His parents were William George and Sarah Bibbs Thwaites, who had moved to Dorchester in 1850 from Yorkshire, England. The family moved to Omro, Wisconsin, in 1866, where Reuben worked on the farm, studied college-level coursework and reported for the Oshkosh Times.
Reuben Thwaites' parents, William George and Sarah Bibbs Thwaites, originated from Yorkshire, England, and moved to Dorchester in 1850. The family relocated to Omro, Wisconsin, in 1866, where Reuben worked on the farm, studied advanced coursework, and contributed as a reporter for the Oshkosh Times.