Bio of CLERIHEW, Alexander E. (b.1861), Hennepin Co., MN ========================================================================= USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. If you have found this file through a source other than the MNArchives Table Of Contents you can find other Minnesota related Archives at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/mn/mnfiles.htm Please note the county and type of file at the top of this page to find the submitter information or other files for this county. FileFormat by Terri--MNArchives Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Laura Pruden Submitted: June 2003 ========================================================================= Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ======================================================== EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical ======================================================== ALEXANDER E. CLERIHEW - Vol II, pg 237-238 Among the large mercantile enterprises contributing steadily to the commercial development and progress of Minneapolis is that of Forman, Ford & Company, whole sale dealers in glass and paints and paint manufacturers. Of this company Alexander E. Clerihew is the president and his sound business judgment is manifest in the successful control of the enterprise under his direction. Born in New York city, on the 9th of November, 1861, he is a son of Alexander M. and Emily Van Wyck (House) Clerihew. The father, a native of Scotland, emigrated to the United States about 1835, settling in Pompton, New Jersey, whence he afterward removed to New York city. He engaged in the wholesale dry goods business throughout his life and after carrying on business in the eastern metropolis for some time he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and thence came to Minneapolis with his family, in the year 1884. Here he was engaged in the wholesale business to the time of his death, being a member of the firm of Shotwell, Clerihew & Lothmann, wholesale dry goods merchants. Progressiveness ruled him at every point in his career and constituted a basic element in the attainment of gratifying success. He passed away in 1908. His wife, a native of the Empire state, died in the year 1918. They were the parents of three children: Mrs. R. K. Buckman, Jr., and Mrs. Anson C. Morgan, both of Highland Park, Illinois; and Alexander E. Alexander E. Clerihew was educated in the public schools of Montclair, New Jersey, and of Cincinnati, Ohio, before entering Princeton University, in which he remained a student for two and a half years. In February, 1884, he came to Minneapolis with his parents and was here employed by his father's firm, Shotwell, Clerihew & Lothmann. On the 1st of January, 1890, he became associated with Forman, Ford & Company as credit man. The business was incorporated on the 1st of January, 1905, at which time Mr. Clerihew became the secretary, and on the 1st of January, 1906, he was elected to the dual office of vice president and treasurer. Thus he continued to serve the company until the 1st of July, 1910, when he was elected president and treasurer, and remains in these offices to the present time. He is largely instrumental in establishing the policy and directing the destiny of the house, which is enjoying a period of substantial advancement and growth. Mr. Clerihew has worked his way steadily upward with the company from the position of credit man, passing through various grades and promotions until he reached the highest office of the firm. This is one of the largest houses of the kind in the city and its continued growth is an indication of the splendid business ability and initiative spirit of Alexander E. Clerihew. He is also the vice president of the Northern Linseed Oil Company, a position which he has occupied since July, 1910. Various other interests and corporations have also benefited by his cooperation. Since the 10th of January, 1911, he has been one of the directors of the First National Bank and in 1919 he was elected vice president of the National Glass Distributors Association, holding the office for a year, at the end of which time he was chosen to the presidency of that concern. On the 9th of November, 1886, Mr. Clerihew was united in marriage to Miss Evelyn J. Forman, a daughter of the late Frank W. Forman, at one time senior partner of Forman, Ford & Company. Mr. and Mrs. Clerihew have a daughter, Catharine, who is the wife of George Norton Northrop of New York city. Not only does Mr. Clerihew's name find high place on the business records of Minneapolis, but also in connection with the club interests of the city, for he has membership in the Minneapolis Club, the Minikahda Club, the Lafayette Club and the Automobile Club and likewise in the University Club of Chicago. His is the record of a strenuous life-the record of a strong individuality, sure of itself, stable in purpose, quick in perception, swift in decisions, and energetic and persistent in action.