Gottfried Strauss was born in Germany around 1826. He immigrated to America and settled in New York City, New York, around 1851. He married a woman named Sophia, and their daughter Sophia was born around 1854. Strauss worked as a tavernkeeper. He enlisted in the Union army on December 6, 1861, and mustered in as a 2^nd lieutenant in Company A of the 103^rd New York Infantry on January 4, 1862. The regiment took part in the Battles of Antietam and Fredericksburg. Strauss was promoted to 1^st lieutenant on April 4, 1862, and he became a captain on November 1, 1862. He mustered out on June 10, 1863.