Few names stand out more prominently in the history of California jurisprudence than that of George H. Buck, Superior Judge of San Mateo County, who is completing his twenty-fifth year on the bench and his thirty-third year in public office.
As a jurist Judge Buck is one of the most eminent in the State. In addition to sitting on the San Mateo County bench, Judge Buck has been called many times to preside for other judges, and three years ago Governor Johnson appointed him to fill Judge Dooling’s unexpired term when he left the San Benito county court to become a Federal judge.
Judge Buck entered public life in 1882, when he was elected District Attorney of San Mateo County. He was re-elected each term until 1890 when the citizens of San Mateo County elevated him to the Superior Bench.
The best evidence of Judge Buck’s popularity and ability is the handsome majorities by which the voters have returned him to office at each election for Superior Judge since then. It was only last year that he was reelected at the primaries for a six-year term by a sweeping vote.
Judge Buck was born in Maine in 1847. After completing his education, he had charge of Gorham’s Seminary and Academy in Maine. He later studied law in the office of Woodbury & Ingalls at Boston. He was admitted to the bar of Maine in 1871 and held the position of associate attorney of the Indianapolis, Cincinnatti and Lafayette Railroad until 1874, when he resigned to come to California. He moved to Redwood City where he started the practice of law.