My Genealogy Hound

REUBEN BRUBAKER, president of the Beetem Lumber & Mfg. Co., of Carlisle, Pa., was born in Lancaster county, Pa., near Ephrata, May 24, 1844, a son of John and Mariah (Kemper) Brubaker, and grandson of Daniel Brubaker, who was a well known man of his day. The father of our subject died in 1854, aged thirty-two years, and the mother, died in Cumberland county aged sixty-two years. Mr. Brubaker was a farmer by occupation. The following children were born to this couple: Reuben; Levi, a carpenter of Carlisle; Jesse, a carpenter, living at Jennings, La.; Henry, a carpenter of Decatur, Ill.; Fannie, deceased; and Martin, a farmer of Brown county, Kansas.

When only a lad of thirteen Reuben Brubaker was brought to Cumberland county, where he has since made his home. His education was obtained in the public schools, which he attended until he was seventeen years old when he learned the trade of carpenter. After a few years he began contracting and building, and has followed this calling ever since upon an extensive scale throughout Cumberland county, having had the contract for the erection of many of the most pretentious buildings in Carlisle. Since his election to the presidency of the Beetem Lumber Co. he has concentrated his energies upon the development of that business.

The Beetem Lumber & Mfg. Co. of Carlisle, Pa., with office and mill at Nos. 428 to 442 East North street, yards corner Louther and Spring Garden streets, manufacturers of sash, doors, blinds and lumber of all kinds, has the following officers: Reuben Brubaker, president; Newton C. Wert, secretary and treasurer. The Company was incorporated in 1895 with a capital stock of $40,000. The business was originated by George S. Beetem, in 1880, and at his death, in 1892, the firm name changed to H. G. Beetem & Co., thus remaining until the incorporation, as given above. The board of directors is composed of men of prominence in the commercial world of Carlisle; H. G. Beetem, John F. Kerr, J. W. Wetzel, Calvin Wagner and R. Brubaker.

In politics Mr. Brubaker is a stanch Republican, and one of the most active supporters of his party. For some years he served as president of the board of health and has always borne his part in all public improvements.

Mr. Brubaker was married in 1866 to Miss Mary Wert, daughter of Joseph Wert. Mr. and Mrs. Brubaker are members of the Lutheran Church and for the past twenty-five years Mr. Brubaker has been a member of the official board, and was chairman of the building committee when the present handsome edifice was put up in Carlisle. The pleasant home of the family is at No. 137 East North street, where both Mr. and Mrs. Brubaker welcome their numerous friends with genial hospitality.