Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1870-05-20
HENRY CLEWs.

A Brief Sketch OF an Eminent Banker.
AS nations advance in 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 a business point of view, and
must sweep through uncentaminated
channels. 80
We have been lead to these remarks by
careful observation of some ofour high
toned banking firms, and the saving in
fuence which they have exercised over
business by the excellence of their ex-
ample. Among these the house of Henry
Clews 6 Co. has become eminent, of late
years, for those qualities that should dis
tinguish the financial CO Hing.
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 1S49, with his father, whose heavy con-
nection with American trade gave the
young man an immediate oppor tunity 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 a 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 ep gaT
at the early age of twenty five, Mr..
Clews became a member of the enterpris-
ing banking firm Of Stout, Clews s. Ma
son. After one or two changes of title,
but all the while rising in public esteem,
the house is now established, and respect
cd, far and wide, under the title of Henry
Clews q Co. ~
The same energy, clear sightedness and
activity, which had given the subject of
our sketch his first success, attended him
as he advanced. From dealing in COM
mercial paper, he took up Government
securities, when heavy loans were con-
tinually 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 argu-
ments and ready investments, other CAPT
talists were encouraged to step forward at
the moment when weaker heads and
colder hearts were afraid to indorse the
Union loan. To his example, Mr.. Clews
tation, and by his agreeable manners, as
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 faith
never swerved in the darkest hours of
the country's trials, and as the clouds
grew more somber, his enthusiasm only
frightened. e-Ec
At length, in 1896, the Clews con-
Germ had raised its business operations to
several millions per diem, of which the
National loan received a goodly SHARE
At last the war terminated, and Mr..
Clews and his associates found themselves
among the wealthiest and most distin-
guished of American bankers. This posi-
ton was easily maintained and steadily
improved, until 1868, when all stock
operations for members of the firm, either
individually or collectively, were, by writ
ten agreement, abandoned. As the coun-
try, 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 developme emit 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 he had placed in them, and these
funds were, at once, reinyested in railroad
loans. At the present time, the Clews
firm are the financial agents of some of
the most important roads in the United
States r,r
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 con-
fidence and esteem. The impression is
general, that when his name appears in
connection with any projected improve
ment, all is well. Nor is MIR. Clews I'M
accustomed to express his financial
opinions with terseness and power. He
yields tranchant pen, and the highest
financial intellects in the land have
profted by bis suggestions.
Still in the prime OF manhood, Mr..
Clews stands upon an eminence to which
few others have been able to climb. Be-
hind and around him lie beautifully
ordered. the evidence of untiring exer-
lions, that have sustained and extended
the welfare of the country, and filled his
own Golfers with welI-earned rewards.
The future brightens at his feet, full of
noble Opportunities Who can doubt that
the after-career. of SO gifted and valued
citizen viii reflect still faifer honor upon
the name of the American merchant, and
the estimate in " hich the world shall hold
the characteristic type of the American
gentleman - Tie Aew York Mercantile