He was born in Christiania[1] as the son of Thorleif Schjelderup and Fredrikke Marie Caspary.
Through Ferdinand he was the grandfather of Olympic bronze medal ski jumper Thorleif Schjelderup.
in 1882, but concentrated on a business career as he in 1884 entered the family company Ludwigsen & Schjelderup.
He eventually became the single owner of the company, which was nationally leading in the grain and flour business.
[1] He was also the major shareholder of the forestry and timber company Enso-Gutzeit until 1919, and a co-owner of the iron- and steelware factory Christiania Spigerverk.