The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-12-27
HIS FIRST DOLLAR.
Henry Clews Tells How He Started
the Foundation of His Fortune.

Henry Clews, the banker, financier and
author, being asked BY representative of
the New York SIM as TO how he laid tho
foundation of his fortune said:
Il was preparing for Cambridge when
first came to this country. It was the rule
In English families not only to dispose of
the children in marriage, but also tn select
LOT them their occupation in life. My parents
had decided upon making me Clergyman
MY FAMILY had been famous for clergymen
LOT many generations. An uncle of mine
named Tysen. was vicar IF Wools.auton. in
Staffordshire. He had number of curacies
at his disposal, and it was his desire that /
should take one. Now, a curate never re-
ceived more than E100 per aunum. That
was to be my future. OF course, when my
uncle died l might have succeeded him, but
there was nothing certain about that Like
/. most English boys. I had no thought, enc
dav or the other, about accepting the life
mapped out for me. There was no question
about 1t. 1t had been decided, and | did not
think of disputing the decision. During one
OF my vacations, however. l thought should
like to come to America. had brother here
who was in business, and my father had
gone over on some business also, and l.
thought I'd like to see the country. re-
quested permission TO come, and it was
accorded me. l sailed from Liverpool in
the ship England. and landed in New York
alter passage Of thirty-two days. Shortly
alter my arrival my father returned tp En-
gland. but as had seen but very little of
the country l requested permission to re-
main longer, and my father agreed.
II had not been here long before my
ideas broadened and l perceived that here
in this country there were opportunities of
which had never dreamed in England. 1
became very much dissatisfied with the idea
OF returning to my narrow prospects in En-
gland, and after some deliberatiOn | deter
mined to remain. | was at the time in re-
cept of a small allowance from my father,
which obtained through a banking house
in this city.
II had no sooner determined to stay here
than l looked around for some employment,
and secured a situation as assistant book
keeper with the firm of Wilson B. Hunt at
William street and Maiden lane. Mr. Hunt
was related distantly to my family, having
married cousin, and 1t was for that reason
principally that secured employment under
him. NV first salary was $3.50 year. l
was then IA years of age. wrote to my
father soon as had secured the place.
Informing him that l would not return to
England, and that he need not send me any
further allowance. My father and mother
wrote me to come home, but L refused to do
SO. and have not been there since"
From this small beginning Mr.. Clews has
built up u colossal fortune, which is now tlIe
backbone of the banking firm of which ne is
the senior member. Mr.. Clews referred
with pride to the fat that at his early age
lie was one of the best penmen in the CITY
OF New York. Ii was his splendid penman-
ship that made 1t easy for him to secure his
first situation and that won for him shortly
thereafter the diploma at the American In
stitute Exhibition in Castle Garden. That
diploma, handsomely framed, now forms
one OF the decorative features Of MIR. Clews'
home