Originally from Scotland, John Carruthers came to the United States in 1852 and settled in Wisconsin in 1856.
From History of the Saint Croix Valley (ARC F 587 .S14 E3 1909 v. 1 in the UWRF Archives)
John Carruthers for over fifty-two years has been a resident of Pierce County, Wisconsin. He came here in 1856 and worked for the Powell Brothers until breaking out of the Civil War, when he enlisted in Company A, Twelfth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and served for three years, and then re-enlisted in Company F, Fourth United States Veteran Volunteers. He took part in a great many of the engagements of the western campaign, and received his discharge at Louisville, Ky. Mr. Carruthers was born in Scotland, May 12, 1832, and came to the United States in 1852. He was educated in the public schools of his native place and assisted on the farm of his father, Peter Carruthers, who died in Canada at about eighty-five years of age. The mother died in Scotland in 1852, a few weeks after our subject arrived in America. Upon coming to this country Mr. Carruthers settled in St. Lawrence county, New York, where he remained about four years, and then he removed to Wisconsin. After he returned from the war he purchased 120 acres of land in Clifton township, which he farmed until he moved to the city of River Falls, in 1905. He married Elizabeth Porteous. She was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, and there she was educated. Her parents were David and Margaret Porteous, who both died in New York state. Mr. Carruthers returned to his old home in Scotland about 1898, after an abscence of forty-eight years, to visit an older sister, but she died a few moments before he reached there. Mr. and Mrs. Carruthers have had born to them four children, two boys and two girls. They were born in Pierce county and educated at the district schools and the State Normal. Anna was the first child and is the wife of William P. Corcoran, a farmer of River Falls township. They have six children- Charles, Wayne, Jessie, Anna, Ethel and Edra. Edwin P. is the second child and resides in South Dakota. Meade D. resides at home. Jennie is the wife of William F. Phillips and lives at Winona, Minn. They have two children- Blake Spencer and Faith Elizabeth.
The Civil War and Northwest Wisconsin 