Thomas Criteser, 79 years, died Saturday evening at his home on Rast Avenue after a very short illness.  Mr. Criteser was a resident of Roseburg for more than 52 years, and was very well known in this city.  He had been ill but two days when death occurred.
     Mr. Criteser was born in Boone county, Indiana, Jan. 25, 1845, later moving to Iowa.  When he was 16 years of age he enlisted as a private in the 13th Iowa infantry, to serve during the Civil War, but one year later, was discharged because of total physical disability.
     In the spring of 1863 he came across the plains with his father, the trip being made with ox and horse teams.  The trip took them until the fall of 1863 when they reached Roseburg.
     Mr. Criteser engaged in farming for a number of years and from 1874 to 1884 was interested in the mining business at Graves Creek, where he and Judge J. C. Fullerton and J. G. Rast of this city were concerned in the development of the mining property.  They developed the Tennessee ledge near Quine's Creek, one of the most successful mines in the county.
     From 1884 to 1898 he was engaged in the flour mill business as a member of the firm Rast and Criteser.
     He was married on Nov. 4, 1869, to Miss Lydia Jones, a daughter of I. Jones, one of the county's pioneers. Three sons, Walter, of West Fork, Thomas of Leland, and Fred of Roseburg, and one daughter, Mrs. J. A. Cobb, of Marshfield, were born to the union.  The widow also survives.  Mr. Criteser leaves a sister residing in Coos county and a brother John, in Grants Pass, as well as many close friends.
     The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Undertaking parlors. Hon. J. W. Hamilton will deliver the eulogy.  Interment will take place in the Masonic cemetary.
(The News-Review, Roseburg, Oregon, Monday, January 12, 1925)