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Judge Jacob H. Clute was born in the town of Guilderland, Albany county, N. Y., March 16, 1827, and is descended from Holland Dutch stock. The Clutes are a very old Albany county family. Mr. Clute has always been a resident of Albany county except for a period of six months, when he was about nine years of age, during which time his parents lived in the town of Rotterdam, Schenectady county. He was born on a farm and has always retained his affection for the life of the agriculturist. He still has a well kept farm within a mile of his birthplace where he spends a portion of his time. Until he was fourteen years of age he attended the district school of his town and then went to Schenectady where he entered the old Schenectady Lyceum, an advanced grammar school. At the age of sixteen he began to teach school and study law.
He early displayed that aptitude for the law which has characterized his whole professional career and long before he was old enough to be formally admitted to the bar was winning suits in the justices courts. In 1851 he was admitted, and in December of that year opened a law office in Blunts building, now the Globe Hotel. From that time to the present he has steadily built up a large practice and has won for himself an enviable reputation at the Albany county bar.
In 1863 he received the nomination for county judge and was elected by a flattering majority. Four years later, when his term expired, his ability and integrity upon the bench were recognized by his fellow citizens, and he was again elected for another term of four years. After his second term expired Judge Clute confined himself to the practice of his profession and although numerous nominations were within his reach he steadily declined them. He has always been an earnest and reliable adherent to Democracy and has done appreciative service for the party. In 1889 he was again nominated and elected to be judge of Albany county for a term of six years, which term expired in 1895. He has been a familiar figure in various National, State and county conventions.
He has a pleasant city home as well as one in the country. Few men are better known or more highly respected. Since his third term as county judge. Judge Clute has attended strictly to the practice of his profession in his office in the Tweddle building. In April, 1896. he formed a partnership with Robert H. McCormic, Jr. under the firm name of Clute & McCormic.
