James Leary (1792-1862)
of Staten Island; Hat Manufacturer, of Leary & Co., New York City
His father, when still a boy, emigrated to New York from Ireland. James was a childhood friend of William Backhouse Astor which served him well when he became a hatter. He bought his beaver pelts from the Astors and set-up shop in the basement of the fashionable Astor House Hotel. It was said by Mary Cantwell that he, "made more money than one might think possible in the chapeau business". He retired to a house on Staten Island but after his death his widow moved to 90 Fifth Avenue. Aside from these facts, remarkably little is known about James or his wife. However, they had six children (listed) including the society favorite, Arthur Leary, and his sister (and chaperone) Annie, the first woman to be created a Papal Countess in the United States.
