History

John Patrick Naughton was born in 1846 in Ballinrobe, County Mayo, Ireland. He later moved to the United States, where he passed away in Bismarck, North Dakota, on April 29, 1928. John married Katherine Mullroy, who was also from Ireland, born in 1850. Katherine died on January 23, 1905, in Naughton Township.

The couple initially lived in Brooklyn, New York, before relocating to Bismarck, North Dakota, in August 1882. There, they established a homestead in an area that is now known as Naughton Township, named in John’s honor.

John and Katherine had four children:

Mary, who was born on June 12, 1880, in Brooklyn, New York. She died in Bismarck, North Dakota, on May 12, 1960.
Patrick, born in Naughton Township on March 28, 1882.
Katherine, born in Naughton Township on October 18, 1884, and passed away in Bismarck in April 1965.
Hugh, born in Naughton Township on November 20, 1887, and died there on August 24, 1891.

Naughton Elementary School, established in 1886, proudly carries the name of John Patrick Naughton, a local landowner whose property was situated near our school’s location.