Issac Singer invented the modern sewing machine. His company was very profitable. His 50% partner was Howard Clark, a lawyer who handled numerous patent suits when Singer basically took this from machine one, that from machine two and produced something that truly worked.
Both men became super rich as a result of their ownership of the Singer Sewing Machine Company. Howard Clark used part of his wealth to build the Dakota near Central Park. This is where John Lennon was living when he was murdered. When issac Singer died his wife (wife number five as I recall) inherited his wealth and went to Paris to live a “jet set” life. SHE WAS THE MODEL FOR THE STATUE OF LIBERTY.