Lang, Henry, 1828-

Henry Lang was born on February 7, 1828 in Bar Head, Scotland. He came to America with his parents at the age of four. Lang moved to Newark when he was 15 years old and began working in the leather industry. From 1847 to 1870, Lang was manager of several different leather factories in Newark as well as Maine. In 1870 Lang decided to go into business for himself. Lang's Newark factory focused on manufacturing leather for trunks and bags and in 1876 the factory expanded into the manufacturing of leather for carriages, shoes, and harnesses. The Henry Lang Company was incorporated in 1892 and it occupied two acres of land between 17th Street, Boyd Street, and Lillie Street. Lang was elected to the Newark Common Council in 1876 and was elected mayor of Newark in 1882. Lang served as mayor for two years.