Bio of Finch, Clarence E. Wabasha Co., MN
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Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Barbara Timm and Carol Judge
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This bio comes from "HISTORY OF WABASHA COUNTY" 1884.
Check out Barbara's site for more great information on this book:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~mnwabbio/wab1.htm
There are also some pictures and information from descendents for some 
of the bios on her pages.

Finch, Clarence E., Lake City, born at Darien, Connecticut, commenced
business life as clerk in town clerk's office, postoffice and country
store of that town at an early age, for John S. Waterbury, who still
conducts the same offices and business. Afterward engaged as clerk in a
New York city retail drygoods store, with John S. Lane, a brother-in-law
of his Connecticut employer, and remained in this position about two
years. Later was salesman in the shawl and cloak department of the
wholesale drygoods house of Lathrop, Luddington & Co., of New York city,
for one year, and from there engaged with H. B. Claflin & Co. (the largest
wholesale drygoods house in New York) as general salesman. After remaining
with this house about one year, went to St. Paul in pursuit of health.
Being greatly benefitted by the climate, concluded to make a residence in
St. Paul. He cast his first vote there in the interests of the republican
party, and has adhered closely to the same doctrine ever since. After a
short residence in St. Paul, engaged as salesman with the old and well
known drygoods house of D. W. Ingersoll & Co., of that city, this firm
being customers of the New York houses that Mr. Finch was previously
engaged with. After a term of about three years with this firm, he engaged
in the wholesale tea, coffee and spice business as traveling salesman for
the firm of Granger & Hodge, of St. Paul, this change of business being
made in pursuit of better health; two years later was admitted as partner
in this concern, and remained another year in the business. During the
last year's connection with the tea and coffee house, Mr. Finch was
offered a partnership in a new wholesale drygoods house of St. Paul, just
commencing business. At the same time was tendered a large salary for a
term of years by Auerbach, Finch & Scheffer, wholesale drygoods, of St.
Paul, which offer was accepted, and engagement fulfilled. In 1876 he
returned to New York and re-entered the old house of H. B. Claflin & Co.,
as general salesman. In the spring of 1877, while connected with the New
York house, Mr. Finch brought a general stock of drygoods and groceries
from New York to Lake City, and established his present business, bringing
Mr. E. R. Cartwright, of New York, to conduct the business until he
concluded his arrangements with H. B. Claflin & Co. In the fall of 1877
Mr. Finch came to Lake City to personally superintend his business, which
has steadily increased in keeping with his previous successes, and has
since been known as the "New York cash store." The store building Mr.
Finch bought in 1875, on speculation from H. B. Claflin & Co., therefore
his establishing a business in Lake City could be considered accidental.
The building is the only white or cream brick structure in Lake City, and
the first brick building built in the town. The brick were brought from
Chaska, on the Minnesota river, and it was built by Mr. James C. Stout in
1866. It is one of the very best built buildings in the town, having been
only slightly scorched by the two destructive fires of Lake City. The
building, 25x80, is two stories and basement, and usually crammed full of
goods from roof to cellar, with a general stock of drygoods, carpets,
oilcloths, house furnishing goods, crockery, glassware, groceries, etc.
Mr. Finch buys his goods mostly in New York, from first hands, and
strictly for cash. Having received his business education with the best
business houses in this country, he enjoys the reputation of being one of
the best judges of goods and closest buyers west of Chicago. He believes
in the "one price cash system, small profits and quick sales." His
forefathers were of the revolutionary stock, English origin, and he still
retains an interest in the two old homesteads in Connecticut, descending
from both his father's and mother's side, one of which has been in the
family about one hundred and fifty years, deeded to them from the
government, and within an hour's ride of New York city. He was reared in
the Episcopal church, commencing his business life at his home in
Connecticut. Worked for a whole year, according to the custom of that
country, for one dollar a week, and at about the age of thirty, before
entering business on his own account, was paid a salary of five thousand
dollars a year. He still has the identical first week's salary, in the
shape of a gold dollar, in his safe. Besides Mr. Finch's interests in Lake
City and Connecticut, he is extensively interested in St. Paul and
Minneapolis real estate, and seems to have been successful in all of his
undertakings, excepting the taking of a wife, being still a bachelor.