Charles was the son of a German father named Henry Vatterott, and a Swiss mother, Dominica Joehl. Charles was born in Alton, Madison County, Illinois and was a first generation American. He was an early resident of St. Louis County, Missouri.

Charles married Margaret Elizabeth "Maudie" Harvey on 18 Sep 1901 in St. Louis. They were the parents of 11 children.

Charles worked in a shirt factory for many years and was eventually promoted to foreman. He went on to have a successful career designing, cutting and manufacturing men's shirts.

One of Charles and Maudie's daughters, Rosa Mary, went on to become a nun. She was then known as Sister Mary Hubert.

3 of the Vatterott sons, Charles, Jr., Harvey and Joseph became real estate developers and builders. They helped develop areas including St. Ann, Missouri in northwest St. Louis County. Another Vatterott son, E. Warren, also worked in the building business. Son, Paul Vatterott, became a doctor, and the youngest, Gregory Vatterott, was the owner of the St. Louis County Tile Company.

Charles was a charter member of DeSmet Council Knights of Columbus and Fourth Degree General Assembly.

His wife, Maudie, passed away in 1932.

Tragedy struck the family again in 1945. Charles' youngest son, Gregory, was killed in a plane crash at the age of 34 while on a business trip.

Charles lived until 1966. At the time of his death at St. Joseph's Hospital, he was 90 years, 5 months and 20 days old.

He was survived by 6 sons, Charles Vatterott, Jr., John Harvey Vaterott, Joseph Vatterott, Paul Vatterott, Glennon Vatterott and Warren Vatterott; 3 daughters, Margaret Riley, Constance Kelley and Sister Mary Hubert, S.S.N.D.; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Charles was preceded in death by his parents; 1 son, Gregory Vatterott; and 1 daughter, Rita Vatterott.

Visitation was held at Collier's Funeral Home on St. Charles Rock Road in St. Ann, Missouri. Funeral services were conducted there at 9:30 a.m. on the morning of 28 Jul 1966. A funeral Mass was conducted at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Bridgeton, Missouri.

Charles was buried next to his wife and daughter, Rita.

The family requested that memorials, if desired, be made to masses.

Children: 7 sons, 4 daughters.

Father of:
Charles Francis Vatterott II
John Harvey Vatterott, Sr.
Margaret Dominica Vatterott Riley
Constance Veronica Vatterott Kelley
Joseph Henry Vatterott, Sr.
Gregory Bernhard Vatterott
Rosa Mary Vatterott (Sister Mary Hubert)
Dr. Paul Barto Vatterott
Glennon Robert Vatterott
Rita Agnes Vatterott
Eugene Warren Vatterott