John Culbreth was the son of William Kemp Culbreth and Margaret Morris Pearsall. He is recorded in contemporary sources as a successful farmer with intent to attend NC Agricultural and Mechanical Arts (now known as NCSU) around 1900. In 1904, he married Ellen Ora Carlyle, who died in childbirth in 1907. In 1909, he married Daisy Freuhauff of Jacksonville, Florida, granddaughter ofSpanish emigre Antonio Mayo. 

They had the following following children:

1. William Kemp Culbreth (Dec 14, 1910-Dec 11, 1973) married Beatrice Charles Marshall on August 10, 1935. 

2. Margaret Pearsall Culbreth (May 11, 1913 - Apr 4, 2000) married Harry Barr Chapman in 1948.

3. Theresa Mayo Culbreth (May 11, 1913 - May 20, 1999) married Grady Wise Townsend on Dec 25, 1935.

4. John Thomas Culbreth (Aug 13, 1916 - Aug 10, 1990) married Martha Belle Soles Bryan on Jan 4, 1947.

On January 28, 1919, John Thomas Culbreth was fatally shot by Dallie Sampson in a dispute over cotton seed. Daisy Freuhauff died six years later, November 4, 1925 of cervical cancer. The four orphaned children were sent to their relatives; William Kemp lived with his cousin Newt Culbreath's family in Florida, the twins Margaret and Theresa "Esse", lived with their aunt Annie Gaitley; and the young John Thomas was sent to his aunt Adrian Stubbs.

Photo 1: John Thomas Culbreth Portrait. Photo 2: John Thomas Culbreth Parade, 1907. Photo 3: Daisy Freuhauff, 1907. Photo 4: Children of John Thomas Culbreth and Daisy Freuhauff