Gideon C. Moody
Gideon Curtis Moody was an American Senator from South Dakota.Biography
Born in Cortland, New York, he attended the common schools and pursued an academic course. He studied law in Syracuse, New York and in 1852 moved to Indiana, gaining admission to the bar in 1853. He was appointed prosecuting attorney for Floyd County, Indiana in 1854. He was a member of the Indiana House of Representatives in 1861. Moody enlisted as a volunteer during the Civil War. Entering the Union Army as a captain in April 1861 and served as captain, lieutenant colonel, and colonel, until his resignation in March 1864.
He moved to Dakota Territory around 1865. Moody became a member of the Territorial House of Representatives in 1867. He was a member from 1867 -1869 and 1874–1875, serving as speaker 1868-1869 from 1874-1875. In 1978 was named Judge of the Dakota Territory Supreme Court, but resigned his position in 1883 and became general attorney for the Homestake Mine. From 1878-1883, he was an associate justice of the Territory's supreme court and was a member of the constitutional conventions of South Dakota in 1883 and 1885.
Upon the admission of South Dakota as a State into the Union, Gideon Moody was elected as a Republican to the U.S. Senate and served from November 2, 1889 until March 3, 1891. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection.
Gideon C. Moody died at age 71 in Los Angeles, California. He is interred in Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery.
Moody County, South Dakota was formed in 1873 and is named for him.
