WILLIAM REBMAN, builder and contractor; residence, Bluff and Sixteenth streets; is a native of Lancaster Co., Penn., and was born Oct. 20,1821; when very young, his parents removed to Ohio; he came to Dubuque on the steamboat Palmyra, and arrived here May 3, 1837; he found employment at McKnight's furnace; after a few years, he learned the trade of blacksmith, and worked at that and engaged in building; in 1850, he engaged in the real-estate business, and since then, he has been extensively engaged in real estate, contracting and building; he has erected more buildings than any contractor in Dubuque; he built Rebman Block, now known as Sanford's Block, the first business block built north of Eighth street; the work was begun in February, when the frost was two and a half feet deep in the ground, and the stores were rented and occupied in May. Mr. Rebman has been actively identified with the interests of the city, and has done more for the excellent, street improvements of the city than any other one man; he was instrumental in securing the grading and beautifying of Washington Park; he was twice chosen Health Officer, and built the hospital and quarantined the city. In February, 1847, Mr. Rebman was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Kephart, a native of Pennsylvania; they have had nine children, only five of whom survive-William H., Charles A., Frank, Minnie B. and Gertie. Mr. Rebman is a member of the Second Presbyterian Church, and has been more actively identified with Sabbath-school interests than almost any man in the State; he has been Superintendent of two Sabbath-schools for thirty-two years, without a vote ever being cast against him, and defraying the expenses himself; he has traveled twenty·two miles and held five meetings in one Sunday, and it is said that, in twenty years, he has not missed being present as many Sabbaths. Mr. Rebman was chosen President of the Sunday School Convention of the Third Congressional District, and was also President of the Dubuque County Sunday School Convention four different terms, and now holds that position; his election as presiding officer of these conventions was entirely unsolicited by him, but was made because of his peculiar fitness for the position; he was instrumental in organizing the Young Men's Christian Association of this city, and was elected President of it, and has served as Director and Chairman of the Finance and Mission Committee, and for a long term was one of its principal supporters. (Bio from The History of Dubuque County, Iowa. Chicago: Western Historical Company, 1880)

Son of William and Margaret Rebman. Brother of Augusta Rebman Darling and Elizabeth Rebman Hunn.