My Genealogy Hound

A. O. REUBELT, A. M., Superintendent of the city schools of Murphysboro, was born in Pottsville, Pa., July 15, 1849. He is the son of J. A. Reubelt, A. M., D. D., LL. D., a cultured gentleman of broad knowledge and extended reputation, who was of German birth and parentage, and in his youth conducted his literary studies in the far-famed University of Leipsic, graduating from that institution with honors. Prior to his marriage he emigrated to America, and filled chairs in colleges at Philadelphia, New York, Greensburg (Ohio), Trenton (Tenn.) and Fayette (Mo.), in the latter city being connected with Andrews University.

From Missouri, Professor Reubelt removed to Greencastle, Ind., where he accepted the position of Professor of Latin in De Pauw University. Later he filled a similar position in the University of Indiana, at Bloomington, and was actively engaged in giving instruction in the ancient classics for a period of twenty-five years. At the present time (1894) he resides in Carthage, Tenn., and devotes his attention principally to literary work. He has just completed writing a book entitled “English Prepositions” and is also the author of a work on natural history, comprising two volumes, and a “Life of Christ.” As an author, he is entertaining and instructive, sound in his logical deductions and accurate in his conclusions, and his contributions to the literature of our country will perpetuate his name through the ages to come. During the War of the Rebellion his sympathies were enlisted on the side of the Union, and for some time he served as Chaplain of a regiment from Philadelphia. At the second battle of Bull Run he was wounded, though not seriously.

The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Lavinia Orwig, was born in Pottsville, Pa., and died in Greencastle, Ind., in 1865. Her father, Isaac, was born in Pennsylvania, and was a descendant of German ancestors who settled in the Keystone State during an early period of its history, and who purchased large tracts of land from William Penn. Our subject is the second in a family of ten children, of whom there are now living five sons and one daughter. The eldest is a contractor, and the others are teachers by profession.

A student in the public schools of Pennsylvania prior to the age of fourteen, our subject then removed to Indiana, where soon afterward he entered the preparatory department of De Pauw University. On the 5th of October, 1864, when a lad of fifteen years, he enlisted as a member of Company I, Forty-third Indiana Infantry, and from Indianapolis accompanied his regiment to Kentucky and Tennessee. At the close of the war, in 1865, he was mustered out of the service at Indianapolis, and at once returned to De Pauw University, where he continued his studies until the close of the junior year. In 1869 he entered the University of Indiana, at Bloomington, from which institution he was graduated June 25, 1870, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Three years later the degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him.

After completing his literary studies, Professor Reubelt filled the position of Superintendent of schools at Vevay, Ind., for one year, and has followed this profession continuously, with the exception of one year, when he engaged in the mercantile business at Brazil, Ind. For three years he was Principal of the Tuscola (Ill.) schools, and for one year was similarly engaged at Freeport, this state. In the fall of 1892 he came to Murphysboro, where he has since been Superintendent of schools. As an instructor, he is thorough, judicious and efficient, and he occupies a position of prominence among the educators of the state. He is a man of close observation, careful reflection, soundness of judgment, practical views and a wide range of interests. His faculties are well balanced, and he is perhaps inclined to conservative, rather than radical views and actions.

In Brazil, Ind., December 29, 1875, Professor Reubelt was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Warner, who was born in Greencastle, Ind., being the daughter of Derrick Warner, a retired farmer and old settler of the Hoosier State. They are the parents of two children, Ida and Warner. Socially, Professor Reubelt affiliates with the Masonic fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Knights of Honor and the Grand Army of the Republic. In his religious belief he is identified with the Christian Church, and is now serving as an Elder in that denomination. Politically he is strong in his advocacy of Democratic principles, which he supports with his ballot and influence. For twelve years he has been prominently connected with institute work in Indiana and Illinois, and his efforts have largely contributed to the advancement of educational interests.