William Kirkpatrick McNaught

William Kirkpatrick McNaught CMG (September 6, 1845 – February 2, 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.

William Kirkpatrick McNaught
Ontario MPP
In office
1905-1914
Preceded byWilliam Beattie Nesbitt
Succeeded byRiding abolished
ConstituencyToronto North[note 1]
Personal details
Born(1845-09-06)September 6, 1845
Fergus, Canada West
DiedFebruary 2, 1919(1919-02-02) (aged 73)
Toronto, Ontario
Spouse(s)Caroline Eliza Lugsden
OccupationBusinessman
Military service
AllegianceCanadian
Branch/serviceRoyal Canadian Artillery
Years of service1866-1919
RankColonel
UnitQueen's Own Rifles
Commands12th York Rangers
Battles/warsFenian Raids, WWI

Background

He was born in Fergus, Canada West, the son of John and Sarah McNaught who were Scottish immigrants.[1][2] He attended schools in Brantford and also the Bryant and Stratton Commercial College in Toronto. 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.

In 1866 he enlisted in the Queen's Own Rifles where he participated in the Fenian Raids. He rose to the rank of Color-Sergeant. He later joined the 12th York Rangers as a lieutenant. By 1914 he had risen to the rank of Colonel and he offered his services to the war office at the outbreak of World War I. Being too old to serve overseas, he worked in various roles at the headquarters in Ottawa involving land transportation, recruitment and outfitting of new units including the 109th Toronto militia regiment and the 84th and 169th overseas battalions.[2]

He was appointed C.M.G. in the 1914 Birthday Honours.[3]

Politics

McNaught was elected in a by-election after his predecessor William Nesbitt resigned. He defeated the Liberal candidate Thomas Urquhart who was the mayor of Toronto by 1,301 votes.[4] He was re-elected in 1908 along with John Shaw when the riding started electing two members.[5] He remained in office until 1914.

Toronto North election results
By-election, February 22, 1906
Party Candidate Votes[4] Vote %
    Conservative William McNaught 3,819 57.9
    Liberal Thomas Urqurhart 2,518 38.2
    Socialist James Simpson 260 3.9
Total 6,597

Toronto North (Seat A) election results
1908 Ontario general election
Party Candidate Votes[6][5] Vote %
    Conservative William McNaught 6,346 88.0
    Labour Mr. Hevey 519 7.2
    Socialist Mr. Lindala 347 4.8
Total 7,212
1911 Ontario general election
Party Candidate Votes[7][8] Vote %
    Conservative William McNaught 5,110 79.8
    Labour W. Stephenson 1,295 20.2
Total 6,405

References

Notes
  1. Represented Seat A from 1908 after riding started electing two members.

Citations
  1. EJ Chambers (1910). Canadian Parliamentary Guide, 1908.
  2. "Col. M'Naught Passes Away". The Globe. February 3, 1919. p. 8.
  3. "Six Canadians who Received Honors From the King". Toronto Daily Star. June 22, 1914. p. 1.
  4. "Small Vote Was Polled". The Globe. Toronto. February 23, 1906. p. 5.
  5. "Toronto Yet Tory; A Straight Eight: Liberals and Independents Were All Defeated". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. June 9, 1908. p. 4.
  6. "The City Returns Came in Quickly, The Vote in Toronto". The Toronto Daily Star. Toronto. June 9, 1908. p. 10.
  7. "Toronto is Totally Tory Again". The Toronto Daily Star. Toronto. December 12, 1911. p. 3.
  8. "Only 41,000 Votes in City Ridings". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. December 12, 1911. p. 8.
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