Reuben H. N. Bates was born around 1803 in Rhode Island. He married Amy Day, and they had at least five children: Albert, born on November 30, 1835; Lewis, born around 1840; Leprilet, born around 1842; Susan, born around 1849; and Walter, born around 1856. They lived in Providence, Rhode Island, and Bates worked as a pattern maker. By 1860, he owned $5,000 of real estate and $500 of personal property. A decade later, he owned $2,500 of real estate and $1,000 of personal property. He died in Rhode Island on May 6, 1891.