David May (merchant)
David May | |
|---|---|
Kaiserlautern, Germany | |
| Died | 1927 (age 79) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | founder of May Company |
| Spouse | Rosa Shoenberg |
| Children | 4 |
| Family | Morton D. May (grandson) Kathy May (great-granddaughter) |
David May (1848–1927) was an American businessman and founder of the May Company department store.
Early life and education
David May was born to a
After moving for health reasons to
Legacy
May Company went on to become one of the largest department store chains in the United States through organic growth and acquisitions. Some of the chains acquired included: Bernheim-Leader in
.Personal life
In 1880, May married Rosa Shoenberg (b. 1860), his partner’s sister, in Leadville, Colorado. They had four children: Morton J. May (b. 1881), Tom May (b. 1883), Wilbur D. May (1898-1982), and Florene May (1903-1995). His daughter Florene married American architect Samuel Abraham Marx. His grandson Morton D. May succeeded his father in running the business, serving as CEO from 1957 and chairman of the board from 1967-1972.[2] Tennis player Taylor Fritz is a descendant of May through Fritz's mother, Kathy May.
In 1877, he helped to found the Hebrew Benevolent Association in Leadville. "By 1884, he had become deeply involved in community affairs. Early in the year he was elected vice president of
In July, 1927, he was buried in St. Louis in a ceremony led by Rabbi Emeritus Samuel Sale.[3]
References
- ^ Denver Inside and Out - Jeanne E. Colorado Historical Society - Google Books
- ^ a b c d e "David May, Pioneer Jewish Merchant, Founder of May Company & His Family". Jewish Museum of the American West. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
- ^ a b Strangers Among Us - Louise Clamme; Sinuard Castelo - Google Books
- ^ Abrams, Jeanne. "David May." In Immigrant Entrepreneurship: German-American Business Biographies, 1720 to the Present, vol. 3, edited by Giles R. Hoyt. German Historical Institute. Last modified May 31, 2016.
- ^ Leadville Colorado History: "Commodore Louis D. Shoenberg (Beaumont)" Archived 2015-04-01 at the Wayback Machine retrieved March 14, 2015
- ^ "Asher Hamburger & Family". Jewish Museum of the American West. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
- ^ Korn, William (2017). "Jewish Surnames/ May". Temple Israel.
- ^ Temple Israel Leadville: "David May" retrieved March 14, 2015
External links
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