Micajah C. Henley

Who was Micajah C. Henley?

Micajah C. Henley was a Richmond, Indiana industrialist and inventor. He was a well known manufacturer of roller skates and bicycles sometimes known as "The Roller Skate King."

The Henley Roller Skate Works could turn out 2,000 pairs of roller skates in one day. He was granted at least two U.S. Patents for improvements to the Roller Skate in 1880 and 1881. Henley's Roller Skates were perhaps the best selling Roller Skates of the late 1890s.

Under the leadership of Henley, the workers at Henley Bicycle Works manufactured bicycles; roller skates; scooters; lawn furniture and lawn swings; iron working machinery; tools; boring, milling and screw driving machines used in wood manufacturing; gas meters; fence machines and lawn mowers. The company also provided nickel plating services.

Henley lived at 201 N. 14th Street in Richmond. The Wright Brothers lived at 211 N. 14th Street for a time. Henley sold Wilbur his first bicycle for $10, which Wilbur borrowed from his brother Orville. Thus the Wright brothers migrated from an interest in kites to bicycles.

In 1904, Henley expanded his business to include the automotive industry. He built an auto agency and service garage on Main Street where he commenced selling and servicing vehicles. In 1906, he sold the business and leased the real estate to a firm named of Draper & Whitsell.