b. 04/07/1837 Lindberg, Bavaria, Germany. d. 27/01/1921 San Diego, California.
DATE OF MOH ACTION: 20/10/1869 Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona Territory.
While listed repeatedly as being born in Lindberg (which is in Bavaria) and also Hanover both in present-day Germany, it is more likely he was born in Lüneburg in the Kingdom of Hanover in 1837. “Lüneburg” is pronounced “Lümborg” in Low German and influenced by the Germanic umlaut or linguistic mark. English speakers may have heard and written it as “Lindberg” or “Lindbergh”. Later records cite July 4, 1837, as his birthday. His parents’ names are unknown.
Charles Schroeter came to America in 1860 on the German passenger ship Bremen. The ship had picked up passengers at Hanover and Bremen, in Germany, before arriving in New York City on November 12, 1860. He was listed as a merchant. The ship then proceeded to New Orleans.
He found work in New Orleans then moved upriver to St. Louis before hostilities broke out. After his service in the Civil War and his career in the military, he opened “a retail confectionery and cigar store” with “E.L. Hoopes” after moving to Buffalo, New York, in 1894. He was cited in an 1898 Erie County biography as “a successful and prominent citizen, with a long and honorable career, his worth has been duly recognized.”
He was noted about 5 feet 6 inches tall, weighed 135 lb, with light brown eyes, black hair, and a fair complexion. His military records vary from 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 6+1⁄4 inches in height. His eye color varies from hazel, to light brown in those same records. His complexion was always listed as fair or ruddy. The variations in the records are not uncommon in the 1800s since each individual officer processing the enlistment had no standard manner, place, light or equipment to make accurate measurement.
Charles G. Schroeter reportedly never married or had any children. In 1918, he moved to San Diego, California. He died there on January 27, 1921, at age 83.
MOH CITATION:
Gallantry in action.
