Moses Archibald McNaughton

Moses Archibald McNaughton (January 4, 1813 – January 18, 1901) was a medical doctor, railroad developer, real estate developer, and early pioneer of Jackson, Michigan. He later represented Michigan as a delegate to the first national Republican meeting in 1856. McNaughton served in the Michigan Senate, where he represented the 12th district, in 1853 on the Free Soil ticket, which was organized to stop slavery. McNaughton also served as Mayor of Jackson from 1866 to 1867. Having held many public trust positions, he was considered to be influential in the building of the state of Michigan.

Early life, education, and marriage The youngest of 11 children, McNaughton was born in Argyle, New York in 1813 to Robert and Isabella McNaughton. Both of his parents were of Scottish ancestry. McNaughton was the great-grandson of Alexander McNaughton who helped found Argyle, NY, after immigrating to the United States in 1738. Alexander was credited with securing a large land tract with his fellow Scottish immigrants. He went on to spend two years at Union College and later graduated from Fairfield Medical College in 1840. To start his medical career, McNaughton then moved to Jackson in 1841.

Medical doctor and notable businessman McNaughton spent 12 years in Jackson practicing as a medical doctor and then got involved in other business activities. At the Kalamazoo convention, McNaughton was made President and temporary chairman.

He has been credited as one of the organizing members of the Republican Party. At the first official meeting of the Republican party, McNaughton was honored by calling this first meeting to order. Later, he was in attendance at the first national Republican meeting as one of fourteen Michigan delegates.

Due to his business successes, McNaughton built a mansion that was located on a hilltop on W. Trail Street. It was later found to have tunnels that led away from the mansion. There have been reports that these tunnels were used in the Underground Railroad during the Civil War. Though, this has not been proven and some speculate that the tunnels were a part of a coal mine or a form of ventilation.

The Jackson legend of Little Mary McNaughton's granddaughter was Mary McNaughton who was born in Jackson, Michigan. The story of Mary is considered one of Michigan's top ghost stories, and her grave is still regularly visited by locals. However, the Jackson legend and the events surrounding it have been strongly disputed by her youngest sibling (Donald McNaughton).