Wesley began working for Charles Thorley in his early teens after school. That experience instilled in him a strong work ethic from a young age. In his later teen years, Wesley took on one of the most physically demanding jobs in New York City—he became a Sandhog, helping to dig the tunnels that would eventually become the city’s subway and underground infrastructure. The grueling labor helped him build immense physical strength.

At the same time, Wesley began strength training and wrestling at the local YMCA, earning him the nickname “The Hercules of Harlem.” He also trained in boxing and wrestling at the Harlem YMCA and could lift over 350 pounds overhead. His discipline and physical power set him apart. Later, he got a job as a mailman, where he learned to drive a truck—an unexpected skill that would prove invaluable later in life.

Wesley’s big break came when he applied to the New York Fire Department. He scored among the top applicants on the entrance exam and needed three letters of recommendation. The first came from his former boss, Charles Thorley, a respected figure known for his contributions to both the NYPD and FDNY. The second came from none other than President Theodore Roosevelt. The third was from financier J.P. Morgan. These endorsements were unprecedented—and controversial.

Many of his Irish-American colleagues in the firehouse didn’t welcome Wesley. He endured relentless harassment: his gear was sabotaged, his helmet repeatedly smashed, his boots filled with rotten chicken and excrement. A wrench was once dropped on his head. He was forced to sleep in the basement and had his utensils damaged. Despite this, he never backed down. Firefighters at the time often settled disputes through bare-knuckle fights in the basement, and Wesley never lost a single one.

One act of bravery stood out. During a major fire, Wesley, by then leading the hose team—faced a sudden backdraft explosion. While the rest of the crew fled in fear, Wesley was knocked down, got back up, and continued battling the blaze until it was out. His courage exposed the cowardice of his tormentors and earned him long-overdue respect.

Because of his earlier experience as a mailman, Wesley was the only one in his company who could drive the fire engine, making him indispensable. Eventually, many of the firefighters who had mistreated him transferred out. Wesley later transferred to a Harlem firehouse, where he made history as the first Black firefighter in FDNY history to be promoted to fire officer.

By the time he retired in 1952, Wesley had risen to the rank of battalion chief. It all started with his first job under Charles Thorley, who—when Wesley was just 11—treated him with dignity and respect. That early experience taught him a powerful lesson: he was valuable, he was equal, and anything was possible.

James Henry Williams's father was tired of him and his two brothers horsing around after school, so they attended the Colored School, located at 81. 128 West 17th Street. He wanted his boys to start working. So he found a listing in the paper and took his brothers to Charles Thorley Florist's shop. James got his first job as a florist messenger when he was nine (1887).

He worked for Thorley until 1923, when he was 45. He also worked as a designer for Thorney and his 2 other brothers. He was a designer as well. The Staff of designers were all black at Thorley Shop, which led to the success of the firm. They provided such beautiful designs and professionalism that hooked the New York “400” influential and wealthy families of the Gilded Age Society to shop only at Thorley’s Shops. After Thorley's death, he moved on to working full-time as a Red Cap. He broke the color line of the profession in 1903.

At the Thorley shop, James first met his wife as a teen. Much later, they got married, and they moved from 318 West 41st Street, Hell’s Kitchen, to the Tenderloin, 228 West 28th Street in the floral district. Many African Americans were invarious kinds of service jobs in the area. Many own their Bars, Clubs, and a few cigar shops.

To be clear, the Floral District was “uptown” in New York at the time and called the Tenderloin. It was called the Tenderloin because it was the area where the poor were harassed by police officers for money. There, the police would get enough money to buy steak for their families.

Greenwich Village was “Little Africa” from 1860 to the 1890s.

James’ Brother John “Wesley” worked for Thorley as well; he’s on the right of James in the photo below.