Dr. Luther Damon MacNaughton (1871-1951)

ARMBRUSTER, BOYER, CHURCH, MACNAUGHTON

Posted By: Eileen Reed (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:41

February 6, 1871 --- June 11, 1951

DR. MACNAUGHTON DIES MONDAY IN HOSPITAL

Death Takes Prominent Eagle Grove Professional Man After 53 Years Of Practice In Community

Funeral services for Dr. Luther D. MacNaughton were held Wednesday afternoon at 2:30 in the Methodist church. The Rev. Harrison G. Dawes officiated and burial was in Rose Hill cemetery.

Dr. MacNaughton, 80, died at the Lutheran hospital in Fort Dodge Monday, June 11, about 7 a. m. following a serious illness of several weeks. He had been hospitalized twice previously during the winter and early spring for shorter periods,

Stores and offices closed Wednesday for the services honoring one of Eagle Grove's oldest business and professional men. He came to Eagle Grove on April 3, 1897 and on that date this year had completed 54 years of active practice in the community.

Dr. Mac Day

Four years ago the Eagle Grove Chamber of Commerce set aside one day as Dr. Mac Day honoring his fifty years of service to the community. A meeting of the group honored him and he was presented with a gift from his business friends of a fine fishing pole and given a letter from the group advising him to use the pole in his favorite sport.

Dr. MacNaughton had been a life long member of the Chamber of Commerce and an active worker for the good of the community. In his early days he was an enthusiastic supporter of the Eagle Grove athletic teams giving hundreds of dollars worth of free medical service to local athletes.

Monday night on the day of his death former Governor Robert D. Blue eulogized Dr. Mac in a talk to his fellow Rotarians many of whose members had given blood to the blood bank in Fort Dodge for the doctor. He was also a past president of the service club.

Eagle Grove parks have long been his particular community interest. He has been a member and chairman of the park board for years giving special attention to the care and development of Eagle Grove's public parks.

World War I Veteran

Dr. MacNaughton served his country in the first world war and has been an active member of the American Legion as well as Post Commander. He was a member of the Wright County Medical Society and past president of the group. He also was a member of the state medical society and the AMA.

The Eagle Grove Country Club was also one of Dr. MacNaughton’s special interests and he served as president of the organization on different occasions. For years he enjoyed his daily round of golf playing with the club's famous "Thundering herd." He and the late W. R. Blake were particular rivals in this group.

He was a member of the Masonic lodge holding the Scottish Rite 32nd degree. He was also active in the Red Cross organization serving as local chairman and first aid instructor. He was also Chicago and Northwestern physician for many years.

One of his most beloved activities was in connection with Eagle Grove's famous state championship football team in 1914. He spent hours of time and considerable money in helping to develop that team. He was physician and trainer for the boys and had his picture taken with them. That picture was one of his treasured possessions.

Born in Charles City

Dr. MacNaughton was born February 6, 1871 in Charles City, Iowa. He attended the Charles City public schools, Iowa State College at Ames, where he received a degree in Mechanical Engineering and Drake University in Des Moines where he received his M. D. degree. In June 1897 he was married to: Clarice McCarthy who died in 1921. In 1923 he married Grace Lynn Boyer.

He leaves to mourn his death his wife, one son Merryl E. and one daughter Laura Church (Mrs. W. T. Armbruster), seven grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and a host of friends.

Pallbearers at the funeral were: John Buhner, Robert D. Blue, Dr. H. R. Norris, Dr. R. W. Van Zwol, Dr. E. C. Johnson, John Henneberry. Honorary pallbearers were Dr. O. H. Morse, Dr. J. R. Christensen, Dr. C. D. Parsons, Guy Hinkley, Frank Cole, Sam Middleton, Thos. I. Griffin, Dr. R. L. Martin, Halvard Kloster, H. L. Lewright, M. F. Schaeferle, Harry Schoonover, Orvin G. Uhr, and A. F. Lukensmeyer.

***

It is with regret this week that we note the passing of one of our favorite people, Dr. L. D. MacNaughton. During our brief two years of association with Doctor Mac we have grown to like and appreciate his friendliness and good humor. He was the senior member of a small, informal luncheon group that held him in great respect. In that small way we got to know him and looked forward to his talented contributions and advice. We will miss Doctor Mac

Eagle Grove Eagle --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
June 14, 1951