Hi Lister, I also had an ancestor uncle who was in patent leather in Newark in the early mid 1800s, and I suspect the patent leather industry was somewhat popular...one thought for researching more info on it, is through items found via Google search. Good luck, Jan in CA ettling at Newark, N. J. Henry worked in a patent leather factory until > about twenty years of age." Since Henry (a/k/a Herz) Speyer was born October > 26, 1832, he would have come to Newark about 1844 and lived there until > about 1852 when he married Margaret Pickens of Ireland in Williamsburg, > Kings Co., NY. They later moved to Cincinnati, OH, then Lexington , KY and > finally settled in Marshall Co., IN after the Civil War. Does anyone know > about the patent leather industry in Newark or where I might find out about > it?