7G4 I>R- CHARLES FOLLEN FOLSOM. 



at work, the observation of those who fall, he writes, "increases one's 

 admiration for those many persons in all stations of life who lead 

 lives of purity and nobleness, and to whom trial and temptation only 

 give added purity and strength. If people will only place their ideals 



high enough, they easily or with a fight may make them real. does 



not believe this, but I know it." 



In the spring of 1886 Dr. Folsom was married to Martha Tucker 

 Washburn, sister of his classmate William T. Washburn, and this for- 

 tunate event filled with happiness and serenity the whole remainder 

 of his life. Domestic, affectionate, home-loving, and hospitable, his 

 marriage brought to him as much fulness of satisfaction as any of 

 his friends could have desired. It gave new scope, too, to his hospital- 

 ity and his strong social instincts, for these traits were eminently 

 characteristic of his wife also, and their table became well known as 

 one where good talk, good fellowship, and good humor in the best 

 sense were to be found. Dr. Folsom had had a wide experience with 

 men, with books, and with affairs; he had a good memory, a good 

 sense of humor, a fondness for a good story and the capacity to tell 

 one, and these characteristics, combined with his real love for his 

 fellow-men, made him a highly acceptable companion. 



For a number of years he had been very busy in his private prac- 

 tice and his marriage only increased his zeal in this respect and his 

 opportunities for conducting his work as he desired. To an unusual 

 degree he treated his patients as his friends and made them welcome 

 visitors at his house. This tendency, which was instinctive with him 

 and formed a part of his desire to lead a life which should bring him 

 into close contact "with individuals needing help," was thoroughly, 

 sympathized in and actively forwarded by his wife, and materially 

 increased his power for good. 



As a diagnostician and practitioner Dr. Folsom was a careful, accu- 

 rate observer, sound and conservative in judgment and resourceful 

 in meeting practical needs, and it was these qualities rather than an 

 ability and instinct for scientific investigation that brought him his 

 success. His contributions to what might be called pure science 

 were in fact not numerous, and became less so as time went on. It 

 was always the vision of "the individuals needing help " that led him 

 on. The worrying habit might readily have developed itself in him, 

 but he systematically discouraged this tendency and opposed to it a 

 simple and gentle philosophy of living which methodical, well-ordered 

 habits aided to make effective. Generosity was a constant trait through- 

 out his life and for nearly twenty years he contributed substantially 

 to the support of a brother who was ill, and even to the very last to 



