Leon May's
Travel Map

1861

Leon’s grandfather, Jacob May, was born in Hochst, Germany. He was one of twelve children.

1880

At 19, Leon’s grandfather moved to the United States of America and kept in touch with his family in Europe. Jacob May founded May Hosiery Mill in Nashville in 1909.

1922

Leon May was born in Nashville, Tennessee.

1934

Leon accompanied his parents to Europe. His father used his love of traveling as an excuse to travel to Germany; but in reality, the purpose of the trip was to try and help Jewish friends and relatives who were trying to flee Germany.

1934

During their visit the family traveled to Strasbourg. In Strasbourg they met with Paula Conn and her mother. The May family was able to arrange for Paula, her mother, and daughters to leave Germany and move to Nashville.

1936

The May family returned to Germany. Leon remembered their visit to Stuttgart; the city was decorated with Nazi flags.

1938

In 1938, the May family returned once more to visit Hoechst, Germany before Kristallnacht. They visited a Jewish cemetery and Nazi officials confiscated the film in their cameras, despite the fact that no pictures had been taken.

Leon’s grandfather Jacob and father Mortimer managed to help people flee Germany with each visit. The family provided jobs in their hosiery mill and places to live for everyone they were able to help escape.

Leon’s great uncle, Moses, and his son-in-law were arrested in a raid during Kristallnacht. They had to pay heavy fines in order to be freed. This convinced them to leave Germany, and make the move with their families to Nashville before the end of the year.

1939

August: Mortimer May was a delegate to the first World Jewish Congress in Geneva, Switzerland, held on the eve of World War II. Leon attended many of the sessions.

September: When war was finally declared in Europe, it became impossible for the Mays to bring more refugees. In total, the May family was able to bring 210 Jews to Nashville.

1941

1941-1945: Leon May served in the U.S. Navy on active duty for three years of World War II.

1990

A non-Jewish delegation from Hoechst came to Nashville to visit Jewish refugees.

2016

Leon May currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee.