Isadore (Ike) Bayles: Jewish Pioneer Clothing Merchant and a Founding Father of Anchorage, Alaska

Isadore (Ike) Bayles

Values Codes I – E – L – P

 

There was no one more committed to the welfare of his community than Ike Bayles and the community benefitted from his talents. 

 

Isadore Bayles was born in Libau, Lithuania in 1876, the youngest of six children born to Rabbi Ephraim Bayles & Ida Rashe Friedman.

He came to America, in 1891, at the age of 15.

 

Along the way . . .

In 1898, Isadore Bayles journeyed to Victoria, British Columbia for the Klondike Gold Rush.

In 1903, Bayles opened a clothing store in Dawson, British Columbia, selling to the vast number of miners and pioneers that had settled in the area.

 

Alaska

Around 1905, Isadore Bayles moved to Fairbanks, as the Dawson City population dropped or moved on to other potential gold areas.

In 1910, he opened a clothing store in Fairbanks with Abe and Charles Isaacs.

In 1911, Bayles opened a clothing store in Iditarod with the Isaacs brothers, as a new gold find was announced and the prospectors rushed in.

In 1915, Bayles moved to Ship’s Creek Landing — which soon became Anchorage.

There he opened his men’s clothing store, I. Bayles Clothiers, at the corner of 4^th Avenue and D Street.

This store was located next door to his lifelong friend, Zachary Loussac and his pharmacy.

Bayles owned this business with a partner, Nathan Jaffe.

The store was sometimes called Jaffe & Bayles — Leading Clothier.

From the 1920’s thru the 1940’s, “Ike” Bayles traveled back and forth between his Fairbanks and Anchorage stores.

Eventually, Bayles bought out Jaffe’s share of the business and his store became I. Bayles Clothiers.

 

In 1925, Bayles invested in the Anchorage Times newspaper and, ten years later, served as President of the paper — a job he held for 15 years.

In 1950, Isadore Bayles retired and moved to San Francisco, where his younger daughter, Dorothy, lived.

 

Civic

In 1911, Isadore Bayles became a member of the first City Council after Iditarod was incorporated.

In Iditarod, Bayles served as Chairman of the Fire Committee and was a member of the Street Committee and the Law and Order Committee.

In 1922, Bayles was elected to the first City Council of Anchorage.

He served 8 terms on the Council as Chairman of the Finance Committee.

During his term, the City of Anchorage was kept out of most indebtedness and was on a solid fiscal foundation.

There was no question that the reason the town was solvent was due to Bayles’ financial policies.

Bayles also served for 20 years as the Chairman of the Anchorage July 4^th Celebrations.

Fraternal

Isadore Bayles was a Mason, who served as Vice-President of the Iditarod Masonic Club.

 

Community

In 1909, Bayles worked with the Jewish community to build a congregation called Chevra Bikur Cholim, and served as its first President.

Bayles led services at Isaacs Bros. & Co. Men’s Store in Iditarod, Alaska.

He purchased a Sefer Torah as well as other religious books for the Jewish community.

On Passover, Bayles presided over the community Seder.

 

Family

In 1909, Isadore Bayles married seventeen-year-old Beatrice Swartz.

They had two daughters: Edith Rose (b.1911) and Dorothy Progress (1912-1957).

 

Isadore Bayles died, in 1956.

He is buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Colma, California.

 

Legacy

In 1957, Dorothy and Edith donated Isadore Bayles‘ Torah Scroll to the Anchorage Jewish community.

In 1977, the City of Anchorage renamed two streets near Bayles’ clothing store, at 4^th Avenue and D Street, Ike Bayles Way and Bayles Plaza.

The now famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race begins in front of once was”Ike” Bayles’ clothing store.

 

Sources

• Matthew Eisenberg, “The Last Frontier: Jewish Pioneers in Alaska Part III,” Western States Jewish History 24/3.
• Bayles, Ike and Beatrice. http://www.alaskahistory.org/detail.aspx?ID=174
• Burial information at FindaGrave.com

Samantha Silver is curator of this Isadore Bayles exhibit.