Robert Lee Caruthers1,2,3

Family Chart
ID# 16869, (1865 - 1911)
FatherJohn P. Caruthers4,5,7 (9 Jul 1818 - 3 Sep 1886)
MotherFlora Rivers McNeill4,5,6 (26 Aug 1843 - 29 May 1913)

Key Events:

Birth: 5 Jan 1865, "Oak Grove", Monroe Co., Mississippi8,9,10,11
Marriage: 7 Mar 1887, Cook Co., Illinois, Mary Burton Danks (14 Aug 1865 - 15 Feb 1925)12,13,14
Death: 5 Aug 19111,15
Burial: 7 Aug 1911, Graceland Cemetery, Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois16,17
ChartsDescendants of Dr. Davis Green Tuck
Descendants of David Dutt/Toot
AncestryThe Dutt/Toot Family
The Tuck Family

Copyright Notice

Narrative:

     Robert Lee Caruthers was born on 5 Jan 1865 in "Oak Grove", Monroe Co., Mississippi, though some records, including published biographies, show he was born in Memphis, apparently because he spent most of his childhood there. Some of those records, including his grave marker, show he was born a year earlier, which is impossible because his younger brother was born in Nov 1963.8,9,10,11
     He moved to Memphis, Tennessee, with his parents after the War.18,19,20 He appeared on the 1870 Federal Census of Shelby Co., Tennessee, in the household of his parents.21
     He moved to Chicago with his parents in Sep 1877.22,23,24 He appeared on the 1880 Federal Census of Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, in the household of his parents.7

Becoming a Star Professional Baseball Player --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     In 1883 Robert's baseball abilities led to a professional position when he became an outfielder with the Grand Rapids Rippers of the Northwestern League. The next year he pitched and played right field for Minneapolis. At the time it was not unusual for a pitcher to play another position when he was not pitching, though he did it more than most.25
Bob Caruthers, Brooklyn Trolley-Dodgers
Library of Congress, reproduction no. LC-DIG-bbc-0560f

     He broke into the major league 7 Sep 1884 when joined the St. Louis Browns in the American Association as a pitcher-outfielder, at age 20. He pitched for the Browns as they won their league pennant in 1885, 1886, and 1887, as well as the World’s Championship Series" in 1886. He won 40 games in 1885, more than half the team's victories.25
     He moved to 4 Burton Place St. with his parents by 1885.26
     Robert married Mary Burton Danks, daughter of William Newton Danks and Susan A. Llewellyn, on 7 Mar 1887 in Cook Co., Illinois.12,13,14 They reportedly received wedding gifts worth $4,000.25
     Robert seems to have worked at least part time at his older brother James's hardware business when he wasn't on the road playing baseball.27
     He was traded to Brooklyn, signing a contract with that club 14 Dec 1887, after the teams won over his mother's objections to him moving there. When asked about the terms he said "I will get a larger salary than any ball player has ever received, but I can’t say what it is. My mouth is closed." St. Louis newspapers reported that St. Louis team would receive $8,250 and Robert would get $4,000 in salary plus $2,000 in bonuses. He did well in the 1888 season, and better in 1889, winning 40 games again, leading the league in both wins and won-lost percentage as Brooklyn win its first-ever American Association pennant. But his performance declined in 1890 and1891.25

The Star Falls --- Text Stolen from ReigelRidge.com !! ---


     He returned to St. Louis in 1892, but his pitching arm was clearly gone. He did play more than 100 games as an outfielder. After St. Louis released him he played a few games for Chicago and Cincinnati before going back to Grand Rapids, where he had started. He played a few more years for various teams in the minor leagues, the last being the Burlington Hawkeyes, in 1898.25,28
     Robert seems to have worked at least part time at his older brother James's hardware business when he wasn't on the road playing baseball.29,30
     Robert and Mary appeared on the 1900 Federal Census of Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, at 3751 Elmwood Pl., enumerated 2 Jun 1900, reporting they were renting their home, part of a three-family unit. Their children Robert and David were listed as living with them.31
     After his playing days were over Robert became an umpire, but his record was less successful in that role. He moving consistently downward from the majors to the minors, umpiring for the American League in 1902 and 1903, then in the Western League , and later in the Three-I League, where he was in 1910. He was often involved in controversies, some of them noteworthy.25,32
     Robert and Mary appeared on the 1910 Federal Census of Peoria, Peoria Co., Illinois, in the household of William Newton Danks and Susan A. Llewellyn, her parents.33
     Robert died on 5 Aug 1911 at age 46.1,15 He was buried on 7 Aug 1911 in Graceland Cemetery, Chicago, Cook Co., Illinois, in the lot owned by his uncle, Malcom M. McNeill.16,17

Children:
     Children with Mary Burton Danks:

  • Robert Lee Caruthers31,34 (9 Oct 1889 - 1 Oct 1918)
  • David Newton Llewellyn Caruthers35,31,36 (3 Feb 1891 - 7 Dec 1905)
  • Dorothy Caruthers37 (17 Jul 1892 - 24 Jun 1893)
  • Harry Caruthers38 (9 Oct 1899 - bef 1900)

Citations

  1. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 52811039, Robert Lee “Bob” Caruthers, includes tombstone photo showing name as Robert Lee Caruthers.
  2. [S630] Jno. P. Caruthers household, 1870 U.S. Census, Shelby Co., Tennessee, shows name as Robert Caruthers.
  3. [S1371] John P. Cruthers household, 1880 U.S. Census, Cook Co., Illinois, shows name as Bobert L. Cruthers.
  4. [S1225] Anderson, "Rebecca Tuck," e-mail to author, 11 Jun 2007.
  5. [S630] Jno. P. Caruthers household, 1870 U.S. Census, Shelby Co., Tennessee, shows them apparently living as parent and child.
  6. [S2061] Macon, John and Edward Tuck of Halifax County, pg 60.
  7. [S1371] John P. Cruthers household, 1880 U.S. Census, Cook Co., Illinois.
  8. [S9033] Malcom Caruthers letter to Martha Rivers McNeill Boddie, 26 Jan 1865, dated at Oak Grove, announcing his new [half] brother Robert.
  9. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 52811039, Robert Lee “Bob” Caruthers, shows date, with year as 1864, and includes tombstone photo showing same.
  10. [S630] Jno. P. Caruthers household, 1870 U.S. Census, Shelby Co., Tennessee, shows age 5 and state, as Mississippi.
  11. [S9009] Wm. N. Danks household, 1910 U.S. Census, Peoria Co., Illinois, shows age 46 and state, as Tennessee.
  12. [S4935] "Illinois, Cook County Marriages, 1871-1920," FamilySearch.org, record for Robert L. Caruthers and Mamie B. Danks, citing record no. 580, shows date, county, and state.
  13. [S9011] Robert L. Caruthers household, 1900 U.S. Census, Cook Co., Illinois, shows married 11 years.
  14. [S9009] Wm. N. Danks household, 1910 U.S. Census, Peoria Co., Illinois, shows married 23 years.
  15. [S9029] Graceland Cemetery and Arboretum, online burial records, record for Robert Lee Carruthers, shows date.
  16. [S500] Findagrave.com, online, memorial # 52811039, Robert Lee “Bob” Caruthers , includes tombstone photo.
  17. [S9029] Graceland Cemetery and Arboretum, online burial records, record for Robert Lee Carruthers, shows lot and date.
  18. [S9032] Thomas Henry McNeill letter to Malcom McNeill, 17 Oct 1866, shows that Judge Caruthers & family had returned to Memphis on the second, but context is not clear whether they had returned then from living in Mississippi or from some trip.
  19. [S4111] Memphis City Directory, 1866, pg 96, shows residence on Front; 1867, pg 8, shows residence as country.
  20. [S8999] J. P. Caruthers, Pardons Under Amnesty Proclamations, compiled 1865–1869, dated 26 Jul 1866, shows him as of Memphis.
  21. [S630] Jno. P. Caruthers household, 1870 U.S. Census, Shelby Co., Tennessee.
  22. [S8995] "Personal," The Memphis Daily Appeal, 2 Sep 1877, reports on postcard from Hon. John P. Caruthers shows left Tuesday for Chicago.
  23. [S8982] Judge John P. Caruthers obituary, The Daily Inter Ocean, shows year.
  24. [S9001] The Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1878, pg 246.
  25. [S9016] Faber, "Bob Caruthers."
  26. [S9001] The Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1885, pg 296.
  27. [S9001] The Lakeside Annual Directory of the City of Chicago, 1887, pg 320, shows James' occupation as salesman; 1888, pg 344, shows James, Robert, and firm.
  28. [S9011] Robert L. Caruthers household, 1900 U.S. Census, Cook Co., Illinois, shows occupation as baseball player.
  29. [S9003] James Caruthers household, 1900 U.S. Census, Cook Co., Illinois, show occupation as salesman hdware.
  30. [S9004] James P. Carruthers household, 1910 U.S. Census, Cook Co., Illinois, shows occupation as salesman, industry as hardware.
  31. [S9011] Robert L. Caruthers household, 1900 U.S. Census, Cook Co., Illinois.
  32. [S9009] Wm. N. Danks household, 1910 U.S. Census, Peoria Co., Illinois, shows occupation as umpire, induustry as baseball.
  33. [S9009] Wm. N. Danks household, 1910 U.S. Census, Peoria Co., Illinois.
  34. [S4937] "Illinois, Cook County Deaths, 1878-1939, 1959-1995," FamilySearch.org, record for Robert Lee Caruthers, citing record no. 62.
  35. [S7613] "New York, New York City Births, 1846-1909," FamilySearch.org, record for David Newton Caruthers.
  36. [S9010] David Llewellyn Caruthers, Certificate of Death.
  37. [S7613] "New York, New York City Births, 1846-1909," FamilySearch.org, record for Dorrothy Caruthers.
  38. [S7613] "New York, New York City Births, 1846-1909," FamilySearch.org, record for Harry Caruthers, citing cn 7973.