Founder of Rubinkam Branch In Pennsylvania Unidentified.
Founder of Rubinkam Branch
In Pennsylvania Unidentified.

Founder of Rubinkam Branch
In Pennsylvania Unidentified
______

Jesse is First Known Ancestor of the Line; His Grandson,
Nathaniel, a Distinguished Clergyman,
Was Father of Chicagoan.
_________

    Sometime ago the Genealogical Department of The Post printed the history of the Rubincam-Revercomb family which landed in Germantown, Pa., under Margaretha Katharina Rubencamm, the widow of the Rev. Johann Philipp Rubencamm, member of a line of Hessian ministers, and her children, Friedrich Wilhelm, Justus Wilhelm, Karl Wilhelm, and Anna Katharina, the wife of Johannes Wuster (John Wister). This family now has representatives in all parts of the country, including the main branches remaining in Pennsylvania, another one at St. Louis, Mo. (the founders of the Rubicam Business School of that city), and the Revercomb branch in Virginia, which has produced a number of legislators, soldiers and physicians.
    The present story deals with an unidentified family of Rubinkam residing in Bucks County, Pa. Various theories have been advanced as to which branch of the Rubincam-Revercomb family it is an offshoot of, but nothing definitely convincing has been suggested.
    Jesse Rubinkam, the first known ancestor of this line, was born September 16, 1777, and died August 9, 1852. By occupation he was a wheelwright of Warrington Township. He married Mary Mullin (1775-1843), of Horsham Township. They were pewholders at Neshaminy Presbyterian Church. They were the parents of five children, Sarah A., who married William Patterson; William, Agnes, Nathaniel Irving, and Margaret L., who married Samuel L. Stack.

Second Son Successful Farmer.

    It has been suggested that Jesse belonged to the branch founded by Justus William Rubincam, the second son of the Rev. John Philip, while another opinion has suggested that he might have descended from the line of the third son, Charles William. Both of these brothers were residents of Philadelphia County, while the eldest brother, Frederick William, is known to have lived in Bucks County. Although no actual proof of his marriage has ever been produced, the writer believes it more logical that he may have married and founded the Rubinkam family under discussion.
    Jesse's second son, Nathaniel I. Rubinkam (1813-1872), was a successful agriculturist of Bucks County. It is recorded of him that "so honorable and straightforward was his career that he had not an enemy in the world." He was a school director for 25 years, and was one of the Republican leaders in the county. His wife, Anna Maria Wynkoop, belonged to an old Dutch family. They had seven children, two of whom, Jesse and William, saw service in the Civil War.
    Nathaniel's youngest son, Nathanial Irving Rubinkam, jr., was a distinguished clergyman, lecturer, and editor. He was born at Hartsville, Pa., February 19, 1851, was graduated from Princeton University with a degree of bachelor of arts in 1874, and received a like degree from the University of Halle, Germany, the next year. Graduating from Princeton Theological Seminary in 1878, he went abroad and studied in Berlin, Basel, Paris and London. The next few years were spent in traveling in Europe and the Orient. In 1891 the degree of doctor of philosophy was confered on him by the University of Basel, in Switzerland.

Filled Several Pulpits.

    Meanwhile, having been ordained a minister of the Presbyterian Church (1878), he held several pastorates, and subsequently served as a minister in the Dutch Reformed and Congregational churches. From 1903 until his death, Dr. Rubinkam was lecturer in the Rubinkam Association in Chicago, and from 1893 to 1910 an extension lecturer in the University of Chicago. Among other positions he was president of the International Folklore Society, of Chicago. He was the author of "Zachariah" (1891), and, among other works, the editor of "Hamlet" (1897).
    Dr. Rubinkam died in Chicago, September 29, 1919. By his wife, Sarah Erety Shoemaker, whom he married April 24, 1880, he was the father of Nathaniel Rubinkam, who was born in Jamestown, N. Y., January 2, 1888, and was graduated from the University of Chicago in 1910 with the degree of bachelor of philosophy. In 1912, the same institution awarded him the degree of doctor of jurisprudence.
    As a lieutenant in the United States Naval Reserve force, Dr. Rubinkam saw service in the World War from April, 1917, to August, 1919. He received the United States Navy Cross with citation for distinguished service in operating against submarines and for mine sweeping. Dr. Rubinkam now resides in Chicago.   M. R.


Source:

M. R., "Founder of Rubinkam Branch In Pennsylvania Unidentified," Washington Post, Sunday, 21 July, 1935, Page SB10.

Created March 16, 2006; Revised March 16, 2006
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