Biography of Davis E. Caruth, pages 484/485.   History of DeKalb 
County, Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., Indianapolis, 1914.



Davis E. Caruth



	The memory of the worthy subject of this memorial biography is 
revered by a host of friends and acquaintances, he having spent his 
energies through a long life of strenuous endeavor to make the most of 
his opportunities as well as to assist as best he could his neighbors 
to improve their condition, for he did not believe in living to himself 
alone, manifesting an altruistic spirit and kind heart, his sympathies 
going out to those who needed assistance or encouragement, and in all 
the relations of life he proved signally true to every trust.  He 
possessed a social nature and by his genial and kindly attitude to 
those with whom he came in contact, he won the confidence and respect 
of everyone.

	Davis E. Caruth was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, May 16, 
1852. After securing his education in the public schools he entered the 
employ of railroads and at the age of twenty-one years, when the 

Baltimore & Ohio road was being built through DeKalb county, he came 
here as a lineman, working the line construction at the time when the 
town of Garrett was just being started.  He remained with the Baltimore 
& Ohio company for six or seven years.  After his marriage, which 
occurred in 1876, Mr. Caruth lived at Walkerton, Indiana, about four 
years and then removed to Chicago, where he was engaged with the 
Atlantic & Pacific Telegraph Company, having in charge the line 
maintenance.  A year later he went back to Auburn and for a short time 
worked for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company and later for the 
Nickel Plate Railroad Company, being with the latter road about five 
years as superintendent of telegraph construction between Chicago and 
Buffalo.  During the period of this employ with the Nickel Plate 
company Mr. and Mrs. Caruth lived in Fostoria, Ohio. In 1887 they 
returned to Auburn and established their permanent home.  Mrs. Caruth’s 
father died and Mr. Caruth gave up his railroad work in order to give 
his entire attention to her father’s former business affairs and his 
farms.  Thereafter Mr. Caruth maintained his home here until his death, 
which occurred on Jun 15, 1912.

	In 1876 Mr. Caruth married Cornelia Lockwood, the daughter of 
Alonzo and Rosamond (Phelps) Lockwood, the latter being a sister of 
Reuben Lockwood, deceased, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work.  
Mrs. Caruth was born and reared on her father’s farm about five miles 
south of Auburn, and when about seven years of age she accompanied her 
parent on their removal to Auburn, where she lived until he marriage to 
Mr. Caruth.  To this union were born two daughters, Elsie J., the wife 
of Ashton Staman, a druggist at Auburn, and Gertrude C., the wife of 
Edward O. Little, jeweler and city clerk of Auburn, whose sketch 
appears elsewhere in this work.

	Fraternally, Mr. Caruth was a Mason of high degree, having been a 
member of the Scottish Rite, thirty-second degree, for over twenty 
years. Religiously, he was a member of the Presbyterian church, and 
during his entire life he always stood for the right regardless of 
public sentiment.  Because of his positive stand on all questions and 
his high personal character he won a host of friends who esteemed him 
for his genuine worth.  He was deeply interested in everything that was 
for the betterment of the town in which he lived and lent a helping 
hand whenever he could for the public welfare.  He loved his fellow men 
irrespective of rank or circumstances and was in turn beloved by them.  
He remembered the sick in their distress and was their friend in their 
house of isolation and trouble and frequently gave material assistance 
where it was needed.   During his active life he gave strict attention 
to his business affairs and for many years he never lost a day while in 
railroad employ.  His superior officers held him in the highest regard, 
for he was not only well qualified to discharge important official 
duties, but was a man who without effort made friends and always 
retained them.



Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

Agoodwin@ctlnet.com