Reuben Newsome was the son of James Newsome. James was born c 1829 in Baildon. He married Lydia (date and maiden name unknown).

Reuben, who had a younger sister, was born c1851 in Shipley. In 1861 the family were living at 5 Herbert Street in Saltaire with James working as a weaving overlooker. By 1871 they had moved to 18 Victoria Road in Saltaire. Reuben was a book keeper in the mill, where he worked all his life. In 1881 they were living at 33 Albert Road (renumbered 65) in Saltaire. James died in 1888.

In 1891 Reuben was living with his widowed mother at 24 Victoria Road in Saltaire. Reuben married Sarah Brookshank in 1899. They lived at 73 Victoria Road in Saltaire. Sarah died in 1914.

Reuben died 4 May 1915 and was buried 7 May 1915 at St Pauls Shipley. In his will he left £71 11s 7d (worth £6,600 in 2014) to his married sister, Esther Taylor.