Caroline Louise Endres

Who was Caroline Louise Endres?

Caroline Louise Endres was a 39-year-old (thirty-nine) American nurse who gained historical significance as a survivor of the Titanic disaster in 1912. Born on June 14, 1872, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, she was employed as the private nurse to Mrs. Madeleine Astor, wife of the wealthy businessman John Jacob Astor IV. Endres’s survival story and subsequent life journey offer a unique perspective on the Titanic tragedy and early 20th-century American society.

Early Life and Family

A Daughter of Immigrants

Caroline, often known as Carrie, was born into a family with German roots. Her parents were:

Father: Otto Endres (born 1836), a tailor by profession
Mother: Louisa Raifstanger (born 1851)

The couple had married on March 30, 1871, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Caroline had one known sibling:

Brother: Frank J. Endres (born March 19, 1874)

Childhood and Loss

Caroline’s early life was marked by significant family changes:

1880: The family appears in the census, living in Great Barrington
June 19, 1881: Caroline’s mother, Louisa, passed away
1883: Her father remarried to Mina “Minnie” J. Raifstanger (born 1850), who was Caroline’s aunt

This early loss and family reconfiguration likely had a profound impact on young Caroline’s life.

Education and Career

Nursing Education

Caroline Endres received her education at St. Luke’s Hospital School of Nursing in New York. This training would set the course for her future career and, unknowingly, her place in history.

Employment with the Astors

By 1912, Caroline had secured a prestigious position as the private nurse to Mrs. Madeleine Astor. This role placed her in the orbit of one of America’s wealthiest and most influential families.

The Titanic Journey

Boarding the Ill-Fated Ship

Caroline boarded the Titanic at Cherbourg as a first-class passenger. Her travel details included:

Cabin: C45
Ticket number: 17754 (traveling on the Astor’s ticket)
Fare: £247 10s (£247.50)

Survival and Rescue

On the fateful night of April 14-15, 1912, Caroline Endres survived the sinking of the Titanic. Key details of her survival include:

Lifeboat: 4
Fellow survivors: Mrs. Madeleine Astor and her maid, Rosalie Bidois

Post-Titanic Life

Immediate Aftermath

The extent of Caroline’s continued employment with Mrs. Astor after the Titanic disaster remains unclear. However, her survival brought relief to her family, as evidenced by her brother Frank’s statement to The Worcester Telegram on April 16, 1912:

“I could not sleep at all last night, but I feel relieved to hear that the saloon passengers have been saved for she was among them. If she is I will hear from her upon her arrival in New York.”

Career Changes and Travel

Caroline’s life after the Titanic was marked by changes in employment and extensive travel:

1915: Possibly employed by lawyer George L. Rives, traveling from Nassau to New York
1918: Worked for the American Red Cross in Europe
1923: Applied for a passport, listing her profession as secretary
1933: Traveled aboard the Roma, giving an address in Lynford, Pennsylvania

Later Life and Legacy

Final Years

By 1940, Caroline had settled in Binghamton, New York. Her later years were characterized by:

Living as a lodger on Oak Street, Binghamton
Never marrying
Residing in a nursing home in her final years

Passing and Remembrance

Caroline Louise Endres passed away on January 11, 1964, at the age of 91 (ninety-one). She was laid to rest in Maple Hill Cemetery, Hanover, Pennsylvania.

Caroline Endres’s life story, from her immigrant roots to her survival of one of history’s most famous maritime disasters, offers a compelling glimpse into the social and historical landscape of early 20th-century America. Her resilience in the face of personal loss and global tragedy stands as a testament to the human spirit.