James Black Wise was born in Bradford, Connecticut on December 27, 1858, and came to Watertown with his parents, Joseph and Elizabeth Black Wise, in 1869.
He was an intense and energetic boy who showed an early desire to earn his own way. He was a newspaper carrier, a newspaper folder and a newsboy while still in grammar school. After being accepted at Watertown High School, he decided instead to leave school and take commercial college courses.
His first business venture was to purchase the rights to sell newspaper and fruit to the trains running out of Watertown. He later ran a similar business serving the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg trains running out of Oswego. Returning to Watertown from Oswego in 1877, he joined his father in his hardware specialties business and, upon his father’s death, continued the business on his own, purchasing a factory building on Mill Street in 1891. He was extremely successful in business and reached the status of millionaire.
He was active in many businesses including: President of the Singer Fire Alarm Company; President of the Watertown Brass and Manufacturing Company; Secretary and Treasurer of the Ryther Manufacturing Company, and Director in the Union Carriage and Gear Company.
In 1888, Mr. Wise was elected Alderman for the Second Ward of Watertown. He mounted three campaigns for Mayor. The first, in 1890, saw him lose to the very popular Wilbur F. Porter. In his second attempt in 1891, he was defeated by only fifty-two votes. In 1892, he was again nominated but declined with thanks. Urged to run again in 1894, Mr. Wise entered the race as the Republican nominee and was finally elected Mayor. He was then re-elected four more times, serving five consecutive one-year terms.
He was a member of the Odd Fellows and a Mason. He was interested in athletics and outdoor sports.
In 1881, Mr. Wise married Hattie C. Willard of Watertown, and the couple had two sons, Charles Ralph Wise and Earl Willard Wise.
Mr. Wise travelled to Atlantic City, New Jersey in the late spring of 1916, hoping to improve his ill health. He died there on June 7, 1916 at the age of 57. He is buried at Brookside Cemetery.
