Based on information from the Germany Baptisms Database on Familysearch.org, Basil DEGER was born to Peter and Maria Anna (EISELER) DEGER on June 13, 1826 in Glatt, Hohenzollern, Prussia. He was baptized in the Catholic church in Glatt on the same day. Based on his headstone inscription, (died April 8, 1874 at age 47Y 3M 25D), he was born December 14, 1826 . If the June 13 date for his birth is used, his age at death would be 47Y 9M 25D, an exact 6 month difference from what appears on his headstone, suggesting a simple computation or transcription error when the headstone was carved. Basil immigrated to the U.S. in 1850, leaving on the St. Denis in Havre, France, arriving on November 22, 1850 in New York. He was travelling with is brother Joseph and Scholastika (Spitznagel) DEGER and their children, and Ferdinand SPITZNAGEL.

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St. Denis
The U.S. ship St. Denis was built at New York by Westervelt & Mackey, and launched in 1848. 959 tons; 161 ft 4 in x 36 ft 1 in x 21 ft 2 in (length x beam x depth of hold). She spent her entire career of 8 years sailing in the Second Line of packets between New York and Le Havre. During this period, her westbound passages averaged 35 days, her fastest being 25 days, her longest 52 days. On 6 January 1856, 2 days out of New York for Le Havre, she foundered 180 miles east of Sandy Hook, Capt. Follansbee and 34 passengers and crew losing their lives; both mates and 9 seamen escaped in a boat.

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Basil DEGER was a listed as a stonecutter on the 1870 Federal Census, residing in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio (Ward 8). He died on April 8, 1874 in Dayton. A brief death notice published in the Dayton Daily Journal on April 10 (Volume XI, iss. 203: pg. 1, col. 6) states: "DEGER - Yesterday morning at six o'clock, Basill Deger, aged 47 years. Funeral Friday morning at 9 o'clock, from 515 Warren Street. Interment, St. Henry's."

The ground for St. Henry's Cemetery was used as a burial ground by the Roman Catholic Church until 1872. When land was purchased for Calvary Cemetery, Basil Deger's remains were moved to Section 1, Lot 226. Later, he was removed from that plot to Section 1, Lot 82. That lot, owned by Theodore DEGER, contains Basil and Veneranda, as well as Theodore and Catherine DEGER.

Basil DEGER was married to Veneranda (last name unknown) about 1851. Veneranda was born February 1832 in Baden, Germany. Some sources list her as Feronda or Fanny. The death certificate for Theodore Deger lists his mother's name as Veronica YACKLEY, however that has not been corroborated by other evidence. After Basil died, Veneranda was married to Charles PASOLD on September 23, 1877. She died after the 1900 census, presumably in Dayton.

Basil DEGER and Veneranda had the following children:

i. John A. DEGER (see below for family details).
ii. Lydia DEGER was born about 1853 in Ohio. She appeared on the census in 1880 in Dayton, Ohio in the home of the WEIKEL family, her occupation listed as dressmaker.
iii. Theodore DEGER was born October 1, 1855 in Dayton, Ohio. He married Catherine PFEIFFER. He died on December 28, 1935 in Dayton, and is buried adjecent to his parents (no headstone).
v. Elizabeth DEGER was born February 24, 1858 in Dayton, Ohio. She married James MCCAIN, Elizabeth died on September 17, 1941 in Dayton.
v. Herman A. DEGER.

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It's interesting to note the number of seemingly unrelated DEGER families that migrated to the area around Dayton, Ohio. The family of Michael and Catherine (SELL) DEGER ran a bakery for many years on the corner of Brown and Patterson Street, approximately three blocks from the home Basil and Veneranda DEGER, yet there has been no identified connection between the two families.

The name of Marshall Larry DEGER is prominent in Dodge City, Kansas history. He was an early-day saloon-owner, first city marshall, and one-time mayor of Dodge City. Born in Ohio in 1845, he has been described as a "300 pound behemoth" of a man. The Dodge City Times from June 9, 1877 reported an incident as Bat Masterson acosted Marshal DEGER after DEGER had felt it necessary to administer "a few paternal kicks in the rear" during an arrest. Masterson took exception to DEGER and wound his arm around Marshal DEGER's neck and let the prisoner escape. Deger fought with Bat, calling upon bystanders to take Masterson's gun and assist in the arrest. The gun was taken, but Masterson wouldn't give up. Eventually, DEGER drew his gun and he beat Masterson over the head until the blood flew....eventually the city dungeon was reached and in he went. In 1876, DEGER was joined by Wyatt Earp as deputy. In the 1877 election for County Sheriff, DEGER was opposed by Bat Masterson, losing to him by just three votes. By 1892, DEGER owned and operated Deger Lumber Company in Velasco, Texas. Does the name of Marshall DEGER belong alongside the DEGERs of Dayton? One might think so, but the proof has not been found.

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John A. DEGER was born on October 10, 1851 in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio, to Basil and Veneranda DEGER. He was listed as a machinist's apprentice on the 1870 census, listed with his parents and siblings. He was listed as a toolmaker foreman for The Smith and Vaile Company in the Dayton City Directory between 1888 and 1890. He appeared on the census in 1900 at 91 Zigzag Street in Dayton. In 1910 he was listed at 91 Cline Street. John died December 22, 1915 in Dayton, and was buried at Calvary Cemetery. John married Amalie (Amelia) SCHAD, daughter of Andreas SCHAD and Otillia (Tillie) WECKESSER, on June 13, 1876 at Holy Trinity Church in Dayton. Amelia was born on February 2, 1853 in Königshofen, Tauberbischofsheim, Baden, Germany. She died on February 27, 1936 in Dayton and was buried in Calvary Cemetery.

John A. DEGER and Amelia SCHAD had the following children:

i. An infant child was stillborn on February 12, 1877 to Amelia and John. The online IGI has a listing for Edward, born February 12, 1877, however I haven't confirmed that data.

ii. Edward John DEGER was born January 15, 1878 in Dayton, Ohio. He was married to Minnie J. BENTGEN, daughter of Henry and Julia BENTGEN, on November 11, 1903 at Emmanuel Catholic Church in Dayton. Edward died January 20, 1964 in Dayton and was buried in Calvary Cemetery. Minnie J. BENTGEN was born March 19, 1878 in Essen, Germany. She died on April 19, 1968 in Dayton and was buried in Calvary Cemetery.

iii. Charles W. DEGER was born May 16, 1880 in Dayton, Ohio. His Godparents were his mother 's sister Josephine and her husband, John GRIEFMEDER. Charles was a Punch Press hand in 1904. He appeared on the census in 1920 in Middletown, Butler Co., Ohio, and on the 1930 Dayton. Charles was married to Marguerite (or Margaretta) LORAH, daughter of Samuel LORAH and Anna LONG, on August 10, 1904 at Emmanuel Catholic Church in Dayton. Marguerite LORAH was born February 26, 1882, and died March 3, 1933, at age 51. Charles was married to Pearl LINKOUS, on July 2, 1937. Charles died November 17, 1959 in Akron, Ohio. Pearl apparently died previous to Charles (date unknown)

iv. William DEGER was stillborn on May 16, 1880 in Dayton, Ohio.

v. George Alvin DEGER was born on September 23, 1882 in Dayton, Ohio. He appeared on the census from 1900 to 1930 in Dayton, and died October 11, 1944 in Montgomery County, probably Dayton, and was buried in Calvary Cemetery. George married Eva F. ECKMAN on November 15, 1905 in Montgomery Co., Ohio. Eva was born on September 9, 1882 in Dayton. She died on December 13, 1967 in Dayton, and was buried in Calvary Cemetery.

vi. Anna Mary DEGER was born on September 17, 1884 in Dayton, Ohio. She appeared on the census from 1900 to 1930 in Dayton. She died on December 2, 1949 in Dayton, and was buried in Calvary Cemetery. Anna was married to "Colonel" Clarence HUFFMAN on September 18, 1906. Clarence HUFFMAN was born about 1881 in Ohio and died September 19, 1926.

Anna was married second to Fred A. WECKESSER, November 23, 1927. Fred WECKESSER was born on September 8, 1901 in Germany. He immigrated in 1923 from Baden to New York. The 1930 census lists him residing with Anna in Dayton. Fred died on April 7, 1978 in Dayton, and was buried in Calvary Cemetery.

vii. Herman Aloysius DEGER was born on 14 Nov 1886 in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio.46 He died on 28 Feb 1894 in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio.30 He was buried on 1 Mar 1894 in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio (Calvary Cemetery). Godparents were Herman Deger & Veueranda Pasold

viii. Clara DEGER was born on 21 Dec 1888 in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio. She appeared on the census in 1900 in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio (Ward 7).128 She appeared on the census in 1920 in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio.129 She appeared on the census in 1930 in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio (Linden Avenue).130 She died in Apr 1975 in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio. She married Valentine SCHEUERMANN, who was born about 1877 in Baden, Germany. He was a Worked in a Cigar Factory between 1920 and 1930.

ix. Harold DEGER was born in 1889.45 He died in 1896. Cause of Death Diptheria.
x. Leo Henry DEGER (see below)
xi. Clarence Francis DEGER was born on 20 Dec 1893 in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio. He appeared on the census in 1900-1910 in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio (Ward 7).162 He appeared on the census in 1910 in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio.163 He appeared on the census in 1920-1930 in Middletown, Butler Co., Ohio. He died on 11 Jan 1985 in Middletown, Butler Co., Ohio.
Rosa Josephine ZEIER (daughter of ZEIER and MATILSKY) was born on 27 Mar 1895 in Ohio.

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Theodore DEGER was born in Oct 1855 in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio. He appeared on the census in 1870-1910 in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio (Ward 8).48 He was a wood bender between 1888 and 1890. He resided 225 E. Jasper, Dayton, Ohio between 1888 and 1890. He was married to Cathreine PFEIFFER on 17 Aug 1882 in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio (Emmanuel Catholic Church). Cathreine PFEIFFER was born in Aug 1850 in Germany. Theodore DEGER and Cathreine PFEIFFER had the following children:
i. Francis (Fanny) DEGER. Francis (Fanny) DEGER was born in Aug 1883 in Ohio.25,169 She appeared on the census in 1900 in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio (Ward 7).170 She appeared on the census in 1930 in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio.171 She was married to WELCH.172 19.
ii. Marie DEGER. Marie DEGER was born in Sep 1888 in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio.7 She appeared on the census in 1900 in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio (Ward 7).173 She was married to Charles VOGEL on 22 May 1907 in Montgomery Co., Ohio. -------------------------------------------------------

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Herman A. DEGER was born in May 1861 in Ohio. He appeared on the census in 1870-1900 in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio. He was a wood bender in 1888/89.23 He resided 511 S. Warren, Dayton, Ohio between 1888 and 1890.23 He was a laborer in 1889/90.23 He appeared on the census in 1900 in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio (Ward 7). He appeared on the census in 1910-1920 in Superior, Douglas Co., Wisconsin. He died after 1920. He was married to Mollie BLISS before 1885. Mollie BLISS was born on 22 May 1860 in Ohio.She died on 15 Mar 1932. She was also known as Mary Ellen??.

Herman A. DEGER and Mollie BLISS had the following children:
Philomena "Minnie" DEGER. Philomena "Minnie" DEGER was born in Mar 1885 in Ohio.25 She appeared on the census in 1930 in Superior, Douglas Co., Wisconsin.134 Year: 1930; Census Place: Superior, Douglas, Wisconsin; Roll: 2570; Page: ; Enumeration District: 39; Image: 713.0. (1930 U.S. Census) WISCONSIN , DOUGLAS, 9-WD SUPERIOR Series: T626 Roll: 2570 Page: 84 She was married to John Alex BRITTON. John Alex BRITTON was born about 1883 in Canada. Philomena "Minnie" DEGER and John Alex BRITTON had the following children: +52 i. Clyde BRITTON. +53 ii. Glyn BRITTON. 54 iii. Wayne Sr. BRITTON. 55 iv. Rosella BRITTON. 21 ii. Rosella DEGER was born in Aug 1888 in Ohio.25 +22 iii. Herman Orlando DEGER. Herman Orlando DEGER was born in Jan 1892 in Ohio.25 He died on 22 Jul 1940 in St. Louis Co., Minnesota. DEGER, HERMAN ORLANDO E. Date of Birth: not indexed Place of Birth: not indexed Mother Maiden Name: not indexed certid# 1940-MN-014234 Date of Death: 07/22/1940 County of Death: ST. LOUIS He was married to Laura GARRNGON. Laura GARRNGON was born on 9 Apr 1893. She died on 10 Sep 1990 in St. Louis Co., Minnesota.
Herman Orlando DEGER and Laura GARRNGON had the following children:
Ralph DEGER
Willard DEGER
June DEGER
Elaine DEGER

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Leo Henry DEGER was born on 15 May 1891 in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio. He appeared on the census in 1900-1910 in Dayton, Montgomery Co., Ohio (Ward 7). He appeared on both the 1920-1930 census in Chicago, Illinois. He died March 16, 1985 in Schaumburg, Illinois. He was buried in Palatine, at St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery. Leo and Nina moved to Chicago on the day they were married. They took the night train from Dayton to Chicago. Leo had gone to study voice in Chicago, under the Italian tenor opera singer and teacher, Umberto Beduschi. He was married to Nina Mary PUCKETT (daughter of Benjamin Franklin "Frank" PUCKETT Jr. and Margaret I. "Maggie" MOON) on October 13, 1919 in Dayton, Ohio.
Nina Mary PUCKETT was born March 31, 1895 in Port William, Clinton Co., Ohio (Liberty Twp.). She died on May 17, 1969 in Fox Lake, Illinois
Chicago Tribune (IL) - May 19, 1969 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Deceased Name: Nina M. Deger, nee Puckett Nina M. Deger, nee Puckett, of McHenry, formerly of Arlington Heights, beloved Wife of Leo H.; dear mother of Sister Mary Irene, O. S. F., John O., William E., Thomas L., and Robert H.; 21 grandchildren; loving sister of Roy and Russell Puckett. Visitation at Lauterburg & Oehler Funeral Home, 2000 E. Northwest highway, Arlington Heights. Funeral Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., from chapel, to St. James church. Mass 10 a.m. Interment St. Michael the Archangel. 253-5423. She was buried on 21 May 1969 in Palatine, Cook Co., Illinois (St. Michael the Archangel).