Henry Lang, who served as mayor of Newark from 1881 to 1883, once owned the property which is now the site of Camp Riverbend, near the Passaic River. Lang bought the property in 1887, possibly with the idea of retiring here. According to Shaw's History of Essex and Hudson Counties, Lang opened his factory at 195-99 Plane Street in 1869, manufacturing trunk, bag, harness, bridle and other kinds of leather. "The plant of this immense establishment includes eight buildings," wrote Shaw in the mid-1880s. "The various departments of the business contain a full complement of machinery, driver by two engines of 50 horsepower each. One hundred and fifty men are employed, who produce annual goods valued at $425,000." "Henry Lang was born in Barr Head, Scotland, Feb. 7, 1829, and, with his parents, came to America at the age of four years. His early days were spent in the city of New York, where he attended school until he reached his 15th year, when he removed to Newark." Lang learned the leather goods trade in Newark, then went to Maine, returning to Newark in 1869 when he founded his patent-leather business. In 1877, Lang was elected a member of the Common Council of the city for a term of two years, then re-elected twice before assuming the duties of mayor in October 1881. "One of his first acts upon assuming the government of the city was to cause an estimate to be made of paving Broad Street with granite block…. Mr. Lang gave, during his administration, a great deal of attention to matters affecting the health of the city…." and "showed a lively interest in matters of education. Strenuous efforts were made to enforce the attendance of children at the public schools." Realizing that many children were compelled by poverty to seek employment, he pushed for evening schools for those unable to attend during the day. After retiring from public office, Lang spent much of his free time as a member of the Board of Trade and as director of the German National Bank. He died at his residence on Broad street on Feb. 18, 1896, of heart trouble, survived by his son, William, who carried on the business. Lang bought four and a half acres of land from William and Almira French in April 1887, paying $900. His son, William, married Julia Armbruster, and they built an elegant Victorian home which later became the site of Camp Riverbend. William and Julia's grandson, Robert C. Lang, lived in Warren in the l970s, and descendants are still residents here. [Newark Evening News, 2/18/1896; Wm. Shaw, History of Essex & Hudson Counties; Somerset County Deed N6 page 259; Villages of the Crossroads, p. 6] © Warren Township Historical Society |