Charles Rogan was born on February 3, 1858, near Ripley, Mississippi. Rogan and his parents moved Lexington, TX in 1862, and then Waco where he attended private school, later attending private school Giddings before entering the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas in 1876. He was one of the first six students who presented themselves for enrollment at Texas A&M on September 17, 1876.

Rogan was a lifelong and influential friend of Texas A&M and was often helpful in securing funds for it from the Legislature. He was president of the Former Students Association in 1918; a member of the Board of Directors of A&M from 1897-1899; and a member of the governing board of the Experiment Station, 1907-1920. He helped organize the Travis Country A&M Club and presided at its first meeting, July 12, 1924.