Charles was born Carl Johann Friedrich Schröder, in or near the little town of Marnitz, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Germany.
    At the age of 15 he, along with his parental family, left Germany for America -May 15, 1853. Three years later they were farming in Clayton county, Iowa. Charles was married to Augusta Charlotte Marquardt there in Feb. 1866. In 1868 Charles & Augusta, plus their two youngest children, came to Brown county, Ks. where they permanently settled.

"Schrader One of the Countys 'Old Timers'
Tho he arrived here from Germany almost penniless, Charles Schrader, of the Bethel neighborhood northeast of here, has acquired a comfortable income. He now possesses 1,200 acres of Brown county land, the tracts situated within six miles of each other. Mr. Schrader came to the United States when he was 16 years old, in a sail boat which was six weeks in crossing the Atlantic--the ocean Lindbergh crossed in less than 33 hours. In 1868 Schrader came to Brown county from Iowa, in a covered wagon pulled across the prairie by oxen. He is almost 90 years old now, his birthday is Saturday. During the early days of Kansas he lived as other settlers did, an existence depending on the strength of his arm, the skill of his trigger finger on the hunting rifle. Thru the years he has had an aversion to having his picture taken but relatives have coaxed him into a studio, have several pictures of the old gentleman. It is believed that, besides being one of the oldest men in the county, perhaps the oldest in his own community, Mr. Schrader is one of the earliest settlers in his neighborhood. He has raised eight children, six of whom are living." -from the Friday Aug 12, 1927 Hiawatha Daily World.

OBITUARY:
Charles Schrader was born near Berlin, Germany, Aug. 13, 1937. With his parents he came to America in 1853, coming west as far as Iowa, making their home in Clayton county, where in 1865 he was married to Augusta Charlotte Marquardt. In 1888[sic;1868] they came to Brown county, Kans., made a home for themselves, family, 5 miles north, 2½ miles east of Hiawatha. There were 11 children, three of whom died a number of years ago, also Mrs. Schrader, who died March 19, 1894; three grandchildren also preceded him in death. For 60 years Mr. Schrader has been an honored citizen of this community, always interested in the advancement of every cause for the good of the community. He died at the old home where he had lived for 60 years on Dec. 5, 1928, at the ripe age of 91 years, six months. Those who survive him are Christianna Schrader, Clara Anna, and Irvin H., of the home, Henry, William, Orlande H., Mrs. Mabel Mauslein, Mrs. Mina Warren; 15 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren. A short funeral service was conducted at the home by Rev. L. L. Hassenpflug at 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon and at 2:30 o'clock from Mt. Zion Methodist church, services conducted by Rev. L. L. Hassenpflug, assisted by Rev. Brown. The grandsons acted as honorary body bearers. They were: Paul, Leslie, Floyd, William Schrader, Lawrence, Lorimer, Dana, Forrest Mauslein. The active body bearers were: C. M., Harry Jones, Fred Hillyer, Willis Burns, J. M. Parker, Evan Evans, W. E. Justice, J. W. Walters, T. T. Bradshaw. Burial was in Mt. Zion cemetery.
-from the 12/14/1928 edition of the Brown County World.