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May, David, 1848-1927

 Person

Biography

David May was born in Bavaria and came to Colorado for his health. May opened his first clothing store in Leadville in 1887, where he and his partners sold Levis and long, red, woolen underwear. The second store was in Irwin, Colorado and the store later opened in Denver. The May Company moved the headquaters to St. Louis where David May died in 1927.

Found in 14 Collections and/or Records:

Blazing the Trail: An Early History of Denver’s Jewish Community, 2009

 Item
Identifier: B230.03.0023.00008
Abstract

Brief description of several early Jewish leaders of commerce, philanthropy, religion, and community as well as several Jewish lawyers, doctors, merchants, and politicians in Colorado.

Dates: 2009

Box 1, 1884-1887

 File — Box B135.01.0001: Series B135.01 [Barcode: U186020745971]
Identifier: B135.01.0001
Abstract On July 13, 1884, Horrace Tabor conveyed property, as a gift, to "David May for the Benefit of the Congregation Israel." The congregation was organized primarily by Germanic Jews under the practice of Reform Judaism. The temple cost $4,000 to erect and was dedicated on September 19, 1884. A separate Jewish cemetery was also created. Of Leadville's population of 30,000 in the early 1800s, there were around around 300 Jewish residents. Many Jewish families in Leadville left after the silver...
Dates: 1884-1887

Box 220 (Historical Information), 1900-1950

 File — Box B005.06.0220: Series B005.06 [Barcode: U186020757059]
Identifier: B005.06.0220
Abstract

Historical Information, Correspondence, David May background, Stationary from S. Pisko, Interviews.

Dates: 1900-1950

Congregation Israel (Leadville, Colo.) Records

 Collection
Identifier: B135
Abstract On July 13, 1884, Horrace Tabor conveyed property, as a gift, to "David May for the Benefit of the Congregation Israel." The congregation was organized primarily by Germanic Jews under the practice of Reform Judaism. The temple cost $4,000 to erect and was dedicated on September 19, 1884. A separate Jewish cemetery was also created. Of Leadville's population of 30,000 in the early 1800s, there were around around 300 Jewish residents. Many Jewish families in Leadville left after the silver...
Dates: Other: 1884-1887

David May

 File
Identifier: B111.07.0007.0026
Abstract

Born in 1848 in Bavaria, David May lived in New York and Cincinnati before travelling for health reasons to Colorado, where he opened a dry goods store in Leadville. This store became the foundation of one of America's biggest and best-known department store chains, the May Department Stores Company. May was a leader in the Leadville Jewish community and also had close ties to the Denver Jewish community, especially with Temple Emanuel and National Jewish Hosspital.

Dates: 1879-2008

Exterior of the May Company in Irwin, Colorado, between 1881-1882

 Item
Identifier: B063.01.0001.00009
Abstract View down main street of Irwin, Colorado. Exterior of an early May Company wood building can be seen in the left of the photograph with a sign that reads: ''D. May & Co. Square Dealing Clothing Room.'' David May immigrated to Colorado from Bavaria and started his first clothing store in Leadville in 1877. After 1877 David May opened branches of his store in Irwin (1881), Gunnison (1881), Aspen (Johnston & Co. 1886), Glenwood Springs (Manhattan Store, 1887), and Denver (April 12,...
Dates: between 1881-1882

From Peddlers to Merchant Princes: Early Colorado Jewish Entrepreneurs, 2006

 Item
Identifier: B230.03.0023.00005
Abstract Jews played a central role in the development of Colorado through their contributions to economic life and development. Denver's first mercantile store was opened by Jewish citizen Fred Salomon in 1859. Before long, stores run by Jewish merchants and their family members in search of work and wealth flourished on the main streets of most Colorado towns including, Denver, Central City, Leadville, Trinidad, and Fairplay. This film focuses on the lives of a number of early merchants, including...
Dates: 2006

Making a Living, Panel 1, 2001

 Item — Object B297.02.01.00034: Series B297.02 [Barcode: U18602328605]
Identifier: B297.02.01.00034
Abstract

One of 12 exhibit display panels from the exhibit "Blazing the Trail: Denver's Jewish Pioneers." Panel titled "Making a Living" features more historical information and includes David May and Leopold Guldman.

Dates: Other: 2001

May Company Advertisement, 1920

 Item
Identifier: B091.01.0001.0002.00003
Abstract May Company advertisement for a sale on hats. The advertisement has drawings of two men with hats and is advertising the sale of the hats for $3.85. There is ink on the reverse of the card because this is an example of an ''advertising blotter.'' David May immigrated to Colorado from Bavaria and started his first clothing store in Leadville in 1887. Later David May opened branches of his store in Irwin, Central City and Denver, Colorado. David May was an active supporter of National Jewish...
Dates: 1920

Photograph of David May Portrait, between 1900-1950

 Item
Identifier: B063.01.0001.00007
Abstract

Portrait painting of David May. Born in Bavaria, May opened his first clothing store in Leadville in 1887 where he and his partners sold Levis and long, red, woolen underwear.

Dates: between 1900-1950

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 13
Collection 1
 
Subject
Denver (Colo.) 8
Colorado 7
Jews 6
Leadville (Colo.) 5
Stores, Retail 4