Simeon S. Forrest, one of the reliable citizens of Tahlequah, is the incumbent of the office of County assessor of Cherokee County. He is a native of Missouri, in which state he was born on the 21st of November, 1874, at Vienna, Maries County. His parents were William and Mary J. Forrest, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of North Carolina. They both went to Missouri with their parents at an early age and in that state their marriage took place. For some time the father followed farming in Maries County but he removed to Ozark County in 1877, where he followed agricultural pursuits, achieving more than substantial success.
In the acquirement of an education Simeon S. Forrest attended the public schools of Ozark County and various private academies. Upon putting his textbooks aside he engaged in teaching and for two years taught in the schools of Ozark County. In 1906 he re-moved to Wagoner, Indian Territory, and until 1910 was engaged as a teacher in the government schools. In that year, however, he came to Tahlequah and was a teacher in the public schools here until he was elected to the office of County Assessor of Cherokee County, entering upon the duties of that office in 1921. As a public official he is demonstrating his ability to serve the public in a most efficient manner and to the complete satisfaction of the residents of the County.
On the 12th of October, 1897, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Forrest and Miss Annie Easter, a daughter of J. B. and Mary E. Easter. To their union the following children have been born: Alger, Charles A., William A., Alma, Vivian, Stanley and Hollis. Mrs. Forrest is prominent in the club and social circles of Tahlequah and is conceded to be a model housewife and mother.
The family is affiliated with the Methodist Church and they are generous contributors to its support. Since attaining his majority Mr. Forrest has given his allegiance to the Republican Party, in the interests of which he has always taken an active part. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons and the Knights of Pythias. During the period of his residence here Mr. Forrest has won the esteem of the community, by reason of his faithful discharge of all matters of trust and his high standards of citizenship.