A highly decorated military man, he rose to the rank of Major in the Prussian army. Retired at the post of Cüstrin, where he had been joint commandant.

Born in Brandenburg. Married in 1729 to Mary Dorothea Von Jagow (Iagow) (1706- 1780). Together they had ten children, including Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, baron von Steuben.