an in many ways. His
ability to read was quite limited, but his voice was splendid for
service in meetings."

Teena Crittenden, his amiable wife, was as industrious and frugal in the
home, as her husband, in the shop and on the farm. She was a devout
christian, one that loved the Bible and enjoyed the privilege of having
a place at the meeting for prayer. She died at 67 in 1898, having
outlived her husband four years.

John Ross Shoals, in addition to the Sabbath afternoon meetings at
Doaksville, took some additional night work, that fitted him to become
the first Sunday school teacher in the Oak Hill neighborhood in 1875,
and an efficient elder in the church. He died at 36 in 1885, leaving to
Hattie, his wife, the responsibility of raising and educating a family
of nine children.

Hattie Crittenden Shoals inherited the industrious and religious traits
of her parents, in or near whose home she always lived. She surpassed
many of her people, in the intelligent forethought she manifested in all
her plans, and in the ability to exercise a correct judgment of men and
conditions.

"I mean to have my children begin life, at a higher step than I did."
This was an ambition oft expressed in the presence of her children. She
succeeded in giving all of them a good education, by sending them first
to Oak Hill and then to other institutions, including Biddle university,
Scotia Seminary, Tuskeegee and the Iowa State Agricultural college.

SIMON FOLSOM

Simon Folsom, one of the first elders of the Forest Presbyterian church
is now one of the oldest living representatives of the slavery period.
Nancy Brashears, his third and present wife, enjoys the distinction of
having been the most influential of the early leaders in effecting the
organization of that church. He became an elder in 1887. After
twenty-six years of faithful service under very unfavorable
circumstances, he is still trying "to hold up for the faith."

In 1901 he enjoyed the privilege of being one of the commissioners of
the Presbytery of Kiamichi, and attended the meeting of the General
Assembly in Philadelphia. Many of the good things heard and fine
impressions received on that occasion, have never been forgotten, and
they have furnished him interesting themes, for many subsequent
addresses. Though unable to read, he quotes the Bible as one very
familiar with that sacred book. He inherited a good memory, that serves
him well in public address, and he is alway