Charles Graefe was born on February 4, 1845 in Saxony, Germany. He came to Sheboygan when he was six years of age. He joined Company H of the Wisconsin 26th Infantry. He was wounded by a bullet to the right arm at the battle of Resaca. This wound incapacitated his arm for life. He was confined to the hospital for eleven months before he was released from service. On June 24, 1869 Charles married Eva Scherr. They lived in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, and had nine children.
Charles died April 7, 1928 in Sheboygan and was buried at the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery on April 10, 1928.
Charles died April 7, 1928 in Sheboygan and was buried at the Trinity Lutheran Cemetery on April 10, 1928.