James C. Hawthorne

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Hawthorne's grave at Lone Fir Cemetery. Many of his patients are buried near his grave.

Dr. James C. Hawthorne (March 12, 1819–February 15, 1881, commonly known as J.C. Hawthorne) was the founder of the Oregon Hospital for the Insane in East Portland, Oregon, United States. He was involved in public affairs, and was a member of the Whig Party and, later, the Democratic Party.

Hawthorne was born in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, March 12, 1819 to James and Mary (Donald) Hawthorne, who were of English descent. His father was a farmer and a graduate of Washington College, Pennsylvania. J.C. commenced the study of medicine under Dr. Bascom of Mercer, Pennsylvania, and later earned a degree from the Medical University at Louisville, Kentucky.^[1]

He commenced practice in Louisville with his cousin, Dr. Hawthorne, continuing until 1850, when he went to California. He then located at Auburn, Placer County, and engaged in a large general practice and hospital work, where he became widely known and gained an enviable reputation for his professional skill. In 1854 he was elected State Senator from Placer County, and served two terms.^[1] (Lansing Stout, another future Oregonian, represented Placer County in California's lower house at the time.^[2])

In 1857 he moved to Portland, where he was well received by the medical community, and soon acquired a large private practice. In 1858 he took charge of the county hospital under a contract from the County Court, subsequently establishing a private hospital for the insane. The hospital was so successful that the State, during Governor Whitaker's term, made a contract with him to assume the care of the insane of the State. This contract was from time to time renewed by the State Legislature, and until his death, February 15, 1881, Dr. Hawthorne had charge as Superintendent and Physician of the unfortunate wards of the State, which at the time of his death numbered some 500 inmates.^[1]

Dr. Hawthorne was known for his kindness toward his patients and his devotion to his work. During the twenty-one years that he had charge of the Oregon Hospital for the Insane, it became widely known and was regarded as one of the best institutions of its kind in the United States. Though Dr. Hawthorne was highly proficient in every department of his profession, he will always be most highly honored by the record he made as authority upon diseases of the mind. He gained national renown in the treatment of insanity, and the curative rate of his institution was considered equal to that of any similar establishment in the United States.^[1]

Dr. Hawthorne took an active interest in public affairs. Politically, he was originally a Whig, but after the overthrow of that party he became a Democrat. He commanded respect from members of both parties, and he was retained in office for many years when the State was under Republican rule. He declined to become a candidate for high public stations.^[1]

He was a Christian, and for many years was a consistent member of the Episcopal Church. He was a productive and highly-regarded man at the time of his death.^[1]

Dr. Hawthorne was twice married. His first wife, Miss Emma Curry, a niece of Congressman Kelly, of Pennsylvania, died in Portland, in 1862, but a few weeks following her marriage. He was married to his second wife, in 1865, formerly Mrs. E. C. Hite, of Sacramento, one of California's favorite, pioneer daughters. Two daughters, Louise H. and Catharine, were born to this union. They inherited large real-estate interests in East Portland.^[1]