According to GMC: "Born in Ireland. Ancestry unknown at this time." However, his great-grandaughter Elizabeth Ann Chute wrote:

"Michael Chute is the first of our Chutes known in America. He arrived in about the late 1860's or 1870's. He changed his name to "Cute" for some unknown reasons. However, my grandson (she means grandfather) Thomas refused to change the name.

Michael Cute or Chute came from West Hartleypool [Hartlepool], England with his brother Christopher and two sons, Christopher and Thomas, maybe other children. Thomas was ill on the way to America and as a result he died at age 39 of "rheumatism of the heart" - as recorded on his death certificate. With my father's death we did not see the so-called "Cute" cousins in Rumford.

My great-grandfather Michael was a mechanic for the Rumford Baking Powder company in East Providence, a village of Rumford. He was provided with a home on the Rumford Company property for life. The house was removed a few years ago, but (illegible) believe a picture could be found. There are many people named "Cute" in Rumford ...

[His date of death] was not found on his gravestone, but I was told it was in 1921. He is in Section 16, Lot 142. Mass at St. Margaret's Church, funeral from his son's home (Christopher Chute) at 150 Newman Avenue, East Providence."

GMC records them as moving to Pennsylvania about 1874; the 1880 United States Census has this family still living in Maryland, however. Irish ancestry unknown at this time.

Edward's son, Michael John Chute's, version, submitted by Michael John's son Raymond James Chute in 1951: "Born in Ireland about 1852. Orphaned young as he told me - five brothers. He was taken to England about 12 years old, worked in coal mines near Newcastle. He was told when older that they went to Australia - never heard from them. He married Mary Ann Boyle, 8 children were born, all gone but me. Came to U.S. 1874, settled at Frank, PA. Died Elizabeth, PA 1926." Michael J. Chute, 323 33rd Avenue, McKeesport, PA.*

*It is not quite clear who went to Australia and was never heard from: his parents or his brothers. In the latter case, this is not entirely accurate; according to the 1880 Census, Edward's brother James Chute was living in the household. Assuming that the emigration to Australia occurred about the time he was taken to Newcastle, the emigration to Australia of his brothers would have ocurred around 1864. At the moment, the only group fitting that description of four brothers (or perhaps, in this case, a father and three brothers, would be the group arriving on the Morning Light in 1862, but there may be too many James's in this family, if this were the correct group (brother James, younger than Edward, lived in the household with Edward and Mary Ann):

Notes on Captain Richard Lyberton Chute and Margaret Scanlon Chute.

Ancestry is unknown at this time. Additional information provided by Cynthia Harrer Anderson, daughter of Florence Veronica Chute that Captain Richard Lyberton Chute was an English Army officer who died when John Joseph was an infant, and that after his death, his widow and son emigrated to Cincinnati, Ohio in 1849. The full text of her post from the Chute Ancestry Message Board on 28 May 1998 12:00 PM GMT:

"Capt. Richard Chute b:abt 1800 married Margaret Scanlon from Castle Island,County Kerry. Richard died abt 1838. Margaret came to U.S. 1849. Her son John Joseph Chute was born 1838 in Castle Island. John married Margaret F. Daley b:1829 Caherciveen, County Kerry. Her father was Martin Daley of Waterville and her mother was Margaret O'Connell, related to Daniel O'Connell. John Joseph Chute had John Winfield Chute who married Margaret Frances Feeley. Their daughter Florence was my grandmother."

The connection with the Irish Liberator Daniel O'Connell's family may prove to be useful:

Here's a historical footnote I cannot explain. One of the greatest nationalist leaders of Ireland is Daniel O'Connell, known as 'The Great Liberator", who came from the Tralee/Kerry area of Ireland. There is a collection of letters written by Mary O'Connell, wife of Daniel O'Connell, who in this example is writing to their son, Daniel, Jr. The book is, "My Darling Danny", part of the "Irish Narratives" series, Cork University Press, 1998. Here's the sentence that threw me for a loop:

"Your Grandmama is very well, but poor Aunt Chute is very bad. All our other friends in Tralee and Kerry are all well." (letter dated January 30, 1832, page 86).

Aunt Who??? Couldn't have been Mary Ann Bomford (already dead) or Theodora Blennerhassett (not yet a Chute). Some of Richard's sisters may have still been unmarried and would still have been "Chutes", although the words "poor Aunt Chute" sound like she - whoever "she" was - might have been old and teetering, and on her last legs at the time. Of Richard's aunts, Mary was off creating her own scandal, which might have been considered "very bad" at the time, but it sounds more that Mary O'Connell was referencing "Aunt Chute"s health status and not her scandalous behavior.

History tells us:

"In 1815 he (O'Connell) ridiculed the `beggarly Corporation of Dublin' and was challenged to a duel by a member, Norcot d'Esterre. D'Esterre was fatally wounded, and O'Connell, stricken by remorse, vowed never to fight again and settled a pension on the widow. He was later to say that `not for all the universe contains' would he `consent to the effusion of a single drop of human blood, except my own.'

Frances Blennerhasset Chute married Charity Norcott D'Esterre ROBERTS (logic suggests the two are related) - but that doesn't really explain "Aunt Chute", mainly because Charity, at least, would have been a generation younger.

Are there any Irish/Listowel Chutes out there who have some inkling of the Chute relationship with the O'Connells during this time period? Something else makes this even more intriguing: the infamous Penal Laws were in effect at the time. The O'Connells were obviously Catholic. The Chutes were just as obviously Protestant. It was against both British and Church laws to intermarry. That didn't mean that people didn't do so; just that they certainly didn't do it very often, and it would have been an enormous risk to do so. (In fact, there are records of Irish Chutes emigrating to the United States because there was freedom here to marry outside of their faith).

The relationship between the Irish patriot Daniel O'Connell family and the Kerry, Ireland Chute family may have been only partially solved: thanks to the contributions of Cynthia Harrer Anderson, a direct descendant of Richard Lyberton Chute and Frances Margaret Daley Chute. Frances Margaret Daley Chute is the daughter of Martin Daley and Margaret O'Connell - Margaret, of course, being the Daniel O'Connell relative. The drawback is that Margaret Scanlon Chute, married to Richard Lyberton Chute, could not have been the "Aunt Chute" mentioned in the letter: the letter was written in 1832, and the marriage of Frances Margaret Daley and John Joseph Chute didn't take place until 1857, in Cincinnati, Ohio. However, it does raise the possibility that these two families knew each other already and may have even been related in some fashion before the marriage of the Richard Lyberton Chute family line and the McConnell line. So, researching the Daniel O'Connell genealogy may help provide some clues to the lineage of Richard Lyberton Chute.

Richard Lyberton Chute has been described as "an English Army Officer" - not a description that would easily fit the Chute Hall Chutes (although it might), who were certainly part of the Irish Protestant Ascendancy group, but not what might be termed "English". Richard Lyberton Chute may have originally come from one of the British Chute families, but the research continues.

Another avenue of research might be the "Richard Lyburton" or Libberton family which comes out of Scotland, as a source or inspiration for his name, particularly on his mother's side. There was a great deal of movement between Ireland and Scotland, both in the military and in the Scots Prebyterian clergy, at the time.

GMC: "Also lived in San Rafael and San Jose."

The brevity of my Grandfather's comment didn't reflect his genuine enjoyment in his correspondence with Allan Chute - Allan was an excellent correspondent, and his personality shone through his letters. On both poignant and historical notes, the letters also describe son Arleigh's battle with cancer, and the new and exciting (at the time), experimental technique being used by the University of California at Berkley to fight it: chemotherapy.

It was a pleasant surprise and interesting letter I received from you last month. I did not know there were so many Chute families around the nation, or that there had been any extensive work done on their genealogies. The 1894 book is unknown to me.

My information on our family branch does not go very far back. My father was born in Winona, Minn. In 1862 and shortly afterward his parents removed to Rochester, Minn., where the family resided the rest of the years.

He had four brothers:

They are all deceased with the exception of my Aunt Nell and none has left any offspring bearing the name of Chute, excepting my father. And I happen to be the only one of his offspring carrying on the family name.

My grandfather John Chute was born at Castle Island, Kerry, Ireland in 1837 and his father (this is a little mixed) was Capt. Richard Chute, according to my father. But an aunt of mine, my father�s sister-in-law, in later years told me this English army officer�s name was Lyberton Chute. Possibly it might have been Richard Lyberton or vice versa. My father and his immediate relatives were very anti-British and my father decried most vehemently the Lyberton name. However, he did agree that he was a retired officer who had settled in Castle Island and married Margaret Scanlon, a native there. And his widow emigrated to Cincinnati, O, in 1849. There my grandfather grew up and married Margaret Daly, a native of Cahervicene, Kerry, Ireland. Her father was Martin Daly and her mother Margaret O�Connell, a cousin of Daniel O�Connell of the Irish patriot.

An interesting sidelight, my great grandfather, Richard or Lyberton Chute, and my grandfather James Feely, both came out of the �lake country� of Cumberland, England.

My grandfather Chute learned the meat packing business in Cincinnati, engaged in same in Rochester for himself and did quite well. He made investments in farming operations at the same time, but died quite suddenly from so-called �galloping consumption�, the result of frostbitten lungs. This latter injury occurred one cold winter�s night while he assisted in combating a local fire. He did in his 38th year and the liquidation of his involved activities left the family badly off.

My father left his home in 1880 to work on the railroad in the �bad lands� of the Dakotas. From there to Montana (with the railroad) in 1883; and from there to San Francisco in 1884. Moved to San Jose in 1891 at the time of his marriage. To Berkley in 1901 where he resided the rest of his life. He was an electrician originally with the beginnings of the Telephone company here on the West Coast. Then city electrician of San Jose until 1900 when he went with the Gamewell Fire Alarm Company of New York, representing them here on the Coast the rest of his working career He enjoyed marvelous health all his life right up to the end at 82 years of age.

So much for the Chute background.

I work for the San Francisco Naval Shipyard here in the city as their labor distribution statistician. Spent my formative years on the range in the Sierras where my father purchased a cattle ranch when I was 18. Was fire warden in the Contra Costa Hills back of Berkeley for 13 years for the City of Berkeley. I am a veteran of the first World War and am a very active member of the American Legion.

My daughter is a teletypist with the Pacific Tel. & Tel. Co. My two sons are finishing high school and barring military service, plan to go on to college, one to major in electronic engineering; the other in law.

My wife is of English background, born in Victoria, Canada and (one of those interesting curiosities that occur in life) she was delivered at birth by a midwife named Chute. On her father�s side is Richards; on her mother�s, Young.

This seems to about cover it all so far as I am able. I shall be delighted to answer any further questions you may need in your interesting work.

It has been a pleasure to hear from you and look forward to an answer.

..."Many thanks for your very friendly letter of the 13th. You extended me news of real interest. And you generously praised my state of health, but I wonder, when I read about your trip back from New York through the blizzard, snowdrifts, ice, et al. I can see that you do not have to take a back seat when it comes to vigor.

I have often reflected on, and somewhat with envy (because I regard myself as quite an outdoor type) the "easterners" who live out their lives with apparent ease in that extreme climate; the severity of which so surprised the colonists, coming as they did to latitudes nearly a thousand miles south of their homeland.

On this theme, for the past fifteen years as subscriber to Yankee Magazine I feel I've come to know the New England area quite well, not only the beauty of its countryside, but its severe winters. And I marvel at the normal ease with which everyone there seems to take it in stride. Also of course, I am very well versed in the climatic extremes of the upper Mississippi Valley from first hand accounts of my father and his relatives. Yet I have had the privilege of beholding this era in a beautiful light in Gene Stratton Porter's novel The Harvester. With the artist's psychic involvement, she saw its marvelous intrinsic beauty in all seasons.

We have just come to the end of six weeks more or less of continuous rains. Very 'unusual' (the California characteristic) that left three times the normal precipitation for this time-to-date. Believe it or not this 'unusual' feature of California's very mild climate (and at which out-of-staters often poke fun) is really its only constant phenomenon. I have experienced two winters in which it rained continually for three straight months (1910 and 1936 or '7). On the other extreme, one could risk their life savings on a bet that it would not rain here on the Fourth of July or any day in July for that matter. Yet it poured on that date in 1916 and back only three or four years ago!

My wife and I have just concluded a very nice holiday period with friends and American Legion activities. Christmas was exceptionally nice for us at my daughter's home in Fremont. All the immediate relatives on both sides were present. It was a joy to the four grandchildren. The only 'fly in the ointment' (or, as Winston Churchill put it, with his gift for pungent and incisive speech, 'a maggot in the apple') is son Arleigh's health predicament.

After about a month's nice recovery from all the surgery, things started to "run" again -- with cancerous indications. So his doctor specialist turned him over to the University of California's medical center in San Francisco, which is the Berkley campus's medical college. They put him on a new treatment - injection of special drugs (chemotherapy they call it), and it is really beginning to produce results. Very slowly to be sure, but the suppuration, the severe head pains, the constant expectoration from the throat are all receding. So we have hopes but I know it will take a long time.

In the meantime, the Picker X-Ray Company have been wonderful. They are still carrying him on the minimum maintenance salary, and for Christmas he received a check for $150 with a letter from not his immediate supervisor, but the top company executive over the latter, stating this was strictly an Xmas present in appreciation. So I ask pardon for my fatherly pride thereon.

I have obtained the data you require from my cousin Molly (Uncle Frank) but not yet from my cousin Marge in New York (Uncle Zeb); an am trying to get an answer from Aunt Margaret's children via two old addresses and cousin Marge.

Well, it has been a pleasure to hear from you with your Christmas letter and its interesting family news. Have no doubt but that you had a joyful time through the holidays. With the best of wishes to you and yours for the coming New Year.

It was a delight to hear from you again. I had been thinking of you occasionally in the past year or so -- wondering how the "Chute" project was progressing, etc., and your health, which is often a problem as we get into the later years.

But I would judge you have no health troubles, from the active life you are leading in your professorship and the attendant round of activities that usually go with same. May I compliment you.

As to myself I am still Asst. Chief Timekeeper at the Navy Yard. And my health remains good at 69, though of course I tire more now and dislike to go out too much at night. I am very active in veteran activities here which takes me out a great deal at night. A past commander of my legion post and perennial adjutant (secretary). Also after being secretary in the Forty & Eight for some years they plopped me into the 'chairs' next to the top and so I suppose I'll be Chef de Gare, as we term it, next year. But I am finding the nights out it involves a growing chore.

However, the friendships and contacts with leading businessmen and political figures which I have enjoyed through the years have been very rewarding to me -- I suppose in part because I am one of the littler men in life (vocationally).

In the last correspondence we had I believe you requested more data on the distaff side of my father's relatives. At that time I was not in correspondence with any of those involved, but two years ago my cousin in New York (my uncle Zebulon's daughter) accompanied by her husband paid us a surprise and very pleasant visit. She was in regular correspondence with her three cousins in Chicago (my Aunt Margaret's daughters) and her two cousins in So. Cal. (my Uncle Frank's daughters). So I could now write them for whatever data you may want.

My children are doing fairly well for our background. Alice married a Marine on his return from the Korean War. She had known him their high school days. He is with the Pacific Gas & Electric Co., moving along in the map department. Four(!) children make it a little rough for them at times, which "grandpa" has to assuage from time to time.

Arleigh has totaled up 3 1/4 years of college (electronic engineering) with a two-year spate off in New York sandwiched in. One year as Asst. Director Henry George School (land tax - in which I got him interested) and one year with Sperry Gyro on Long Island as a technical writer. Now he is with the Beckman Co. (electronic devices) near here in Palo Alto; again as a technical writer and doing fine.

Richard reached 3 years in college before he gave up. He had gotten behind in grammar school in basic fundamentals in english and math and like many students caught in this situation (as I have read about) his high school and college work became increasingly difficult. I have claimed that when I walked out of C.C.M.A. (James Lick endowed High School here in in S.F.) which was the end of my formal education, I had a better basic grounding than either of the boys have acquired to date.

However, Dick grew up big (6'1", 190 lbs), was a football star in both high school and college; also a boxing champion and I was quite proud of him. After two years in the Army, he got married, bought into a T-V parnership which did not work out successfully, but learned enough electronics to obtain and hold quite successfully a job as a technician with the Sicular X-Ray Co., here in S.F.

So the children are at least fairly launched on their long way into the cyclic experience of this ephemeral world, which so many of the profound ponderers of the mysteries regard as some kind of illusion comparable to the dream phenomenon of sleep. Be that as it may, my own experiences with such transcendental reading can be no better put than Omar Khayam's "but evermore came out by the same door where I went in."

Well I hope I have not dilated too much on personal family history but you have written such friendly personal letters yourself than I am moved to similar response.

By the way, if you are making a visit out this way at any time I would be most happy to have you visit with us. In fact may I invite you to the hospitality of my home for a few days. My wife and I live alone now in a nice six room flat and have plenty of room.

Again very pleased to hear from you and with

Best regards

Attached Chute Family Data worksheet:

Whom didAlice Beverly marry?
Haldon E. Nichols
Where do they live? 5514 Alaska Drive, Concord, Calif.
Their childrens' names? (1) Eileen Virginia, (2) Marlene Donna, (3) Donn Robert, (4) Karen Lorraine

Whom did Arleigh Benjamin marry?
(Not yet)
Where do they live? 677 Fremont Street, Menlo Park, Calif.

Whom did Richard Allan marry?
Dianne Kunstmann
Where do they live? 85 Caselli Avenue, San Francisco 14

What is Arleigh's occupation? Technical writer.
What is Richard's occupation? X-Ray technician.
Are you still with the Naval Shipyard? Yes.
Do Charles and Mary still live with you? NO
Charles: Veteren's Home, Yountville, Calif.
Mary: 77 Herman Street, San Francisco, Calif.

At last I have garnered all the information possible to meet your last request. The only item lacking is, my Aunt Margaret's children. Both my cousins, Margaret Massman and Molly St. George have had no correspondence with them in over twenty years. So I fear it is a lost cause.

My son Arleigh is beginning to show definite improvement now in his affliction with cancer. For the first time, the doctors were able to report two weeks ago that the cancer is "under control". All sloughing sores have healed; the troublesome saliva drooling has ceased and he can swallow without pain -- permitting a return to more solid food. Also gaining in weight. So we are all quite cheered.

The Picker X-Ray people have treated him wonderfully. Still carrying him on $337.50 a month. They are planning to open a Pacific Coast branch this coming April 'down the peninsula' (south of San Francisco) at Palo Alto and told my son they have him in mind.

I don't recall if I told you -- he established their documents and technical writing department at Cleveland, on the recommendation of the Sicular X-Ray Co. here in San Francisco, for whom he had worked about two years. He had plenty of experience with this division of activity, working for Sperry Gyro on Long Island, N.Y. and Beckman both in Menlo Park and Fullerton, Calif. So I feel his future is assured if he can surmount his health problem.¹

Was thinking of you, in reading the news accounts of the record breaking blizzard striking through your region. You had told me what a pleasure it was, now that you are retired, to relax in the comfortable warmth of home and just look out at it.²

Along the same lines, but in terms of our milder climate (temperature-wise), we are experiencing unprecedented rainfall that is flooding in all directions and causing thousands of dollars of damage. All last night and continuing today it has set in again with an unbelievable downfall even for a Californian. Apparently, the weather cycle is in a state of distorted aberration.

You thought you might visit California this year. If you do I would like for you to visit us, also stay with us (we have ample accommodation) for a bit if it fits in with your plans.

Looking forward to hearing from you again at your convenience,

P.S. Let me know the title and publisher of your book. My son Arleigh is interested in it.

Arleigh B. married whom?

He married Margaret (Peggy) Menagh - no children. Your reference to the Clevelend phone book: Arleigh went to work for the Picker X-Ray Corp. in July, 1964. Is still being carried by them on a minimum maintenane salary. Present address: 2656 Van Ness Avenue, S.F.

Richard A.
Married Dianne Kunstmann; still at 37 Carlson Ave., San Anselmo; no children.

Alice B.
Still in Concord, Cal., No more children since Karen.

Uncle Frank
Married Mary Connell. Had two girls:
Mary (Molly); married Martin St. George
Elizabeth (Bessie) married Shirley Green.

Uncle Zebulon Z.
Married Anna Cecilia Miles; had three children:
Margaret: married George Massman
Frank; deceased; unmarried
Dorothy married Frank Peischel.

Aunt Margaret
I have been unable to aise any lead towards locating her children; wrote to this very old addresss: Eileen Doornek, 8134 So. Honore Street, Chicago. No answer; letter not even returned so far. I believe I gave you the followiung, but will repeat for whatever value it may have: Aunt Margaret married James Mahoney; four children. (1) Dorothy (deceased), no children, (2) Donald, (3) Eileen, (4) Priscilla

Ancestry unknown at this time; however, clues can be found in the 1880 United States Census:

The full 1880 United States household census record is:


Andrew Chute, 47, Farmer, b. Ireland
Marie Chute, 36, Keeping house, b. Ireland
Elizabeth Chute, 8, born Wisconsin
Kate Chute, 6, born Wisconsin
Anna M. Chute, 3, born Wisconsin
Thomas F. Chute, 1, born Wisconsin
Edward Haggy, relation to Andrew "other", farm laborer, born Wisconsin, father born New York, mother born Ireland
Mary Campbell, sister, widowed, 45, b. Ireland, housework
Census Place: Farmington, Washington, Wisconsin
Family History Library Film 1255450
NA Film No. T9-1450
Page Number 360B

May have been known only as "Thomas".

MASON CITY -- Gerald Wilke is as wiry at age 79 as he was when he ran with his "gang" of friends as a boy in Mason City's Midland Heights area. But Wilke, who weighed less than 120 pounds when he entered the Navy at 17, speaks with authority regarding the Mason City Area Veterans Monument. His name and that of his son, Kevin, and father-in-law, Frank McCahem, are engraved on one of 10 impressive black granite stones in Central Park.

The monument, honoring veterans with Mason City connections, will be dedicated this morning during Mason City's annual Veterans Day ceremonies. It includes 2,338 names.

"I'm so proud of it," said Wilke, a Navy gunner's mate aboard the USS Iowa during World War II. "It's a memento for all veterans. It's one wonderful piece-of-art work."

"It's a great thing," said Doug Waychus, a co-chairman of the Veterans Monument Task Force Committee. "You talk to a lot of the veterans - they've wanted something like this in their hometowns for years and years."

The Task Force Committee began meeting weekly more than a year ago. Mason City's Park Board approved construction of the monument in Central Park in February. When the City Council voted in June not to approve a final agreement, Waychus expressed his anger at the process. After discussion, approval was granted a week later. Ground was broken on Aug. 19.

Waychus said the monument was built to raise public awareness of veterans who have served, inspire young people, and help "erase some of the generation gap" between Vietnam-era veterans and those who served in World War II and Korea.

"It's an honor for a Vietnam veteran like me to be able to show them that we're good veterans," he said. "I think it's given them another look at us: 'By God, we can get things done.' But it's a tribute to all veterans."

The monument was designed by Bergland and Cram Architects of Mason City. Larry Elwood Construction was the general contractor. Blazek Electric and Bitker's Tree Service also were contracted. It was paid for by $100 donations from veterans and their families and friends in 34 states. The names of about 300 veterans killed in action were included at no charge. There are 12 granite stones (including two "dedication" stones), five white granite benches engraved with the five service emblems, and American and POW/MIA flags. The stones were provided by Braham Monument Co. of Braham, Minn. They are engraved with the veterans' names and service branches, plus patriotic quotes and reflections.

"I'm just awed," Waychus said. "I'm humbled to be in a position to be a part of something that we did for them. When one of those guys comes up and pats me on the back and says, 'That's beautiful, Doug,' it don't get no better than that."

Here are the names of veterans are engraved on the Mason City Area Veterans Monument, with military branches (POW is prisoner of war, KIA is killed in action):

GMC: "3 daughters".

Obituary, Lucille Kathryn Chute Connelly

"MASON CITY - Lucille Kathryn "Tede" Connelly, 91, of Mason City, died Thursday (Feb. 10, 2000) at Good Shepherd Health Care Center, Mason City. A funeral Mass will be held at noon Tuesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 302 Fifth Street S.E., with the Rev. Carl A. Ries officiating. Burial will be held in Elmwood-St. Joseph Cemetery, Mason City. Visitation will begin at 4 p.m. Monday at Hogan Bremer Colonial Chapel, 126 Third Street N.E., with a scriptural prayer service beginning at 7 p.m. Memorials may be made to Crisis Intervention Center in memory of Lucille K. Connelly.

Lucille Kathryn "Tede" Connelly was born March 2, 1908, in Mason City, the daughter of Thomas and Nora (Kelley) Chute. She was born and raised in Mason City and graduated from St. Joseph High School. She married Cedric N. Connelly on Aug. 1, 1934, in Mason City. She worked at Aldens and Barons Department Store for many years and then was office manager at Industrial Clean Towel Company until retiring. She enjoyed playing bridge, cooking and baking. She was a wonderful seamstress and an avid sports fan. She especially loved spending time with her family. She was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Survivors include two daughters, Karen White, Mason City and Phyllis Hugeback and her husband, Verne, Rochester, Minn.; one son-in-law, Jerry Birdsall, Denver, Colo.; six grandchildren, Michael White and his wife, Ann, of Madison, Wis., Patrick White and his wife, Darla, of Meservey, Lisa Weimer and her husband, Kent, Chantilly, Va., Mark Hugeback and his wife, Tina, Rochester, Minn., Timothy Birdsall and Teresa Birdsall, both of Denver, Colo.; six great-grandchildren; one sister, Virginia Juhlin, Mason City; two brothers, Donald Chute of Phoenix, Ariz., and Robert Chute, of Marion; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one daughter, Judi Birdsall; two sisters; and six brothers.

According to descendant Julian S. Chute, the father of James Chute (name unknown*) was originally named "Tuite"; arrived from Ireland, and changed the family name to "Chute". If his recollection of family history is in fact correct, it may be necessary to research the "Tuite" family line, in order to pursue this line further.

According to Tuite family researchers, the pronunciation of "Tuite" is "Chute", so it also may be a spelling variation.

*Update::

That James is very likely the son of Thomas and Rose and the brother of Andrew and Bridget was discovered in the research of the Andrew Chute line, which moved south to Bradford, Pennsylvania. For details on the research and its conclusions, see Andrew Chute's Notes Section.

Another James and Ann Chute was located in Utica, New York, in the 1880's. It may be the same family, but as the information provided does not coincide with this data provided on this family, I am keeping the two separated until further information is known.

At some point, James, his brother and father were located in Wisconsin and drafted into the Wisconsin Infantry for the duration of the Civil War. See each individual for military history links. As all three of them had different residences listed, it is possible that they traveled to Wisconsin initially and then returned to the east coast, settling in New York. More research is needed.