HON. GEORGE H. BUCK

HON. GEORGE H. BUCK, an eminent jurist and popular citizen of Redwood City, California, where for many years he has acted as Judge of San Mateo county, was born in Harrison, Maine, in 1847.  He received a liberal education and for a time had charge of Gorham’s Seminary and Academy in that State.  His mind took a legal turn, and believing that the bar afforded him an opening, he entered the office of Woodbury & Ingalls, of Boston, Massachusetts, as a student of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1871.  Like most young attorneys, he found it necessary to turn his hand to something while studying for his profession, and accordingly he became a teacher in the Gorham Seminary, where he soon rose to be vice-principal.  After being in this position for some time he went West in search of a wider field for his ambition, taking with him a letter from the authorities of the seminary to the effect that he was “eminently well qualified as a teacher and disciplinarian.”  He next settled in Cincinnati, and soon became one of the attorneys for the Indianapolis, Cincinnati & Lafayette Railroad, which position he held for three years, when his health compelled him to seek a milder climate.  Accordingly, in 1875, he came to California.  In the fall of 1882 he was elected District Attorney, succeeding himself in the years 1884, 1886 and 1888.  In the fall of 1890 he was elected Judge of San Mateo county, to fill an unexpired term, and also for the full term of six years, commencing January 1, 1891.  It is a significant fact that, although he has been a life-long Democrat in politics and his district is largely Republican when party lines are drawn, yet such are his sterling traits of character and professional ability that political preferences and prejudices are laid aside at a convention or election when the magnetism of his personality is exercised.

Judge Buck was married July 14, 1892, to Miss Elizabeth King, an accomplished lady of Redwood City, daughter of Henry King of that place.

The Judge belongs to a number of secret societies, being a member of Metamora Tribe, No. 24, of Redwood City, and was at the session of the Great Council held in 1889, elevated to the stump of Great Sachem, from which position he retired in August, 1890.  He has also held the fraternal office of Noble Grand Arch of the United Ancient Order of Druids, from which office he retired in June, 1892.

In the various walks of life Judge Buck has always been the same able, unpretentious and benevolent gentleman and deservedly enjoys the esteem of a large community.