Charles de Clyne received his education in a school of forestry, becoming proficient as a civil engineer, mineralogist, and botanist. Following his course at this school, he also continued his studies under private tutelage. Like Carl Schurz, Oswald Ottendorfer, and other liberty-loving Germans, he became involved in the revolutionary movement of 1848 and was compelled to flee. He came to America, but soon after re-crossed the ocean for a sojourn in France. During this visit he was impressed by the superiority of the Belgian pavement, and securing a contract for its introduction in New York City, returned to America. He failed to realize from this project through complications with a partner, although the pavement was subsequently introduced in New York. He then entered upon the study of chemistry with the celebrated Dr. Liebig, and was so engaged when the Civil War began. He at once enlisted in the New York State volunteers as a member of the Third Battalion (artillery), which was subsequently re-organized as the Fifteenth Regiment Heavy Artillery. He remained in the service until the close of the war, taking part in many actions. He was commissioned Lieutenant and assigned to the staff of General Thomas D Doubleday; subsequently he was commissioned Captain, and by General Halleck was appointed Inspector-General of defenses south of the Potomac.

Upon the termination of the Rebellion he established a large manufactory of glue in Hudson County, N. J., which is still owned and conducted by his family. While an active member of the Republican party, he refused to become a candidate for public office, holding only some such unremunerative trusts of honor as school trustee, etc. He established his residence at New Durham.

December 13, 1855, he married Helen, daughter of Christian Klien, of North Bergen, Hudson County. Their children were Caroline (who became Mrs. Abram Kittel), born October 25, 1856; Theodore, born November 26, 18:17; Gustavus, born December 29, 1858; Emma. born March 31, 1861, who married Thomas Alcorn, of New Durham; Helen, born August 20, 1866, who married John Henry Outwater, of Washington Grove, Bergen County; and Emil and Clara (twins), born May 15, 1869. Clara, the last named, married Francis A. Kilgour, of Passaic, N. J. Of the three sons, Theodore, a grad- uate of Columbia College, is a veterinary surgeon, while Gustavus and Emil conduct the large business established by their father.