BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

Charles Rubert

Charles Rubert, the popular postmaster of Port Lavaca, Texas, also a veteran of the Civil war in the Federal service and a pioneer in the oyster industry of Calhoun county, was born in Prussia, Germany, January 9, 1838, a son of Karl and Dora (Zobel) Rubert, both also natives of that country.  They were there married and reared their family, and both were descendants of prominent Protestant families.  The father was a mechanic and a contractor and builder, following those occupations successfully in his native land for many years.  He never served in the German army, and had no aspirations for political notoriety, giving his entire attention to his business interests, and was well known and respected for his sterling integrity and honor, being a worthy member of the Lutheran church.  In their family were five children: Wilhelmina, Mrs. Schultz; Charles, whose name introduces this review; August; Ferdinand, and Albert, who left home and his residence is not now known.  

Charles Rubert remained in the parental home until fourteen years of age, when he boarded a vessel for the East Indies and became a sailor boy.  From 1852 until 1858 he roamed over the high seas visiting many ports and finally making the port of New York decided that America should thenceforth be his home.  From that time until 1861 he drifted about the many American harbors, and then returned to New York and enlisted for service in the Civil war, entering the Federal service in the Eighty-first New York Volunteer Infantry, which was consigned to the Army of the Potomac with General McClellan in command.  His command was soon sent to the front, and he remained in that division until 1863, when on account of disability he was transferred to the invalid corps at New York city and there spent some time in recuperating.  Later the corps was sent to Baltimore, Maryland, to relieve others who had been stationed there, and as sergeant Mr. Rubert had charge of a large force of men, thus continuing until the expiration of his term of enlistment.  During his three years of army life he saw very hard service, but was ever a faithful and loyal soldier.

After his discharge, Mr. Rubert returned for a visit to his native home in Prussia, and in the fall of 1865 returned to New York and for some months thereafter was employed in Brooklyn.  In 1866 he came to Indianola, Texas, where later for nine months he was engaged in the lumber business from Florida to that city, having been obliged to abandon the business on the expiration of that period on account of yellow fever.  Returning thence to Boston and New York, he later went to St. Louis and Omaha, where the Union Pacific railroad was under construction, and he opened a sutler's store and followed the construction force from 1867 until 1870, when he closed out the business and returned to Indianola, Texas.  For a few years thereafter he was engaged in boating on the bay, having purchased a boat, but the storms of 1875 and 1886 so impaired his business that he lost heavily, and in 1887, when the town of Indianola was swept into the sea, he came to Port Lavaca and engaged in the wholesale business of shipping fish and oysters, being the pioneer in this industry.  In 1891, during Harrison's administration, Mr. Rubert was appointed postmaster of Port Lavaca, continuing to discharge the duties of that important position for four years, when, under Cleveland's administration, he was replaced by a Democrat, and thereafter lived quietly retired until in 1901, when he was re-appointed to the same office, being the present incumbent.  He has placed the office in that of the third class, and his services therein have been creditable alike to himself and his constituents.

At Indianola, Texas, in 1873, Mr. Rubert married Miss Addie H. Cloud, born in Washington county, this state, and a descendant of a very prominent and highly respected parentage, her father having been an Episcopal minister of wide reputation.  Three children have blessed the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Rubert, namely: Edgar C., engaged in the fish and oyster business; Rebecca, an assistant in the postoffice; and Dora M., who is housekeeper for her father.  In 1884 the wife and mother was called to the home beyond, she having long been a member of the Episcopal church, as is also her husband.  Mr. Rubert has membership relations with the Masonic order, and is a Republican in his political affiliations.  The government recognizes his valuable services as a soldier, and he receives a moderate pension in compensation for his services.  He is deeply interested in the affairs of his city and county, has advocated the measures which have advanced their welfare and has labored for their improvement and progress.

Source: Transcription from the book, A Twentieth Century History of Southwest Texas, volume II, published in 1907; located on the website, Hathitrust Digital Library (http://www.hathitrust.org), accessed on 8 October 2022.