Charles Strother Stringfellow was born in Clarke County, Virginia, on March 3, 1837. He grew up in the area of Petersburg, and attended William and Mary College for several years, while teaching school. After finishing his degree, he went to law school at the University of Virginia, passed the bar in 1859, and began practicing law in Petersburg until the Civil War.

Stringfellow enlisted with Company E, 12th Regiment, Virginia Infantry, but quickly moved to a position as Assisant Adjuntant General. In early 1862, he was promoted to major. In April of 1862, he took a leave to marry Margaret Burwell.

After the war, he returned to Petersburg and law. Charles and Margaret had at least ten children. She died in 1892. Stringfellow actively worked as at lawyer until the early part of the 20th century, before retiring some time prior to 1910. He died in Richmond on August 12, 1912.