Byron B. Buckhout was a prominent businessman from Saginaw, Michigan who came to Saginaw in the 1850's. He operated a hardware store and was a volunteer fire fighter at times serving as chief. He also served as an alderman, supervisor, and president of the Board of Public Works. He and his wife, Bettie Marie, were charter members of the First Congregational Church in Saginaw. He was also a member of St. Paul's Lodge. They had one son named Fred, who donated the materials to the library in 1919.