Ruben East was born in Henry Co.. Va on 12 March 1819, he married Harriet Knight 
Young about 1840, probably in Giles Co. TN. She was the eldest child of Rufus K 
Young and Rebecca Young (no relation), and was born 12 March 1821 in Giles Co.

Harriet grew up in Giles Co. Since she (and her brother Amaziah) was a member 
of Roberson Fork Church in northeast Giles Co. In the 1830's and until after 
her marriage, it can be assumed that this is where the marriage took place.

Ruben and Harriet moved to Wayne Co by August of 1841 and lived there for over 
twenty-one years where he was a farmer and justice of the peace. The Wayne Co. 
Court booted Ruben out of office "for holding an office under the so called 
Confederate States of America" on 3 July 1865.

Soon afterwards Reuben, Harriet, and most of their children moved upriver to 
Savannah where Reuben opened a hotel called the East House in the center of 
town on the South side of the town square.

This was the only hotel in Savannah until 1888 when the metropolitan was 
established. They sold their hotel on 8 April 1892 to Mr. J. K. Barlow, but 
remained at Savannah until their deaths.

Over the years they lived in their nearby home, but apparently were living 
in the hotel when it was sold.

Ruben was elected to be a ranger in Savannah for two years beginning in 
January 1887, and again in January 1890.