Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1870-04-27
HENRY CLEWS.
Brief Sketch of am Emsnent Banker

8rtef Sketch of an Eminent Banker
As nations advance IN wealth and num
bers, and as their commercial affairs mul
lpiy, the character of their private bank
ing hrms becomes of the highest import.
ance
j Trade watches the manipuIations 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 III business point of view and
must sweep through uncontaminated chan
nels.
We have been lead to these remarks bv
careful observation of some of our high
toned banking firms, aud the saving infiu-
| ence which they have exercised over bust
ness by the excellence of their example.
Among these, the house of Henry Clews &
20. has become eminent of late yesrs, for
those qualities that should distinguish TIE
| 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
lo49, 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 our people.
The latter SO won upon him that he de-
termlned to abandon the study for the min
lstry, which had been his first intention,
and betake himself to business. With this
view he quickly sought and obtained a
clerkship in one of the most prominent
woolen houses of the day. where his un-
firing industry for a probationary term of
nine years-hls integrity, promptitude, in
! teil1gence, and, at the same time, his ey-
cellent 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 up
on him the highest marks ef approval as
his service heightened, and, at last. when
Mr.. Clews sought an independent path
vouched for his ability and integrity.
At the early age of twenty-five Mr.. CIews
became a member of fhe enterprising bank
ing firm of Stout, Clews & Mason. After
one or two changes of title, but all the
time rising III public esteem, the house is
now established and respected, far and
wide, under the title of Henry Clews t5 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 Seeu-
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 themoment 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
hrm with him In the good work, which 9th
eIwise might have stood aloof. His faith
never swerved in the darkest hours of the
countrys trials and as the clouds grew
more somber. bis enthusiasm only bright
At length in l864-65 the Clews concern
had raised in business operations TO sew
eral millions per diem, of which the Ma
honal loan received goodly share.
| At last the war terminated, AID Nir.
Clews and his associates found themselves
among the wealtl.iest and most distin-
/ guished American bankers This posi-
ton was easily masptained and steadily
! improved until 1868, when ali stock opera
tions for members of the firm, either indi-
yidually or collectively, were, by written
agreement, abandoned AS the country,
resuming its activity, began to breathe
freely again, and the busy hum of raitoad
! preparation was heard from all quarters
making ready for new development of
national prosperity, Mr.. Clews found fresh
opportunities for beneficial investment,
and of these his sagacious mind and ac-
| on
national securities, which he held, were sold
by him to an extent sufficient. to set free q
considerable amount OF the capital that Ae
had placed in 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 edifce formerly used by the United
States Treasury, through the working day
in order to feel satisfied that Mr.. Clews
! has a large measure of public confidence
and esteem. The impression is general
! that when his name appears iii connection
with any projected improvement, all is
well. Nor is Mr. Clews unaccustomed to
express his financial opinions with terse-
! ieSS anu power. 110 Wl6iuS x bfeDc0aIlE
! pen, aud the highest. financial inteilects
in the land have proftted by his sugges
tons. -t ~ 90
Still in the prime of manhood, Mr.. Clews
stands upon an eminence to which few
others have been able to climb. Behind
and around HIM lie beautifully ordered, the
evidences of urtiring eXertions. that b: sc
sustained and extended the welfare Of the
country, and filed his own Golfers with
well-earned rewards. t....- -...
The future brightens at his feet, full OF
noble opportunities. Who can doubt that
the after career of SO gifted and valued o
citizen Will reflect still fairer honor upon
the name of the American merchant and
the estimate in which the world shall hold
hecharacteristict type of the American gen
| tleman.-The Neeo YOTIc Mercantile Journal
SPRING DRY GooDs.,-J. T. BRADFoRD,
late Bradford Bros, Milwaukee. announced