JUDGE MORIARTY IS LAID TO REST
Funeral Services Held Tuesday Afternoon For Judge Maurice Moriarty – Succumbed in Iowa Following Accident
Funeral services were conducted Tuesday afternoon from the Congregational church for Judge Maurice Moriarty who passed away in a hospital in Iowa City, Iowa following an automobile accident.
The church was filled to capacity and the floral offerings were many and beautiful. Rev. R. M. Miller officiated at the services bringing word of praise and comfort. Mrs. Evangeline Schwartz sang a beautiful solo: “Crossing The Bar” and comforting was also preformed by a quartet composed of Lewis Howard, C. I. Bates, O. A. M. Monson and Marvey Lyman. Interment was made in Greenlawn Cemetery.
Judge Maurice Moriarty was born in Muscatine county, Iowa May 13, 1859. His boyhood days were spent near Wilton Junction, Iowa. He graduated with the senior class of the University of Iowa in 1881 with honors. The same year he came to Northville, South Dakota where he took up a homestead.
During the pioneering days of the development of this territory he proved himself a worthy citizen. He looked after the homestead; taught school; edited the Northville Advance; and practiced law. In 1901 he was elected Spink County Clerk of Courts and moved to Redfield.
After serving two terms as clerk of courts he remained in Redfield and practiced law. In 1923 he was appointed judge of the circuit court. Two years later he was appointed Supreme Court Commissioner. To service in Supreme Court, he moved from Redfield to Pierre. In 1929 he retired from the court to spend the rest of his life near the scene of his boyhood.
Judge Moriarty was married to Estella Reiter December 13, 1883. Two years ago this month they celebrated their golden anniversary. The judge was a member of Redfield and Pierre Kiwanis Clubs. He served on the board of the Congregational church of Redfield. For sixteen years he was a member of the school board of the public schools and for those years served as the board president. The Judge was a noble citizen of high scholarship and irreproachable character. He possessed firm convictions in matters of law, morality and ethnics. He was loved and esteemed by his fellow man.
The judge bid farewell to his wide circle of friends and departed this life Friday afternoon December 27, 1935. He leaves his beloved wife, devoted companion for more than fifty years; six sons, Clarence of DesMoines, Arthur of Redfield, Maurice Jr. of Veyland, Lester of Watertown, Ralph of Yellville, Arkansas, and Lauren of Wilton, Iowa. Four daughters Miss Gerturde of Miller, Mrs. F. M. Clarkson of Belle Fourche; Mrs. W. A. Hall of Miller and Mrs. Leo Nicholas of Muscatine. Iowa.
Source: Redfield Press, December 31, 1935
Submitted by: Mary Buchholz, SD researcher & great granddaughter