He began his professional career with the Chelsea, New York baseball club,[2] before making his debut with the Brooklyn Atlantics of the National Association on May 2, 1872.

[4] In 1873, Dehlman established career highs in several offensive categories, such as runs scored (50), batting average (.235), and on-base percentage (.265).

[1] After his playing days were over, Dehlman became the manager for the professional baseball team in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

[2] Before the 1885 season began, the Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania professional baseball club hired him as their team manager.

Shortly after arriving in town, he contracted typhoid fever and died a few days later at the age of 33.