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, 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.