Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1870-04-28
HENRY CLEMS. .


bers and as their commercial affairs mul
uply, the character of their private bank.
ing firms becomes of the highest import.
ance.
Trade watches the manipulations OF
those wro handle its medium of exchange
with tn, 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 chan
nels.
, 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 bust
ness by the excellence of their example
Among these, the house of Henry Clews &
Co. has become eminent of late yesrs, for
those qualities that should distinguish the
financial calling.
Henry Clews, 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
lS49, with his father, whose heavy connec-
ton with American trade gave the young
man immediate opportunity of noting the
active, enterprising, and yet peculiarly
practical tone Of oar people.
The latter so won upon him that he de.
termined to abandon the study for the min
istry, which had been his first intention,
and betake himself to business. With this
view he quickly sought and obtained
clerkship in one of the most prominent
wooden houses of the day, where his I'M
firing industry for a probationary term of
nine years-his integrity, promptitude, in
telligence, and, al the same time, his ex.
osllent personal habits md amiabiity of
temperament-ga 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 up
on him the highest marks sf approval AS
his service heightened, and, at last, when
Mr.. Clews sought au independent path,
youched for his ability and integrity.
At the early age of twenty-five Mr.. Clews
became member of fhe enterprising bank
ing firm of Stout, Clews & Mason. After
one or two changes OF title, but all the
time rising in public esteem, the house is
now established and respected, far and
wide, under the title of Henry Clews n Co.
The same energy, clear-sightedness, and
activity, which has given the subject of our
sketch his first success attended him as
he advanced. From dealing in CONNER
cial paper, he took up Government Secu-
rites, when heavy loans were continually
negotiated for the nation The needs of the
country were pressing, and in the patriotism
and intellect of Mr. Clews, found timely
help. By his arguments and ready invest
ments, other capitalists were encouraged
to step forward at the moment when weaker
heads and colder hearts were afraid to en-
dorse the Union Loan. To his example
Mr.. Clews added the influence Of personal
representation, and by his agreeable man.
ners, as well as by the resources of his thor
ough business knowledge carried many
firm with him in the good work, whi.h 9TH
eiwise might have stood aloof. His faith
never swerved in the darkest hours of the
country's trials, and as the clouds grew
more somber, his enthusiasm only bright
AT length, in 1854 5 the Clews concern
had raised in business operations to sew
eral millions per diem. of which the Ma
tional loan received goodly share.
At last the war terminated and Mr.
Clews and his associates found themselves
among the wealthiest and most distin-
guished American bankers. This posi-
ton was easily maintained and steadily
improved, until 1868, when all stock opera
tons for members of the firm, either indi
vidually or collectively, were, by written
agreement, abandoned. As the country,
resuming its activity, began to breathe
freely again. and the busy hum of railroad
preparation was heard from all quarters
making ready for a new development of
national prosperity, Mr.. Clews found fresh
opportunities for beneficial investment,
and of these his sagacious mind and ac-
quired experience made brilliant use. The
national securities, which he held, were sold
by him to an extent sufficient to set free
considerable amount of the capital that lac
had placed III them, and these funds were
at once reinvested 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 edifice 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, all is
well. Nor is Mr.. Clegs unaccustomed to
express his financial opinions with terse-
ness and power He yields q trenchant
pen, and the highest financial intellects
in the land have proftted by his sugges.
TONS
Still in the prime Of manhood, Mr. Clews
stands upon an eminenee to which few
others have been able to climb. Behind
and around him lie beautifully ordered, the
evidences of untiring exertions, that have
sustained and extended the welfare of the
country and filed his own Golfers with
gell-earned rewards.
The future brightens at his feet, full Of
noble opportunities Who can doubt that
the after-career Of so gifted and valued q
citizen will reflect still fairer honor upon
the name of the American merchant, and
! the estimate in which the world shall hold