William Kirkpatrick McNaught
Encyclopedia
William Kirkpatrick McNaught (September 6, 1845 – 1919) was an Ontario
manufacturer and political figure. He represented Toronto North
in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
from 1906 to 1914 as a Conservative
member.
He was born in Fergus
, Canada West, the son of John McNaught, a Scottish
immigrant, and was educated in Brantford
. He served in the militia during the time of the Fenian raids
before continuing his studies at the Toronto Commercial College. He worked at a hardware store in Toronto
and then apprenticed in jewelry and silverware wholesale before establishing a jewelry wholesale company with a partner. In 1873, he married Caroline Eliza Lugsden. McNaught later became president of the American Watch Glass Company of Toronto. He also served as president of the Canadian Manufacturers' Association and was president for the Canadian National Exhibition
from 1901 to 1905. As well, McNaught served as a lieutenant in the militia.
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
manufacturer and political figure. He represented Toronto North
Toronto North
Toronto North was a federal electoral district represented in the Canadian House of Commons from 1904 to 1925. It was located in the city of Toronto in the province of Ontario...
in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
The Legislative Assembly of Ontario , is the legislature of the Canadian province of Ontario, and is the second largest provincial legislature of Canada...
from 1906 to 1914 as a Conservative
Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario
The Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario , is a right-of-centre political party in Ontario, Canada. The party was known for many years as "Ontario's natural governing party." It has ruled the province for 80 of the years since Confederation, including an uninterrupted run from 1943 to 1985...
member.
He was born in Fergus
Fergus, Ontario
Fergus is the largest community in Centre Wellington, a township within Wellington County in Ontario, Canada. It lies on the Grand River about 25 km north of Guelph.-History:...
, Canada West, the son of John McNaught, a Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
immigrant, and was educated in Brantford
Brantford, Ontario
Brantford is a city located on the Grand River in Southern Ontario, Canada. While geographically surrounded by the County of Brant, the city is politically independent...
. He served in the militia during the time of the Fenian raids
Fenian raids
Between 1866 and 1871, the Fenian raids of the Fenian Brotherhood who were based in the United States; on British army forts, customs posts and other targets in Canada, were fought to bring pressure on Britain to withdraw from Ireland. They divided many Catholic Irish-Canadians, many of whom were...
before continuing his studies at the Toronto Commercial College. He worked at a hardware store in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
and then apprenticed in jewelry and silverware wholesale before establishing a jewelry wholesale company with a partner. In 1873, he married Caroline Eliza Lugsden. McNaught later became president of the American Watch Glass Company of Toronto. He also served as president of the Canadian Manufacturers' Association and was president for the Canadian National Exhibition
Canadian National Exhibition
Canadian National Exhibition , also known as The Ex, is an annual event that takes place at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada during the 18 days leading up to and including Labour Day Monday. With an attendance of approximately 1.3 million visitors each season, it is Canada’s largest...
from 1901 to 1905. As well, McNaught served as a lieutenant in the militia.