His mother was the daughter of William Winston Seaton, who, with his brother-in-law, Joseph Gales, owned and edited the National Intelligencer.

After graduating in June 1868[2] he served with the Pacific Fleet in 186869 under Admiral John Rodgers in screw sloop, Benicia, and fought in the Salt River near Seoul, Korea.

His sea tours took him to Alaska, Japan, and the Philippines in Saginaw, to the West Indies in Canandaigua, and on a world cruise on Swatara.

Following his appointment as executive officer of the battleship Massachusetts (BB-2), he participated in the American blockade of Santiago, Cuba, during the Spanish–American War and was advanced three numbers in rank "for eminent and conspicuous conduct in battle" during five engagements between May 31 and July 4, 1898.

Rear Admiral Schroeder was recalled to active duty in 1912 to prepare a new signal book, and again in World War I to serve as Chief Hydrographer and the Navy representative on the United States Geographic Board.