Of East Boyer Township, Crawford County, was born in Ulster County, New York, September 15, 1839, a son of James Slater, a native of the same county, and one of the early pioneers of Crawford County. James Slater was a son of Walter Slater. The family was of Holland descent, and early settlers in the vicinity of New York City. Solomon’s mother died when he was a boy of 12 years, leaving four children: James, Maria, Solomon W., and Anna. In 1854, James Slater, Solomon’s father, started west with these children, coming by boat to Albany, thence to Buffalo by rail, then by boat to Chicago, Illinois, then by railroad to Rock Island, Illinois, next by team to Crawford County, Iowa, locating in East Boyer Township, Section 10. He settled on wild land, and at that time there were only 10 or 12 voters in the county. He erected a log cabin, 14 x 16 feet, it being the best stopping place west of Carroll, 25 miles distant. Solomon W. was a lad of 16 years when he came with his father to Crawford County, and took part in clearing, breaking and making a farm. He drove team to Council Bluffs, 80 miles distant, for provisions for family use, and also to Sioux City. The farm consisted of 320 acres in Section 10, and a beautiful residence then stood on the site of the old log cabin. He was married in Crawford County at the age of 27 years to Sarah Winans, a native of Bureau County, Illinois, and a daughter of Clark Winans, one of the pioneer settlers of that county. To this union has been born one son, Henry. The wife and mother died in December 1865, and 3 years later, Solomon W. Slater married Mary Winans, a sister of his former wife, and they had 4 children: George, Katie, Grace, and Frank. He served as a member of the School Board, as a Director, Trustee, and Clerk of his Township.