The Newark star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1909, 1909-04-08
N. ]. LEOWITH, TO
BE LAID To REST
MONDAY MORNING
Former Judge and Charter Mem-
ber OF Seton Hall Died
Early Today.
BISHOP O'CONNOR TO
CELEBRATE HIGH MASS
Noted Catholic Was a Prominent
Figure in the Develop
ment of Newark.

The funeral of former Judge Michael
J. Ledwith, the last of the original
charter members of Seton Hall College,
who died early today a his home, 1S0
Clinton avenue. will be held Monday
morning. A solemn high mass of re-
QUEEN, at which the Right Rev. John
J. O'connor. bishop of the Newark do
cese viii be invited to assist, will be
celebrated at St Columba's Roman
Catholic Church at 10 o'clock
Mr.. Ledwith was one of the pioneer
Catholics of the city. having lived in
years. Until he was taken i'll last
Thursday he enjoyed good health for
his years. and was accustomed to take
outdoor exercise every day. He was
remarkably we'll preserved man for his
years
AT his bedside when he died were his
wife and daughters and son, but he
was not able to recognize any of them,
as he had been unconscious since Tues
day. The end was quiet and peaceful.
horn tn bubitn.
Mr. Ledwith was born in Dublin. Ire
land. in 1896. and when he was 8 years
old came to this country with his parents.
who settled in Canal street, New York
which was at that time the residential
part of the city. few years later his
parents brought him to this city. where
he had lived for more than three-quarters
of a century.
Mr.. Ledwith was left an orphan with
several sisters and brothers when he was
Il years old Soon afterward he went to
work for Marcus L. Ward, the soap and
candle manufacturer in Oliver street He
displayed such an aptitude for the busi-
ness that when he was Fl years old he
was taken into partnership and then the
firm was known as the Ledwith- WI ard and
M. l.. Ward d Co.
Later on the older members of the firm
withdrew and Mr. Ledwith continued the
business under his own name and retired
about twenty-three years ago. While still
a young man he married Miss Mary Fell,
of Orange, sister of the late Laurence
T. Fell, and as the result of that union
leaves four daughters and one son They
are Mrs. William c. Shanley Mrs. M, +.
Foley wife of Dr. Foley, of Hoboken;
Miss Margaret j. Ledwith, Miss Rose M.
Ledwith and John j. l.edwith, all of whom
are alive as is also his wife.
n Mr.. Ledwith Vas 2 member of ST. Johns
Roman Catholic Church from boyhood
until st. Columbas parish was organized
In 1871, and up to the day he was taken
sick he WAS a regular communicant and
daily attendant at that church.
Old Seton Hall Trustee.
Mr. I.edW1th was be fore his death the
only original member of the board Of triis-
tees of Seton Hall College, in which ne took
an active interest. and ne never lost an op-
to promote its welfare. He never
failed to attend the commencement eyer
cses He was also one of the charter menu
bers of the Young Mems Catholic Assoca-
tion in New street, which Is nfere famil-
iarly known az The Catholic Institute
He was also an ardent member of The Holy
Name Society Of ST. Colufnba's parish.
In politics Mr.. Ledwith was Il Democrat
His support Of the organization was recog-
nized by the late Governor Ludlow, who
made him Il lay Judge. He served in TINT
capacity for fifteen years. when lay judges
were dispensed with by the Legislature Hel
never aspired to political honors in The way
Of elective offices
In his boyhood days Mr. Ledwth evinaed
q liking for the French and Spanish Ian
guages and soon acquired a thorough
of them In later years he spent
French and Spanish writers.
Up to the day he was taken i'll Mr..
Ledwith never complained of being ck |
his four-score and more years
street near Lincoln Park but for the last
.wehty years had lived at iSo Clinton
venue.