Reubke was born in Halberstadt, the son of domain collector Georg Benjamin.
His family moved to Hausneindorf in 1809, and Reubke began taking piano lessons.
[1] To pursue a professional career, he was sent to the Cathedral Gymnasium school, but left early after his father died.
In particular, Julius Reubke became a noted composer and pupil of Franz Liszt before his early death in 1858.
[2] From 1860, Adolf ran his business, now called Reubke & Sohn, with his son Emil.