Born on 31 January 1852, in Roßraupt, Bohemia, Austrian Empire, son of Joseph Degelmann and Maria Willfahrt. At age 17 he migrated with his parents and siblings to São Francisco do Sul, SC, aboard the steamship Electric, departing from Hamburg on 10 April 1869 and arriving on 31 May 1869. He was a farmer, Catholic. He married Maria Schweizer on 20 August 1871 in Joinville. He died of fever on 29 August 1891, aged 39, at his home on Estrada do Itaúm, Boemerwald, Joinville.