Another Pioneer Called

John W. Criswell to Selden in Year 1893

The community was schocked to learn that death came to John W. Criswell, pioneer settler, on January 8, 1943, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Nettie Eades at La Verne, Oklahoma at the age of 83 years. He was born in Dallas County, Mo. in November 1860 and four years later moved with his parents to Eldon, Iowa, where he grew to manhood. Here he met and married to Martha Emma Laird. To this union were born five boys and five girls.

He came to the community to settle on a farm south of Selden in the year 1893. He remained in the community until 1908 at which time he moved to Oklahoma. He lost his wife and faithful companion in Oklahoma.

He became a member of the First Baptist Church of Seldena in 1901 and remained true to that faith the remainder of his life. He was a wise, devoted and loving father and husband ever willing to lend a hand to a friend and neighbor. The fatherly influence he exerted over all who knew him made him loved by all. He will be sadly missed by his sorrowing family.

His wife, Martha, and three sons, Floral, Sumner and Andrew precede him in death. Surviving are: two sisters; one brother; five daughters. Mrs. Alice Shulter of Selden, Kansas; Mrs. Mary Wolfe of Macon, Missouri, Mrs. Nettie Eades, LaVerne, Oklahoma, Mrs Martha Berry, DesMoines, Iowa, and Mrs Ida Pollard, Kalama, Washington; two sons, Oscar of Selden and Smith of Kalama, Washington, a nephew, Charles Laird of Selden; thirty-eight grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends who sorrow at his passing.

To those upon death has cast a shadow go the heartfelt sympathies of the entire community. We revere the memory of one of the community's finest citizens.

Funeral services were held in the Selden Methodist Church with Rev. Sidney Dillinger preaching the sermon. Interment made in the Selden City Cemetery.

Originally submitted by jewelsodergren.