Born in Germany in 1884, Charles Frederick Jaeger, Sr. was a resident of Ferndale for 50 years. Census records show that he lived in Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1900. His WWI draft record indicated that he was a self-employed businessman that ran a coffee supply company in Highland Park, Michigan with a business partner. Over the years he lived Escanaba, Cass City, and the majority of his life in Ferndale. He built the home at 215 West Woodland street with his sons in 1929. He also built many houses in the metro-area as a contractor/builder. He was a lifetime member of the Ferndale Lodge 506, F and AM.

Mr. Jaeger was a husband, father, contractor and most notably an inventor. As an inventor, he had patented many items. He invented a power saw attachment that ran off the crankshaft of an automobile engine. He invented a water pump that was used by many fire departments. This water pump was also used by the agricultural industry to water farm land. He patented pre-fab house panels that could be manufactured at the factory and brought to the site and assembled as little in a day once the foundation was formed. One of his most notable inventions was the creation of rear coil springs for automobiles.

Mr. Jaeger's wife Mary passed away in January 1970. He had 4 sons (Howard, Edward, Louis, Charles, Jr.) and 1 daughter (Charlotte) and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Charles F. Jaeger passed away June 20, 1970 at Beaumont Hospital at the age of 86. He lived at 224 Wordsworth at the time of his death. A memorial service was held at Spaulding & Curtin funeral home, 500 West Nine Mile. Funeral services were held at Zion Lutheran Church and conducted by Rev. George Halsted. He is laid to rest at Oakview Cemetery in Royal Oak.