John Caven (Indianapolis mayor)

John Caven (12 April 1824 in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania – 9 March 1905) was an Indiana politician and Freemason. He was the 9th and 12th mayor of the city of Indianapolis, Indiana as well as an Indiana state senator. Caven was born in Pennsylvania from Scotch-Irish and English American parents. He moved to Indianapolis in 1845, began law studies two years later, and opened a practice. In May 1863, Caven, running as a Republican, was elected mayor without opposition. He won a second term in 1865. Caven then served two terms in the Indiana Senate (1869–1873) before returning to serve another three consecutive terms (1875–1881) as mayor of Indianapolis. He won a third term as a state senator in 1887. Caven was never married.