Career
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.
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. Caven was never married.
