WISE, James DeCamp - Putnam

Source: Passaic, New Jersey Herald-News Friday Jan 13, 1984 p 30

New York – James DeCamp Wise, retired chairman of the Bigelow-Sanford Carpet Co and former director of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York has died after suffering a heart attack.  He was 85.  Wise, who practiced law before entering the rug business was stricken at New York’s Kennedy Airport and died Saturday at Jamaica Hospital in Queens, NY.  Wise, who pioneered the introduction of synthetic fibers in carpets, became president of Bigelow-Sanford in 1945 and was chairman from 1956 until his retirement in 1961.  He was a director of the company from 1939 until it was acquired by the Sperry & Hutchinson Co in 1967.  Wise was a director of the New York Fed from 1959 – 1964 and was its deputy chairman from 1961-1964.  He also was a trustee of the Consolidated Edison Co from 1952-1971.  Wise was born in Greencastle, Ind and grew up in Los Angeles.  He received his undergraduate and law degrees from Columbia University.  He was a senior partner at Cahill, Gordon, Zachry & Reindel until 1945.  Wise is survived by his wife, Joanna de Leu Wise of Riverdale, NY; a son, Henry Wise of Oakland, Calf; a brother, William Wise of Baja, Calif; two stepsons and 10 grandchildren and step grandchildren.  His first wife, Katherine died in 1965.  A memorial service was to be held today.