, the Springfield Consistory and the Ansar shrine. He also was a member of the Elks lodge and the Decatur Demons club.

Edgar Bachrach was born Oct. 3, 1887 in Decatur the son of Henry and Matilda Bachrach and was married to Gertrude Millhauser, March 10, 1915 in Baltimore,Md. He leaves his wife, the son Henry, Decatur, a daughter, Mrs.Robert Goldman,Springfield, three brothers, Sidney, Decatur,Albert of Chicago and Dr. Ben Bachrach, San Bernadine,Calif, three sisters,Martha Bachrach,Los Angeles,Calif,Mrs. Samuel L. Smith,New York City and Mrs. Helen Grier,Atlantic City, N. J and four grandchildren.

The body is at the Dawson & Wikoff funeral home where friends may call. Funeral services will be at 3 pm Wednesday in the funeral home chapel with burial in Fairlawn cemetery.