James Blanchard Clews (August 4, 1859 – December 17, 1934) was an American railroad executive and banker.
Early life
Clews was born in Dunkirk in Chautauqua County, New York on August 4, 1859. He was a son of John Clews (1826–1862) and Sabina ( Dayman) Clews (1830–1912). His older brother was John Henry Clews, who also became a banker.
His uncle was the prominent financier and author Henry Clews. Among his many cousins were Elsie Clews Parsons (wife of U.S. Representative Herbert Parsons) and artist Henry Clews Jr., who lived at the Château de la Napoule in France. His paternal grandparents were Bessie (née Kendrick) Clews and James Clews, a prosperous manufacturer of Staffordshire ware.
He graduated from Chamberlain College in Randolph, New York in 1888.