The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1870-04-29
HENRY CLEWS.

j HENRY CLEWS. smcs
A Brief Sketch of an Eminent Banker
As nations advance in wealth and mum
be1s, and as their commercial affairs multi.
ply, the character Of their private banking
firms becomes of the highest importance.
Trade watches the manipulations oi
those who handle its medium Of exchange
with the keenest and most anxious scruti-
nv. Distrast in reference to the processes
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 sweel
through uncontaminatedc channels. -s
We have been lead to these remarks by
careful observation of some of our high
toned banking firms, and the saving infu-
ence which they have exercised over busi-
ness by the excellence of their example,
Among these, the house of Henry Clews d
| Co. has become eminent. of late years, for
those qualities that should distinguish the
financial calling. >1" e.
Henry Olews, Esq, the senior partner
and head of this esteemed house-a native
of England, and about thirty-six years of
age-came to the United States as early as
1910, with his father, whose heavy connec-
ton with American trade gave the young
man an immediate opportunity of noting
the active, enterprising, and yet peculiarly
practical tone of onr people.
p The latter so won upon him that he de-
termined to abandon the study for the min
istIy, which had been his first intention,
and betake himself tobusiness. With this
view he quickly sought and obtained a
clerkship In one Of the most prominent
wooden houses of the day, where his IN
tiIing industry for probationary term of
nine years--his integrity, promptitude, in
telhgence, and, at the same time, his excel
lent personal habits and amiability of tenn
permanent, gave him solid position, and
won for him, literally, hosts OF friends.
Mr.. Wilson G. Hunt, the head of the house
where he was employed, bestowed upon
him the highest marks of approval as his
service heightened, and, at last, when Mr..
Clews sought an Independent path, vouehed
for his ability and integrity.
At the early age of twenty-five Mr.. Clews
became member of the enterprising bank
ing firm of Stout Clews & Mason. After
one or two changes of title,i but all the
while rising in public esteem, the house is
now established, and respected, far and
wide, under the title of Henry Clews &Co.
The same energy elear-sightedness, and
activity, which had given the subject of
our sketch his first success, attended him
as he advanced. From dealing in CONNER
cial paper, he took up Government Secur-
tiles, when heavy loans were continually
negotiated for the nation. The needs OF
the country were pressing, and in the pat
riotism and intellect of MIR. Clews, found
timely help by his arguments and readyin-
yestments, other capitalists we're encour-
aged to step forward at the moment when
weaker heads and colder hearts were afraid
to endorse the Union loan. To his exam
pie, Mr.. OleWs added the influence of per-
sonal representation. and by his agreeable
manners, as well as by the resources of his
thorough business knowledge, carried
many q firm with him IN the good work.
which otherwise might have stood sloof.-
His faith never sFerVed in the darkest hours
of the country's trials, and as the clouds
grew more somber, his enthusiasm only
frightened. --- SEQ zh-..S !
At lengrh, in 1S64-5 the Clews concern
had raised its business operations to sew
eral millions per diem, Of which the Ma
tionaf loan received goodly share.
At last the war terminated, and Mr..
CleHs and his associates found themselves
among the Yealthiest and most distinguish
ed of American bankers. This position
was easily maintained and steadily i'm
proved until 1858, when all stock ope rG-
tions for members of the firm, either n
dividually or collectively, were by written
agreement abandoned. AS the country, re-
suming its activity, began to breathe freely
again, and the busy hum of railroad prepa-
ration was heard from all quarters, making
ready for new developments of national pros
perity, Mr.. Clews found fresh opportunities
for beneficial Investment and OF these his
lsagaeious mind and acquired experience
made brilliant use. The national securities
which he held, we're sold by him to an eL-
tent sufficient to set free considerable
amount of the capital -that-he had placed
in them, and these funds were at once re-
invested in railroad loans. AT the
present time the Clews firm are the
financial agents of some of the most i'm
portant roads in the United States.
The passing visitor in Wall street has
but to glance at the busy throng which
hurries in and out of their spacious offices
in the edifce formerly used by the United
States Treasury, through the working day,
in order to feel satisfied that Mr.. Clews has
large measure of public confidence and
esteem. The impression is general that
when his name appears in connection with
any projected Improvement, allis we'll Nor
is Mn. Olews unaccustomed to express his
financial opinions with terseness and pow
er. He Wields a trenehent pen, and the
highest financial intellects in the land have
profted by his suggestions. g,s F1ss &
Still in the prime of manhood Mr. Clews
stands upon an eminence to which few 9th
ers have been able to climb. Behind and
around him lie beautifully ordered the evil
dences of untiring exertions, that have
sustained and extended the welfare of the
country, and filed his own Golfers with
well earned rewards. 1;5airr z
The future brightens at his feet, full of
noble opportunities Who can doubt that
the after career of so gifted and valued a
citizen will reflect still fairer honor upon
the name of the American merchant, and
the estimate in which the world shall hold
the characteristic type of the American
gentleman Netc FTl6 Mercantile Jour
nal lr .-
SOMEBODY, described as s'an experienced
| H., fofl