The McNaught Cemetery located on Section 27 of Gridley Township received its name from the original owners of this land, Joseph and Agnes McNaught. The McNaught family arrived in this area from Indiana in 1845 following their marriage in 1844. This couple would one day be buried in this cemetery.
The first known burial is five-week-old Harriet McNaught, the daughter of the above noted couple, who died 4 April 1852. Five years later little Harriet’s older brother Thomas passed away on 17 December 1857 and was laid to rest beside his sister in this newly founded cemetery.
Three Civil War Veterans lie buried here. James Carman was a Captain in Company K 8th Illinois Volunteer Infantry and died at the age of thirty-two years on 16 April 1872. Jasper D. Whiteman died 16 October 1875 at age twenty-nine. James E. Flesher died at his home in Lexington 14 June 1904. He was married to Abigail Sample, and both are buried here.
Brothers Frank and Harry Fleming died of measles on the same day, 19 April 1883. Another brother Freddie soon joined them in the family plot, much to the sadness of their mother Mary Hitch Fleming who later was buried here beside her sons.
A most sad story is that of Turner and Ella Lock who lost three sons, Oscar, Loren, and Glen, to diphtheria in less than one week. While holding the funeral for two of these sons at their home, a fire broke out in the upstairs and the funeral was halted as the grieving family extinguished the fire by heaping snow upon the flames. This sad group then silently carried the small caskets to the McNaught Cemetery for burial.
The last known burial was John Gardner who died 19 March 1921 and was buried beside his wife Mary who had preceded him in death 11 November 1915 six years earlier.
Today there are 60 known burials in this cemetery. Since its location is in the middle of a field with no paved access, one must obtain permission before visiting. It is located just off 2750 North 2130 East Road in Gridley Township and is overgrown with foliage and vegetation; stones are nearly impossible to locate.
The first known burial is five-week-old Harriet McNaught, the daughter of the above noted couple, who died 4 April 1852. Five years later little Harriet’s older brother Thomas passed away on 17 December 1857 and was laid to rest beside his sister in this newly founded cemetery.
Three Civil War Veterans lie buried here. James Carman was a Captain in Company K 8th Illinois Volunteer Infantry and died at the age of thirty-two years on 16 April 1872. Jasper D. Whiteman died 16 October 1875 at age twenty-nine. James E. Flesher died at his home in Lexington 14 June 1904. He was married to Abigail Sample, and both are buried here.
Brothers Frank and Harry Fleming died of measles on the same day, 19 April 1883. Another brother Freddie soon joined them in the family plot, much to the sadness of their mother Mary Hitch Fleming who later was buried here beside her sons.
A most sad story is that of Turner and Ella Lock who lost three sons, Oscar, Loren, and Glen, to diphtheria in less than one week. While holding the funeral for two of these sons at their home, a fire broke out in the upstairs and the funeral was halted as the grieving family extinguished the fire by heaping snow upon the flames. This sad group then silently carried the small caskets to the McNaught Cemetery for burial.
The last known burial was John Gardner who died 19 March 1921 and was buried beside his wife Mary who had preceded him in death 11 November 1915 six years earlier.
Today there are 60 known burials in this cemetery. Since its location is in the middle of a field with no paved access, one must obtain permission before visiting. It is located just off 2750 North 2130 East Road in Gridley Township and is overgrown with foliage and vegetation; stones are nearly impossible to locate.
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Use link to visit this Cemetery on Find A Grave:
https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2172868/mcnaught-cemetery
https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2172868/mcnaught-cemetery