Tatgenhorst was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on August 19, 1883. He was educated in the public schools of Cincinnati. He was graduated from Cincinnati Law School in 1910.

He was admitted to the bar the same year and commenced practice in Cincinnati. He served as assistant city solicitor for Cincinnati 1914–19. He moved to Cleves, Ohio, in 1919 and continued the practice of law

Tatgenhorst was elected as a Republican to the Seventieth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Ambrose E.B. Stephens and served from November 8, 1927, to March 3, 1929. He was not a candidate for renomination in 1928. He again resumed the practice of his profession in Cincinnati.

Tatgenhorst was elected judge of the Ohio First District Court of Appeals on November 3, 1936. He served until February 8, 1937. He was the Ohio State bar examiner from 1938 to 1942. In January 1941, he became a member of the Ohio State Banking Board. He also served as director of Cincinnati Street Railway Co. and Sullivan Electric Co.

Tatgenhorst married Clara Streble. They had one son, Charles Robert Tatgenhorst, who joined his father's practice of law.

Tatgenhorst died in Cincinnati, Ohio on January 13, 1961. He was interred in Spring Grove Cemetery.

• United States Congress. "Charles Tatgenhorst Jr. (id: T000049)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

  This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

• Charles Tatgenhorst Jr. at Find a Grave