In 1920, Sam and Anna Rubin and their two baby daughters, Lucille and Gish, drove west from Chicago to explore the very small towns which would eventually become Suburbia. At that time, Naperville was about 4,000 in population. The Rubins were looking for a new home and a new business, having left northern Minnesota to be closer to Chicago. The Rubins found that Naperville was the town for them.
At that time, Sam was a general contractor in the Chicago area, but in Naperville he bought an empty store at 222 South Main Street. This became The Home Department Store, managed by Anna and Sam. The family lived in an apartment above the store.
For four generations, the name Rubin has been associated with Naperville. The second generation included the two eldest children, Lucille and Gish, who married and moved elsewhere and Alfred and Norman who were born and lived in Naperville until Norman moved to California. The third generation, produced 12 children from each of the second generation having three children each. Alfred's children Jennifer, Steven, and Lydia still reside in Naperville and have produced the fourth generation, Steven's three girls, Rachael, Emily and Abby, who are now growing up in Naperville.
In 1960, the four original Rubin children formed The Rubin Partnership, to honor their parents. The youngest, Norman, an attorney and developer, became the managing partner, and the others contributed in various ways.
During World War II and later the four Rubin children served their country. Alfred was an officer in the U.S. Army Cavalry in Europe, Gish was a recreation worker for the Red Cross in England, Lucille was in the Red Cross in El Paso, Texas and Norman later served in the U.S. Army in Europe.
Evidence of the Rubin's involvement in Naperville is everywhere. Alfred was a member of almost every board and committee including two terms on the Naperville City Council. His son, Steve, is following this example. All the Rubins salute the Carillon, Naperville's wonderful new presence. |
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