CHAPTER LX.

JAMES B. AND JOHN H. CLEWS.

The subjects of this sketch, whose portraits adorn these pages, are both

members of my firm and I think this book would be incomplete without

putting in a few words in reference to them. As will be seen by the

sketches which follow, they both commenced their business careers in a

modest way and through perseverance and industry have attained positions

in the financial world which are in every way creditable to them. I have

made it a rule never to introduce a blood relative into my office for a

position of trust unless I believed him worthy of confidence and capable

of performing the duties assigned to him in an intelligent manner. To do

so would be an act of injustice, not only to him but to his associates

in the office, and generally causes ill feeling and bad results in the

end. Happily with my nephews I have had no such cause or ground for

complaint. On the score of merit alone they have succeeded in advancing

themselves to their present positions.

James Blanchard Clews was born in Dunkirk, N. Y., August 4, 1859. After

graduating from Chamberlain College, in this State, he entered the

general office of the Red Line Transit Company, in Buffalo, N. Y., where

he spent two years. He then accepted a position of responsibility in the

General Manager’s office of the Union Steamboat Company, also located in

Buffalo. Here his ability and his growing capacity for making a good

business man were further satisfactorily illustrated and recognized by

those officially over him. Realizing, however, that Wall Street offered

better opportunities for advancement, he resigned his position and

obtained one in my banking office as book-keeper. Commencing at the

bottom of the clerical staff, he displayed so much ability, coupled with

untiring energy in the performance of his duties, it was a pleasure to

promote him from time to time, whenever an opportunity offered, with the

result that after eight years of vigorous training through the

successive grades of Book-keeper, Cashier, and General Manager, he was

rewarded in 1890 by being made a member of my firm. It will thus be seen

that my nephew possesses a thorough and practical knowledge of the

inside workings of a banking house which is so essential to a successful

Wall Street business man. Being besides a student of nature, he has also

improved every opportunity to learn the value of railroad and other

investments and to-day is a recognized authority on all such matters. He

has served as President of an important railroad and is a Director in a

number of large corporations.

John H. Clews,[1] junior member of the firm of Henry Clews & Co., was

born October 28, 1856. In beginning his business career he entered the

service of the Erie Railroad Company, in the transportation department,

where he gained a general knowledge of railroad management and its

affairs. After a few years with that company he was offered a position

with the Western Transportation Company, the water line of the New York

Central Railroad. Here he had the opportunity of completing his

education in all the branches of transportation. He was then appointed

Agent of the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railway at East Buffalo, N.

Y., the distributing point for all freight between the East and the

West. From this place he entered Wall Street, where he evinced the same

progressive spirit. In 1890 he became a member of the New York Stock

Exchange, acting as one of the chief brokers for Henry Clews & Co., and

January 1, 1898, he obtained an interest in the firm.

Footnote 1:

Deceased April 10, 1907.

[Illustration:

_Thomas L. James_

]

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