Reuben Meader, son of Nicholas Meader (1754-1836) [0035] and Rachel Allen (1756-1842), was born on Nantucket November 22, 1794 and died November 4, 1881, just before his 87th birthday. On May 1, 1817 he married Sarah Swain [one source reads "Thain"], daughter of Alexander Swain and Deborah Greene, who was born February 9, 1795 and died November 3, 1879.

Reuben Meader was engaged with his son Charles in the California trade, with a residence at North Easton, MA, and an office in Boston. Sarah Swain Meader was a pleasing and cultivated woman, but in the latter part of her life she lost her mind.

Reuben Meader lived on Nantucket for many years, and had a summer residence at Seascousett [not in atlas]. He was an excellent businessman and early amassed a fortune. He had a copper mine in California [possibly at Copperopolis, where Thomas Meader [0090] apparently lived. Thomas was Reuben’s elder brother and returned from Copperopolis with his nephew, Daniel [son of 95], in 1889]; vessels laden with ore were constantly arriving, furnishing employment in many ways. But in 1868 so many reverses occurred that it was very doubtful where the result would leave them.