Ionia Daily Standard, 19 Apr 1901

In the death of Lemuel Clute there passes away an honest man. It is a remarkable fact that in the many high business, social and political relations and positions of responsibility throught which he passed, suspicion never breathed a calumny against his integrity. He closed an eventful life in an eventful period, without a blemish to destroy its symmetry. He detested sham in all its forms. Public life with him was not an ambition, but a duty, and wherever his lot was cast, his whole soul was enlisted.

As a practitioner at the bar his career was eventful and successful, but it was in his private life that he was the more fortunate. The circle of his friendship was wider, for it went beyond the lines of a set or a party. Personal integrity, a great kindness of heart, a wide human sympathy, and a pure home life were virtues that all accorded to him.

A stroke of paralysis a little over a year ago excited the solicitude of his friends, and no doubt turned his own thoughts towards the solemn hour. He did not, however, allow this danger to cloud his spirit or drive him from the activities of life. Indeed,, the last year of his life seemed to be quite full of gladness and labor. It seems to him better to expend the days that remained in useful labor rather than in vain complainings. He was a man of strong well power and refused to go to bed until Tuesday. He was unconscious since Wednesday.

Mr. Clute was born of Dutch Parentage in New York 66 years ago. He became a sailor at 20, and visited all parts of the globe including the Phillippines. At 24 he came to Ionia and went to school to his brother, Oscar Clute. He studied law with Hon. Albert Williams, and soon after opened an office of his own, had as a student, Hon. V.H. Smith, who afterward became a business partner. All have practiced law here ever since. The profession of the law was more to him than a livelihood. He was a thoughtful student of the philosophy of the law. He voted for Linclon, but in the Greeley campaign became a Democrat. He joined the prohibitionists when the party was organized and remained a "prohi" until 96, when he went to the Democrats. He was one of the best known lawyers in Michigan, and had a reputation for honesty, and in the days of Cooley, Christiancy and Cambell, acquired and ever since held, a large practice before the Michigan supreme court. Thought the prohibition and Democrat parties nominated him for state and county offices several times, he never held public office. He was a strong campaigner, however, taking the stump in every contest throughout the state.

Mr. Clute was married in 1861 to Ellen McPherson, the wife who survives him. Five children, also survive: William K., Lucy, Richard, Robert and Monroe. His living brothers and sisters are Oscar, now a Unitarian clergyman in California, James M., a marine engineer in New York, and Mrs. Delia Swift of Greenville.

The funeral will be attended on Sunday at 2:30 o'clock from the M.E. Church.

Ionia Daily Standard, 19 Apr 1901

In the death of Lemuel Clute there passes away an honest man. It is a remarkable fact that in the many high business, social and political relations and positions of responsibility throught which he passed, suspicion never breathed a calumny against his integrity. He closed an eventful life in an eventful period, without a blemish to destroy its symmetry. He detested sham in all its forms. Public life with him was not an ambition, but a duty, and wherever his lot was cast, his whole soul was enlisted.

As a practitioner at the bar his career was eventful and successful, but it was in his private life that he was the more fortunate. The circle of his friendship was wider, for it went beyond the lines of a set or a party. Personal integrity, a great kindness of heart, a wide human sympathy, and a pure home life were virtues that all accorded to him.

A stroke of paralysis a little over a year ago excited the solicitude of his friends, and no doubt turned his own thoughts towards the solemn hour. He did not, however, allow this danger to cloud his spirit or drive him from the activities of life. Indeed,, the last year of his life seemed to be quite full of gladness and labor. It seems to him better to expend the days that remained in useful labor rather than in vain complainings. He was a man of strong well power and refused to go to bed until Tuesday. He was unconscious since Wednesday.

Mr. Clute was born of Dutch Parentage in New York 66 years ago. He became a sailor at 20, and visited all parts of the globe including the Phillippines. At 24 he came to Ionia and went to school to his brother, Oscar Clute. He studied law with Hon. Albert Williams, and soon after opened an office of his own, had as a student, Hon. V.H. Smith, who afterward became a business partner. All have practiced law here ever since. The profession of the law was more to him than a livelihood. He was a thoughtful student of the philosophy of the law. He voted for Linclon, but in the Greeley campaign became a Democrat. He joined the prohibitionists when the party was organized and remained a "prohi" until 96, when he went to the Democrats. He was one of the best known lawyers in Michigan, and had a reputation for honesty, and in the days of Cooley, Christiancy and Cambell, acquired and ever since held, a large practice before the Michigan supreme court. Thought the prohibition and Democrat parties nominated him for state and county offices several times, he never held public office. He was a strong campaigner, however, taking the stump in every contest throughout the state.

Mr. Clute was married in 1861 to Ellen McPherson, the wife who survives him. Five children, also survive: William K., Lucy, Richard, Robert and Monroe. His living brothers and sisters are Oscar, now a Unitarian clergyman in California, James M., a marine engineer in New York, and Mrs. Delia Swift of Greenville.

The funeral will be attended on Sunday at 2:30 o'clock from the M.E. Church.