Hillsborough County FlArchives Biographies.....Caruthers, Thomas J. January 1, 1863 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Nancy Rayburn Naev@earthlink.net July 8, 2007, 2:12 am

Author: The History of Florida:  Past & Present, The Lewis Publishing Co., Vol. II, pg.100

     CARUTHERS, THOMAS J.  In studying the lives and character of prominent 
men it is but natural to enquire as to the contributing sources of their 
success and the motives which actuated their efforts.  Success is not entirely 
a matter of genius, but rather the results of experience and sound judgment.  
The careers of those who stand highest in public esteem prove in nearly every 
case that they are those who have devoted their lives to effective study and 
close application to business, and have risen gradually, fighting their way 
against all opposition.  Self-reliance, conscientiousness, energy and honesty 
are some of the qualities that produce some of the highest emoluments and 
greatest rewards.  To these may be attributed in large measure the success of 
THOMAS J. CARUTHERS, president of the Caruthers Lumber Company of Tampa, and 
one of the leading citizens of Hillsborough County.  He was born in Sumter 
County, Florida, January 1, 1863, a son of THOMAS and SUSAN (MONROE) 
CARUTHERS.  The father was born in Burke County, Georgia, and the mother was 
also born in that locality, and they were brought to Florida by their parents 
when children, in 1844, location being made in what is now Sumter County.  
They became the parents of eight children, five of whom survive, THOMAS J. 
CARUTHERS being the seventh in order of birth.
     Growing up in his native county, THOMAS J. CARUTHERS attended the common 
schools and then took a course in the primary department of Emory College.  
After a short experience at Oxford, Mr. CARUTHERS came to Tampa in 1891 and 
established himself in business as a wood dealer, continuing to conduct this 
yard for twenty-nine years.  In 1920 he branched out and established the 
Caruthers Lumber Company, which he has already developed to large proportions.
     In 1884 Mr. CARUTHERS married JESSIE KING, who was born in Missouri, and 
they became the parents of seven children, namely:  CHRISTIE, who is the widow 
of FRANK DORSEY, and lives in California;  ETHEL, who also lives in 
California;  WALLACE, who is an electrician of Tampa;  LAWRENCE, who is an 
attorney practicing at the bar of Charleston, South Carolina;  MABEL, who is 
the wife of J. H. ZANES, of New York City:  and WILBUR and HERBERT M., both of 
whom are unmarried and associated with their father in the lumber business.  
Mr. CARUTHERS belongs to the Tampa Heights Methodist Episcopal Church, of 
which he ahs been a steward and trustee since its organization twenty years 
ago.  The old homestead in Sumter County is still owned by members of the 
Caruthers family, and during the seventy years it has been owned by the 
Caruthers there have been but three deaths on the farm.  Careful, conservative 
and possessed of good judgment, Mr. CARUTHERS has gone steadily ahead, 
widening the scope of his business as occasion demanded or circumstances 
justified, and in addition to scoring a success in a material way he has at 
the same time lived the right life and been an example to others.  Public 
spirited and charitable, Mr. CARUTHERS always finds time for studying and 
fostering movements which aim to improve the public weal.


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