John W. Galbreath

Who was John W. Galbreath?

John Wilmer Galbreath was an American building contractor, sportsman and philanthropist.

Born in Derby, Ohio, he grew up in Mt. Sterling Ohio. He graduated from Ohio University in 1922 and was a member of the Beta Chapter of Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity. The non-denominational Galbreath Memorial Chapel on the Ohio University College Green was donated by Galbreath in memory of his first wife, Helen Mauck who died in 1946.

In 1955, he married Dorothy Bryan Firestone, widow of Russell A. Firestone of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company.

John Galbreath made a fortune in commercial property development, building skyscrapers in the United States and abroad. However, he may be best known for his role in the Pittsburgh Pirates as the franchise owner from 1945 until March, 1986, during which the Pirates won three world championships in 1960, 1971, and 1979. He was the first owner to break the so-called "Million Dollar Mark" when he signed Dave Parker to a multi-year contract in 1979. He also signed Hall of Fame player Roberto Clemente.

He graduated from Mount Sterling High School.