Biography
Van Clute, Wilton Morris (Chite, Wilton; Chute, Wilton Morris); b. March 21, 1897 (1899), Hopkinton, St. Lawrence, New York (December 21, 1899, Potsdam, New York); Father Poke Amos Clute; No prior military service; Graduated from Rochester High School; Attended the University of Rochester for 1 year; Single; Musician employed in the WPA Federal symphony orchestra, NYC; CP November 1933, Musicians Union AFL 1917-1932; Received Passport# 424691 on May 25, 1937 which listed his address as 457 West 123rd Street, NYC; Sailed June 2, 1937 aboard the Aquitania; Arrived in Spain on via Massanet on June 19, 1937 over Pyrenees; Trained at Tarrazona in Co. 2; Served with the XV BDE, Mackenzie-Papineau BN, Co. 4; Transferred September 10, 1937 to Lincoln-Washington BN, MG Co. (5th Co. during Ebro Offensive); Rank Soldado; WIA August 23, 1938 by artillery shrapnel in leg while the BN was at rest behind Sierra Caballs, Hill 666; In hospital Clinica Militar #2 Barcelona 1 week, Santa Coloma Farney del Selva 2 months, and Benicasim 5 months; Served at Fuentes de Ebro, Retreats, and Ebro Offensive; Returned to the US on December 20, 1938 aboard the Ausonia; d. December 30, 1968, Venice, Los Angeles, California, buried Verdugo Hills Cemetery, Tujunga, Los Angeles County, California. A humorous biographical sketch by Shisler(?) –Clute Musician – Cellist- Believes Pablo Casals greatest living musician. Ever since a member of Rochester symphony orchestra has had very strong desire to travel to Barcelona on pilgrimage to “master.” Hopes when we have been victorious and Spain is same to make this pilgrimage – and perhaps stay on as a member of Barcelona Symphony under CasalsA second sketch –
WILTON CLUTE: A New York cellist without a cello—and a long way from New York. He makes up for the loss by humming and whistling – together with Willis and Randall – somewhat sour versions of almost anything from Bach to Stravinsky. You must be careful what you do when he’s about because he’s Company Observer, which is probably a new name for a stool-pigeon.
Sibling: twin brother Walker Van Clute who was in WW I a 2nd LT Field Artillery, Camp Taylor, KY; and Sherman Clute.
Source: Pay; Cadre (under Clute), Figueres List; RGASPI (under Clute)Fond 545, Opis 6, Delo 544, ll. 89 (fiche, states with Mac-Paps); Opis 6, Delo 873, ll. 33 (under Cluet), and Clute, Wilton) ll. 35-43; Ancestry L-W; Tree Find-a-Grave# 5633485. Code A
Photographs: Wilton Clute (Chite), Lincoln-Washington Battalion, from Musicians Union #802, September 1937. The 15th International Brigade Photographic Unit Photograph Collection ; ALBA Photo011; ALBA Photo number 11-0605. Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives. Elmer Holmes Bobst Library, 70 Washington Square South, New York, NY 10012, New York University Libraries; and RGASPI Fond 545, Opis 6, Delo 873, ll. 35.
