Representative John Rogers McBride

John Rogers McBride (August 22, 1832 – July 20, 1904) was an American lawyer, jurist, and politician who served one term as a Republican U.S. Representative from Oregon from 1863 to 1865. A member of the Republican Party, he contributed to the legislative process during a single term in office, representing the interests of his constituents in the House of Representatives during a critical period in American history, the midst of the Civil War.

McBride was born near St. Louis, Missouri, on August 22, 1832, the son of James McBride. In 1851 he moved with his family to Lafayette, in what would become the state of Oregon. Soon after his arrival he became involved in local educational affairs, and at the age of 22 he was appointed superintendent of schools in Lafayette. During these early years in Oregon he began reading law, preparing for a professional career in the legal field.

After completing his legal studies, McBride was admitted to the bar in 1855 and commenced the practice of law in Lafayette, Oregon. He quickly became active in territorial and then state politics. In 1857 he served as a delegate to the Oregon Constitutional Convention, representing Yamhill County and participating in the drafting of the state’s founding document as Oregon moved toward statehood. His growing prominence in public life led to his election to the Oregon Senate in 1860, where he continued to build his reputation as a Republican leader in the new state.

In 1862 McBride was elected as a Republican to the United States House of Representatives from Oregon. He served one term in Congress from 1863 to 1865. His service in Congress occurred during a significant period in American history, as the nation was engaged in the Civil War and confronting questions of Union, emancipation, and reconstruction. As a member of the House of Representatives, McBride participated in the democratic process and contributed to the legislative work of the 38th Congress while representing the interests of his Oregon constituents. In 1864 he sought the Republican Party’s nomination for a second term but was unsuccessful.

Following his congressional service, McBride continued his public career in federal territorial administration and the judiciary. On January 28, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln nominated him to be Chief Justice of the Idaho Territory, a position that required Senate confirmation. The United States Senate confirmed his nomination on February 14, 1865. McBride served as Chief Justice of the Idaho Territorial Supreme Court until his resignation on April 23, 1868, presiding over the early development of the territory’s legal system during a formative period in its history.

In 1869 President Ulysses S. Grant appointed McBride superintendent of the United States assay office in Boise, Idaho, reflecting continued confidence in his administrative abilities. He also remained active in national Republican politics. McBride served as a member of the Republican National Committee from the Idaho Territory in 1872, and later, after relocating further north, as a member of the Republican National Committee from Washington from 1880 to 1892, participating in party organization and strategy at the national level over two decades.

Alongside his political and judicial work, McBride maintained an active legal practice in several western communities. He practiced law in Boise, Idaho, and later in Salt Lake City, Utah, before moving his practice to Spokane, Washington. In Spokane he continued his professional work until his death on July 20, 1904. He was interred at Germany Hill Cemetery in St. Helens, Oregon, returning in death to the state where his public career had begun.

McBride was part of a prominent Oregon political family. His youngest brother, George W. McBride, served as a United States Senator from Oregon, while another younger brother, Thomas A. McBride, served three times as chief justice of the Oregon Supreme Court. Together, the McBride brothers played significant roles in the political and judicial life of Oregon and the broader Pacific Northwest during the latter half of the nineteenth century.