"Portrait & Biographical Record of the Willamette Valley Oregon." Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1903. p. 534 and 539. JOHN F. CALBREATH HON. JOHN F. CALBREATH, one of the distinguished physicians of the state of Oregon, now serving as superintendent of the Oregon State Insane Asylum at Salem, was born in Weston, W. Va., June 1, 1854. His father, John Calbreath, was a native of Augusta, county, Va., born near Stanton, and his paternal grandfather was a planter of the Shenandoah valley. He was of Scotch descent, his ancestors having been members of one of the ancient Highland clans. John Calbreath followed farming near Weston, W. Va., until the time of the Civil war, when his property was practically destroyed by the contending armies. He removed to Iowa in 1864 and for a year resided at Cincinnati in that state. In 1865 he brought his family across the plains, traveling with a party of two hundred through the Indian country, the trip consuming six months. He located at Philomath, Benton county, Ore., where he leased land and began farming. Later he moved to eastern Oregon to engage in the cattle business, but died soon afterward, in the fall of 1872. In his religious faith he was a Presbyterian. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Nancy Christ, was also a native of Augusta county, Va., a daughter of Daniel Christ, who was born in that state and was the owner of an extensive plantation. He died in the early 70‚s, having attained the age of over one hundred years. His daughter, Mrs. Calbreath, the mother of our subject, died in 1872. Her children were: Thomas W., a farmer of Wasco county, Ore.; Daniel M., of Polk county, Ore.; Mrs. Janet Brown, who died in Harney county, Ore. and J. F. When but ten years of age Dr. Calbreath accompanied his parents to Iowa, and the following year came with them to Oregon. On account of the war, which interfered with the conduct of the schools of the south, his education in youth was limited, but after arriving in Oregon he attended school, including a course in Philomath College. He did not go to eastern Oregon with the family, but remained in Philomath College for a time, and since leaving that institution has made his own way in the world. At the age of sixteen he rented a farm, which he operated for two years, having one hundred and ten acres planted to wheat. He then began studying medicine, having determined to make the medical profession his field of labor. At the age of seventeen he had begun teaching, and that profession, combined with farming, enabled him to gain sufficient means to pay the expenses of a course in medicine. In 1872 he began study under the direction of Dr. J. R. Bayley, of Corvallis, and the following year entered the medical department of Willamette University, where he remained for one term. He next became a student in Poland Medical College, San Francisco, from which he was graduated in 1875 with the degree of M. D. Locating in La Fayette, Yamhill county, Ore., Dr. Calbreath then engaged in the practice of medicine with Dr. Littlefield, an association which was maintained until 1886, when Dr. Calbreath moved to McMinnville. There he became a partner of Dr. E. E. Goucher, under the firm name of Calbreath & Goucher, and in his chosen field of labor he met with gratifying success, working his way upward to a position of prominence. In 1896 he went to New York City and took a course in the New York Post-Graduate College, after which he returned to Oregon and continued the active practice of his profession until appointed superintendent of the Oregon State Insane Asylum, in January, 1900. He then moved to Salem. Dr. Calbreath's administration of the affairs of the asylum has been one of lasting benefit to the institution and has won for him the highest approval of his contemporaries. He has gradually made a number of much-needed improvements in connection with the establishment, having added five new wards, besides two more in the course of construction. There are one thousand acres in the asylum farm, which is located five miles from Salem, while the main buildings of the institution are located on a tract of two hundred acres. There is also an orchard of thirty acres at the farm, which is located five miles from Salem, while the main buildings of the institution are located on a tract of two hundred acres. There is also an orchard of thirty acres at the asylum proper. Dr. Calbreath has made a close study of the needs of the institution and its inmates, and has not only carefully performed his duties as physician, but has also given special attention to sanitary conditions, to outdoor and indoor exercise, and to the minutest details bearing upon the health and general condition of the thirteen hundred unfortunate persons under his charge. His administration has demonstrated the fact that he is highly qualified for the work which he is now so ably performing. In a profession where advancement depends upon merit and skill he has steadily progressed until he stands to-day among the most able physicians of the state. In Corvallis, in 1874, Dr. Calbreath was married to Miss Irene Smith, a native of Yamhill county, and a daughter of Sidney Smith, who came from Ohio to Oregon in 1839. Mrs. Calbreath is a lady of superior culture and refinement. She is a graduate of St. Mary's Academy of Portland, and prior to her marriage she was a member of the faculty of the Oregon Agricultural College at Corvallis. To Dr. and Mrs. Calbreath have been born two daughters, Helen and Evelene. A pronounced Republican and prominent in political circles, Dr. Calbreath was elected in 1894, as his party's nominee from Yamhill county to the state senate, receiving a large majority. He served in the sessions of 1895 and 1897, and was a member of the Ways and Means Committee and chairman of the Committee on Medicine during both sessions. He was not a candidate for the second term, and returning home he resumed the practice of his profession. In 1896 he was a delegate to the Republican national convention at St. Louis, and was made vice-president of the Oregon delegation. Socially Dr. Calbreath is past master of La Fayette Lodge No. 3, A. F. & A. M.; past high priest of McMinnville Chapter, R. A. M.; has taken all the degrees in the Scottish Rite up to and including the Consistory, and is a member of Al Kader Temple, N. M. S., of Portland. He is also a member of the Uniformed Rank, K. P., and is now serving his second term as a member of the board of regents of the State Normal School at Monmouth. Besides has [sic] other interests, he is the owner of a fine prune orchard and farming properties in Yamhill county. His life record is commendable and honorable, and his profession career shows the result of close application and a strong mentality. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in October 2010 by Kimberly Nesbitt. For more information on the individuals in this biography, please contact Kimberly by email: kanesbitt -at- msn.com.