De GRUYTER: Correctly "deGruyter."

Otto de Gruyter is the first of this name in Roane County. He was born in Moers Dusseldorf, Rhine Prussia in the year 1852; came to America 1870.

Two brothers of Otto, came to America long before he came. Martin, the father of Julius de Gruyter, of Charleston, was here and served in the Civil War, which ended in 1865. The other brother of Otto and Martin settled in Covington, Kentucky, where he was in the job printing business awhile then ran a drug business.

Otto returned to Germany, stayed a year and came back to Charleston, West Virginia, in 1873. He was an apprenticed watchmaker in his youth and a skilled clock and watch man all his life. Near Osbornes Mills he met with Rhoda J. Hill, daughter of Henry Hill, of a pioneer family of that name --distinguished for their pink blond complexions-- and on the 4th day of October 1885, Otto de Gruyter and Rhoda J. were married, his age 33, her age not found. They settled in the Town of Spencer about 1912; here Otto died. To them were born one son and two daughters. Their names, Olin F. de Gruyter and Iona and Eunice de Bruyter; they own and manage a jewelry store in Spencer, carrying also chinaware and books.

Olin F. de Gruyter married Maud M. Hersman on the 7th of September, 1913, his age 26, her age 27. She is the daughter of Hon. Alexander M. Hersman, one time Delegate for Roane in the State Legislature.


Source: History of Roane County, West Virginia, 1774-1927 William H. Bishop, Esq. p 504-505
Submitter: Sandy Spradling, November 28, 1999