WILLIAM CARUTHERS, a farmer, residing two miles north of Downey, has been a citizen of Los Angeles County as long, perhaps, as any other man, having come to the county in 1865. He first purchased 146 acres of land, and at once turned over half of it to a neighbor. The part which he retained he has now in a high state of cultivation, has engaged in general farming and has made a success of his calling. He has over 1,100 walnut trees and six acres of apples, peaches and oranges, some of the oranges being of the finest varieties in the county. Mr. Caruthers was born in Louisiana, in 1830, the son of John and Frances (Murphy) Caruthers. His father was a native of Virginia and his mother of Missouri. His grandfather was a pioneer of Virginia and subsequently moved to Missouri, where he died at a good old age. John Caruthers moved from Missouri to Louisiana in 1830, and, after raising one crop there, removed to Texas, when the subject of this sketch was less than one year old. There he was engaged in stock-raising and farming until his death, which occurred in 1861. He had twelve children, ten of whom grew to maturity and six are still living. William was educated in Texas and was married there February 18, 1856, to Miss Amanda Perry, of Tennessee. While in Texas their oldest child was born, Zora, now the wife of L. M. Grider, of Downey. The rest of their children were born in California, and their names are as follows: William; Angeline, now the wife of H. H. Grossmayer, of San Bernardino; Jefferson D.; Mary, wife of J. P. Stevens, also of San Bernardino; Martha, Hugh and John. Mrs. Caruthers and her daughters are consistent church members. Mr. Caruthers is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity, Lodge No. 220, at Downey. Politically, he is an active worker in the ranks of the Democratic party.

Source: An Illustrated History of Los Angeles County, California; Chicago, The Lewis Publishing Company, 1889 Page 419