Reuben Melvin was born July 14, 1844, in Burton, Ohio.

The 1860 United States census showed Reuben Melvin (age 16, born in Ohio, farm laborer) living in Cheshire Township, Allegan, Ohio.

Reuben Melvin was married to Amelia C. Howe in Carver, Minnesota, on January 11, 1864.

The 1870 United States census showed Robin Melvin (age 27, born in Ohio, works in brickyard) married to Emelia (age 30, born in Vermont) and living in Chaska, Minnesota. Children Evelin (age 5, born in Minnesota), Jennie (age 3, born in Minnesota), and Cora (age 6 months, born in Minnesota) also lived with the couple.

The 1875 Minnesota census showed Ruben Melvin (age 29, born in Ohio) married to Emilie (age 33, born in Ohio) and living in Chaska, Minnesota. Children Elly (age 10, born in Minnesota), Jenny (age 7, born in Minnesota), Cohra (age 5, born in Minnesota), and Eva (age 2, born in Minnesota) also lived with the couple.

The 1880 United States census showed Reubin Melvin (age 37, born in Ohio, brick maker) married to Amelia (age 40, born in Vermont) and living in Chaska, Minnesota). Children Adella (age 15, born in Minnesota), Cora (age 10, born in Minnesota), and Effie (age 2, born in Minnesota) also lived with the couple.

Reuben Melvin was born in Burton, Geauga county, Ohio, in 1844. His youth was spent in his native place, until the fall of 1861 when he enlisted in Company H, Twelfth Michigan; served one year and was honorably discharged at Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1863 he came to Chaska, and has since been employed in making brick. Married January 11, 1864, to Amelia C. Howe. Four of their six children are living. (History of the Minnesota Valley, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota, Rev. Edward D. Neill, North Star Publishing Company, Minneapolis, 1882, Page 364)

The 1885 Minnesota census showed Rueben Melvin (age 40, born in Ohio) married to Emelia (age 45, born in Vermont) and living in Chaska, Minnesota. Children Cora (age 15, born in Minnesota), Effie (age 7, born in Minnesota), and Martin (age 4, born in Minnesota) also lived with the couple.

The 1895 Minnesota census showed Reuben Melvin (age 50, born in Ohio, grocery) married to Amelia A. (age 55, born in Vermont) and living in Excelsior, Minnesota. Children Effie J. (age 17, born in Minnesota) and Mertin R. (age 14, born in Minnesota) also lived with the couple.

The 1900 United States census showed Reuben Melvin (age 55, born in July 1844 in Ohio, store keeper) married to Amelia (age 60, born in February 1840 in Vermont) and living in Dumont, Traverse County, Minnesota. A daughter, Effie (age 22, born in February 1878 in Minnesota), also lived with the couple.

The 1910 United States census showed Reuben Melvin (age 67, born in Ohio, own income) married to Amelia M. (age 70, born in Vermont) and living in Frazee, Becker County, Minnesota. They lived with their daughter, Effie J. (age 30, born in Minnesota) and their son-in-law Roy A.

The 1920 United States census showed Reuben Melvin (age 75, born in Ohio, own income, widowed) living in Minneapolis (Ward 13), Minnesota. He lived with his son, Merton R. (age 39, born in Minnesota, dentist) and his wife Martha R. (age 30, born in Minnesota).

Reuben Melvin died on August 4, 1922, and is buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Chaska, Minnesota.