In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1902) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1821
From History of Greene County : together with historic notes on the Northwest, and the state of Ohio, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and all othe (1881), History of Greene County, Ohio : embracing the organization of the county, its division into townships, sketches of local interest gleaned from the pioneers from 1803 to 1840, together with a roster o (1902)
James B. Carruthers, grocer, was born in Scotland, on the 19th day of March, 1821. His parents, John and Mary B. Carruthers, both natives of Scotland, immigrated to this country in 1834, and lived in Granville County, Xorth Carolina, for about two years. In 1836 they removed to Ohio, and settled in Ross County, where they remained six years, and then came to Greene County, where they both died. James was in his thirteenth year when he came to this country with his parents. He clerked in a country store in Xorth Carolina for eighteen months, and after he came to Ohio, worked on a farm with his father until he was twenty-three, when lie left farming and taught a country school. Afterward he went to Thomas Steele’s school, in Xenia, and again taught for some time. In 1850 he engaged in book-keeping with Torrence & Co., of Chillicothe, for two years, and then went back to Xenia, and embarked in the grocery business, in which he still continues. On the 28th day of August, 1852, he was married to Miss Jeannette Smith, daughter of William and Helen (Scott) Smith, who were both natives of Scotland. They had live children born to them, Johanna M., who died when fourteen months old, Ella B., Jennie S., William S., and Jessie B. His wife died September 2, 1876, and on the 20tii of August, 1878, he was again married to Miss Eliza A. Hyslop, daughter of George and Margaret Hyslop, he a native of Scotland, and she of Pennsylvania. Mr. Carruthers is a member of the First United Presbyterian congregation of Xenia; has been councilman for six years, and at present is one of the police commissioners. During the war he was commissioned by Governor Todd as captain of Company D, Second Regiment, Greene County Militia. He was educated in Dumfries, Scotland, and in Xenia. By economy and square dealing, and his gentlemanly department, he stands on the top round in his line of business.
As printed in History of Greene County : together with historic notes on the Northwest, and the state of Ohio, gleaned from early authors, old maps and manuscripts, private and official correspondence, and all othe (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
JAMES B. CARRUTHERS.
It is natural when one has left the sea of earthly activities to review the life record completed and pass judgment upon what has been accomplished. The career of James B. Carruthers was one which would bear the closest investigation and scrutiny, for in business and in every relation of life he was an honorable man, shaping his course by such principles as lead to the development of an upright character. For many years he was associated with the mercantile interests in Xenia and was well known in political and church circles, so that when called to the home beyond the community lost one of its most valued representatives.
Mr. Carruthers was a native of Scotland, born on the 19th of March, 1821. His parents, John and Mary B. Carruthers, were also natives of the same country, and in the year 1834 they left the land of the feathers auck crossed the ocean to the new world, taking up their above in North Carolina, where they remained for about two years. In 1836 they arrived in Ohio, first settling in Ross county, but after six years had passed they came to Greene county, where they spent their remaining days.
M hen James B. Carruthers accompanied his parents to this country lie was but a lad of thirteen years. Being anxious to contribute his share to the family support, he secured employment as a clerk in a country store, being thus employed in North Carolina for eighteen months. After coming to Ohio he assisted in the work of the farm, aiding in the cultivation of the fields until he was twenty-three years of age. He then began teaching in a country school and later was a student in the school conducted by Thomas Steele in Nenia. Again he engaged in teaching, and in the year 1850 he began bookkeeping for the firm of Frazer & Company, of Chillicothe, Ohio, continuing in that capacity for two years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Xenia, where with the capital he had acquired through his own efforts he established a grocery store. Later he became connected with the dry goods trade, but afterward reentered the grocery business. Some time later he sold his store and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits in Xenia township, where he owned a good farm near the city. His next change connected him with the coal business in Xenia, and with this enterprise he continued until his death, which was the result of a railroad accident in Xenia on the 2d of December, 1898.
Mr. Carruthers was united in marriage to Jeanette Smith, a daughter of William and Helen (Scott) Smith, who were natives of Scotland. Five children were born of this union: Johannah M., who died at the age of fourteen months; Ella B.; Jennie S.; William S.; and Jessie B. The wife and mother was called to her final rest September 2, 1876, and on the 20th of August, 1878, Mr. Carruthers was again married, his second union being with Miss Eliza A. Hvslop, a daughter of George and Margaret Hysfop, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Carruthers was a member of the First United Presbyterian church of Xenia, and took an active interest in all that tertained to the moral, intellectual and material development of the community. For over thirty years he served as treasurer of Xenia Theological Seminary and was also financial agent of the synod. In his church he served as ruling elder and his efforts were very effective in promoting its growth and extending its influence. His political support was given with unwavering loyalty to the Republican party. For six years he served as a member of the city council of Xenia and was also a police commissioner during the Civil war. He was commissioned by Governor Tod as captain of Company D, Second Regiment, of the Greene county militia. A man of scholarly attainments and broad general information, he was well fitted to become a leader of public thought and opinion. He thoroughly enjoyed home life and took great pleasure in the society of his family and friends. Charitable and benevolent, he always gave freely of his means in support of worthy charity and was particularly encouraging to those who were willing to help themselves. His life was ever honorable and upright, and at all times and under all circumstances he commanded the respect and esteem of his fellow men and was regarded as one of the representative citizens of Xenia. Mrs. Carruthers and four of his children still survive him, one daughter, Jennie S., being now the wife of the Rev. W. G. Martin, of Grove City, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Carruthers is a lady of superior intelligence and culture and has taken a very active part in the public interests of Xenia. For thirteen years she was a most successful school teacher of this city. Since 1894 she has been a member of the city school board, and in 1896 she was elected a member of the board of county school examiners and has since served in that capacity. She now resides in a beautiful home on North King street, and it is the center of a cultured society circle.
As printed in History of Greene County, Ohio : embracing the organization of the county, its division into townships, sketches of local interest gleaned from the pioneers from 1803 to 1840, together with a roster o (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Thomas Steele
The printed record stops around 1881. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.