The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-05-12
HENRY CLEWS.
A Brief Sketch of an Eminent Banker

A brleI Sketcu OIL an Eminent BANKER
AS nations advanceTin wealth and num-
bers, and as their commercial affairs null
tiply, the character of their private bank
ing firms becomes of the highest impor
lance
Trade watches the manipulations of
those who handle its medium of exchange
with the keenest and most anxious scru-
tiny. Distrust in reference to the pro-
cesses that transfer money is instantly
felt to the remotest extremity of the body
polite, and in order to keep the latter in
healthy action, the flow must be pure and
regular in business point of view, and
must sweep through uncontaminated
| channels.
We have been lead to these remarks by
careful observation of some of our high
toned banking firms, and the saving in
| f1uence which they have exercised over
business by the excellence of their eX-
ample. Among these the house of Henry
Clews q Co. has become eminent, of late
years, for those qualities that should dis
tinguish The financial calling.
Henry Clews, Esq, the senior partner
and he'd of this esteemed house-a native
of England, and about thirty-six years of
age-came to the United States as early
as 1919, with his father, whose heavy con-
nectiOn with American trade gave the
young man an immediate opportunity of
noting the active, enterprising and yet
peculiarly practical tone of our people.
The latter so won upon him that he de-
termined to abandon the study for the
ministry, which had been his first inten-
ton, and betake himself to business
With this view he quickly sought and OBJ
tanned q clerkship in one of the most
prominent wooden houses of the day,
where his untiring industry for proba-
tionary term of nine years-his integrity,
promptitude, intelligence, and, at the same
time, his excellent personal habits and
amiability of temperament, gave him solid
position, and won for him, literally, hosts
Of friends. Mr. Wilson G. Hunt, the head
of the house where he was thus employed,
bestowed upon him the highest marks OF
approval as his service heightened, and
at last, when Mr.. Clews sought an indie.
pendent path, vouched for his ability and
integrity.
Clews became a member of the enterpris
ing banking firm of Stout, Clews & Ma
son. Alter one or two changes of title
but all the while rising in public esteem
the house Is now established, and respect
ed, far and wide, under the title of Henry
Clews & Co.
The same energy, clear-sightedness ant
activity, which had given the subject O
, our sketch his first success, attended hin
as he advanced. From dealing in com
mercial paper, he took up Government
securities, when heavy loans were con
; tinually negotiated for the nation. TIL
needs OF the country were pressing, an,
in the patriotism and intellect Of Mr.
Clews, found timely help. BY his argu
, ments and ready Investments, other CAPT
, tallstS were encouraged to step forward a
the moment when weaker heads an,
colder hearts were afraid to indOrse tn
Union loan To his example, Mr. Clew
added the influence OF personal represen
tation, and by his agreeable manners, a
. well as by the resources of his thorough
business knowledge, carried many firm
with him in the good work, which other
wise might have stood aloof His faitl
d never swerved in the darkest hours O
the country'S trials, and as the cloud
S grew more somber, his enthusiasm onl
frightened.
d at length, in 1876, the Clews con
Germ had raised its business operations t.
: several millions per diem, of which tn
National loan received goodly share
Z AT last the war terminated, and MI
/, Clews and his associates found themselve
among the wealthiest and most distin
guished of American bankers. This posi-
: ton was easily maintained and steadil
improved, until 1868, when all stoc
operations for members of the firm, eithe
d Individually or collectively, were, by writ
S ten agreement, abandoned. As the coun
try, resuming its activity, began to breath
= | freely nnain and ha hue linn Of al
t preparation was heard from all quarters
making ready FOR q new development G
n national prosperity, Mr.. Clews found fresl
s opportunities for beneficial investment
and of these his sagaciOus mind and &C
+ CURED experience made brilliant use. Tn
national securities, which he held, wer
sold by him to an extent sufficient to Sc
q, free a considerable amount of the capita
L that he had placed in them, and thes
funds were, at once, reinvCsted in railrOa
loans AT the present time, the Gle "
/ firm are the financial agents of some @
: the most important roads in the Unite,
I States.
The passing visitor in Wall street ha
8 but to glance at the busy throng whicl
I hurries in and ont of their spacious Office
: in the edifice formerly used by the Unite
States Treasury, through the working
\ day, in order 10 feel satisfied that Nh
' Clews has a large measure of public con
: fiience and esteem. The impression
general, that when his name appears il
connection with any projected improve
e ment, all is well. Nor is Mr.. Clews III
:. accustomed To express his financia
. opinions with terseness and power. III
Yields trenchant pen, and the highes
financial intellects in the land hay
: profted by his suggestions
q Still in the prime Of manhood, MI
:, Clews stands upon an eminence to wbic
= few others have been able to climb. BE
% hind and around him lie beautiful
ordered, the evidences OF untiring exel
e tons, that have sustained and extendc
e the welfare of the country, and filled hi
n own Golfers with well earned rewards.
It The future brightens at his feet, full c
: noble opportunities. Who can doubt tina
the after career of so gifted and valued
| citizen will reflect still fairer honor upo
# the name of the American merchant, an
g the estimate in which the world shall hol
}. the Characteristic type of the America
). gentleman. = The Neto York Mercantil
o Journal
> Animal Instinct.