Transcribed from "An Illustrated History of The
Big Bend Country, embracing Lincoln, Douglas, Adams and Franklin counties,
State of Washington", published by Western Historical Publishing
Co., 1904.
LEWIS A. McNAUGHT is one of the well known and leading property owners of Douglas county. He lives seven and one-half miles northeast from Hartline where he has a very choice estate, well improved and in a high state of cultivation. He has gained his entire holding through his own labor and careful business methods and so thoroughly has he impressed all that know him with his careful wisdom and reliability that in 1900, they chose him to the office of county commissioner, in which capacity he has served with distinction for four years.
Lewis A. McNaught was born in Van Buren county, Iowa, on October 27, 1858, the son of George F. and Nancy (McNight) McNaught, natives of Indiana. The father was of Scotch extraction and is deceased. The mother's ancestors were early pioneers of Kentucky. She is making her home with Lewis A., her son. Our subject attended the common schools of Greene and Union counties, Iowa, and remained on the farm until seventeen. In the spring of 1880, he went to the Black Hills and farmed for two years. At the expiration of that time, he returned to Iowa and for two years was farming near Creston, Iowa. After that, he took a trip with a team into Arkansas and soon returned to Iowa. In March, 1885, he came west to Washington. For a year he was occupied in the sheep business in Walla Walla and in the spring of 1886, settled on a homestead where he now resides. His filing was made in June of that year, and since then he has added three quarters of a section by purchase. From that time until the present Mr. McNaught has given his attention strictly to farming and has made an excellent success in his labors. He has a fine nine room residence beautifully finished and supplied with every convenience which makes it one of the best in the entire county. Other buildings and improvements are in evidence and altogether, Mr. McNaught is one of the most thrifty and progressive farmers in the state. He has the following brothers and sisters, William F., Mrs. Lillian Emerson, Mrs. Julietta Brannon, Mrs. Theresa Gertson, Mrs. Ersula Downing, and Elizabeth.
Mr. McNaught is a member of the I. O. O. F., the Encampment and the Maccabees. In political matters, he has always taken an active part and is well informed, holding strongly to the old Jeffersonian principles of Democracy. He was raised under the influence of the Baptist church. Although he is not a member of any denomination, still he is a supporter of the churches.
