Elgin, Union County, Oregon
Many Pay Tribute To Late Dr. McNaughton
Well Known Character Given Final and Appropriate Honors
Dr. Thomas McNaughton died February 9th, 1916, after an illness of five months, terminating in Pleuro-Pneumonia, which was the immediate cause of death.
During his illness anxious inquires were made daily from homes where he has been a welcome visitor in times of illness and from others where he was esteemed as well as a friend or neighbor. When it became evident that the end was near, sorrow over his taking was manifestly general.
He died at his residence in Elgin, attended by his wife and several members of the family.
Funeral services were held at the City Hall, where the body lay in state one hour before the services, Feb 12th, at 1:00 O’clock PM.
The services were conducted under the auspices of Elgin Lodge No. 98 A.F.A.M. Rev. H.L. Willis, pastor of the First Methodist Church, of Elgin, delivered the sermon, in which he paid an eloquent tribute to the memory of the deceased Doctor, accompanied with remarks, suited to the occasion. HE was assisted with a quartet which included Rev. L.S. Chapman, of the Methodist Church, who at the request of the family sang a solo, “Come Ye Disconsolate”, which was a great favorite with the decease.
The services were largely attended, many from the country coming considerable distances to be present; and many teams accompanied the remains to the cemetery.
Elgin Lodge No. 98 A.F.A.M. acted as escort to the cemetery. There the members of the Masonic lodge formed hallow square about the grave and J.H. Henderson, W.M. of the lodge conducted the Masonic burial service. The members of the lodge marched by the grave, each depositing a twig of evergreen, emblematic of the immortality of the soul. The floral offerings were many, including an emblem from Elgin Lodge A.F.A.M.
Besides a host of friends and several grandchildren, he leaves to mourn his loss a wife (Sarah Sadie Wells McNaughton) and nine children. All of the children were present at the funeral except a daughter residing in Boston, Mass. The names of the children are: Mrs. Agnes Jones (Joseph W), Elgin; Mrs. Laura McGuirk, Boston; Thomas McNaughton Jr., Elgin; Mrs. Katherine Rider (William C.), North Yakima; Mrs. Pearl Stubblefield, Elgin; Mrs. Mary Willson (Herbert O.), Twin Falls, Id; Hugh McNaughton, Elgin; Mrs. Ruth DeBoie (Clyde O.), Joseph, Or; Miss Ethel McNaughton, North Yakima.
The following biographical sketch was prepared by a friend of the Doctor’s household;
Dr. Thomas McNaughton was born July 4, 1846, at Glasgow, Scotland, where his boyhood was passed. He received his early education in the Common Schools of that city, and later pursued advanced studies at Dublin, Ireland. Returning to Glasgow he commenced medical studies.
He emigrated to America in 1866 at the age of 20 years, where he pursued his medical studies an in 1874 engaged in the practice of medicine, locating at Pella, Iowa. After a course in the Wisconsin Electric Medical College he came to Oregon and located in Summerville in 1884. A year later he moved to Elgin, where he has engaged in the practice of medicine continuously since. His was the second residence built in Elgin, and here he and his wife who survives him, raised a numerous family. Enjoying a wide acquaintance, he was especially well known to the early settlers for many of whom he spent many an arduous day’s work in visiting, entailing long drives in inclement weather, coming and going at all hours of the day and night. Compensation was no object with him. He gave his services as freely and with as much solicitude in the home of the humble as in those of wealth, never seeking to spare himself.
Possessed of a keen sense of humor and interesting personality, he was always a welcome visitor and held in high esteem by those of his acquaintance. But, in nothing did he excel more that in simple home life affection and duties. He was most kind to that one nearest and dearest, consulting her in every enterprise, sharing with her all his plans and enterprises, and exemplifying the home ties among the family in a marked degree.
Reared in the faith of the Presbyterian Church he became an active member in 1883 at Milo, Iowa. He was one of the founders of the Masonic Order in the Northwest and became a member of Elgin Lodge A.F.A.M. soon after taking up his residence at Elgin, and has been an active member in good standing since.
Doctor McNaughton will be sadly missed in the home, in his profession, in different societies of which he was a member, and in his every relation in life.
The Elgin Recorder
Thursday February 17, 1916
Contributed by: Jane M Spencer