Solon J. Buttles
Solon J. Buttles, Postmaster, Garrettsville, was born at Farmington, Trumbull Co., Ohio, April 14, 1835; son of Friend and Electa (Payne) Battles, natives of Connecticut, who came to Trumbull County, Ohio, in an early day. They were the parents of five children: Susan (deceased), Sherlock (deceased), Laura (deceased) Zeniah (wife of Homer Chapman, of Rootstown) and Solon J. Friend Buttles, a shoe-maker by trade, received his first commission as Postmaster of Trumbull County, Ohio, which he held for several years. He died January 12, 1858, aged sixty-seven, his wife having preceded him in January, 1856. Our subject received a high school education, and early in life commenced to learn the trade of manufacturing boots and shoes, and eventually embarked in that industry, which he followed until 1861, when, owing to ill health, he retired from business for a period of about five years. He then removed to Garrettsville and re-entered the manufacturing business, which he followed about eight years, since when he has carried on the retail trade only. He was married, April 14, 1856, to Miss Mary Davidson, born at Farmington, January 22, 1838, daughter of William A. and Margaret (Fleming) Davidson, natives of western Pennsylvania, and early settlers of Trumbull County, Ohio, both now deceased. To this union were born three children: Willie F. (died at the age of thirteen months), Luetta D. (died in her fifteenth year), Elma, born March 16, 1866 (she is her father's assistant in the postoflfice). Mr. Buttles has been successful in business, and the courteous and obliging manner with which he has attended to the wants of his customers is his chief characteristic in the position he now sustains to the public as Postmaster, which office he has held to the satisfaction of all since February, 1882, at which date he received his appointment. Although always an attendant at church, he never became identified with any denomination until three years since, when he joined the Congregational Church. He is also an active member of the order of I. O. O. F., No. 456. Our subject cast his first vote for J. C. Fremont, and has since been identified with the Republican party.
From History of Portage County, Ohio, Warner, Beers & Co., Chicago, 1885