Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-02-24

Mr. Bouck was native Of Fulton, n.
y. where he was born December IT..
1928. He was the son of William C..
Bouck, who served one term as governor
of the Empire state. Gabriel gradual
ell from Union college in 1847 and en-
tered tue law office Of Daniel S. Dickin-
son in BinghamptoD, as a student. He
arrived In Milwaukee in 1913 and
studied one year, when he was admitted
to the bar and at once began practice
at Oshkosh.
He was the oldest practicing lawyer
in the city of Oshkosh up to the time
of his death. He came here when Osh-
kosh was village OF Tess than 1900 in
habitants. There are but one or two
persons still living who came 10 Osh-
kosh as early as did the man who was
known for many years aS the sage OF
Oshkosh" He rapidly assumed place
in the legal profession near the top,
which he retained during his entire life.
Col Bouck was IA eccentric character
and many incidents of his peculiarities
have been related and published.
He early became interested in politics
as an old-time Democrat. In the fall Of
1857 he was elected to the office Of attor-
ney general upon the Democratic ticket,
which ticket he supported from the time
served two years and in 1860 he was
elected to the state Legislature, being re-
elected in 1873, and in 1874 acted as
sneaker Of the House. In 1876 he was
elected to Congress, carrying the election
by about 5000 in u strongly Republican
district. Tilden was given only about
1000 the same time. One of his strong
fights in the Legislature was against the
Granger BILL" and so ardent was the
fight upon that bill that the session was
known as the Granger Legislature In
1860 he was member of the judiciary
committee of the Legislature, and intro
duced a law, which was passed, giving TO
laborers in the logging regions lien on
logs for wages due. Col. Bouck was
well acquainted with the late President
Mckinley while in Congress.
When the Civil war broke out, Attor-
new BOuck was among the very hrst to
take up the defense of his country. He
organized q company and offered Its Sery-
ices to the governor. The company be-
came the color guard Of the Second regi-
ment, Wisconsin volunteers. Capt. Bouch
participated in the early campaigns on
the Potomac, and when Col. James ,.
Alban of the Eighteenth regiment fell In
battle Capt. BOuck was advanced 10 the
command He reorganiZed the regiment.
which had become thinned out by hard
service and the regiment took active part
in the siege and the battle of Corlnth,
the battles of Jackson, Champion Hill
and Black River. in the siege of Nlcks-
burg and the Battle of Missionary Ridge.
In 1876 Col. Bouck was elected to rep
resent the Sixth Wisconsin district in the
Forty-ffth Congress and was reelected
two years later.
In 1S49 Mr.. Bouck became a member
Of the Masonic fraternity, joining the L.
& A. M. For forty years he attended
every meeting of the grand lodge Of the
state and is knight Templar. He was
chosen worshipful master of his lodge at
Oshkosh in 1852, when he was appointed
grand steward. The following year he
was made grand senior warden and was
chosen deputy grand master in 1854,
serving two years. He was elected
grand master in 1860 and again IN 1860
and reelected in 1870.
He never married, but although gruff
he was always a friend of good women.
Many acts Of kindness to unfortunate
people of both sexes, and Of all ages,
were performed by the peculiar old man,
which will never be known. He was
charitable and always gave to every
church, although he attended none regu-
larly or even made pretenSe of belong
ing to one. No charitable work ever
failed to receive assistance from him.
He was blunt and to the point and had
no patience with anyone mincing mat
tiers in presenting mater to him. Out
spoken and frank, be demanded that
others be so with him, and one who
played him false never had Il chance to
do so again.
Possessing many odd traits of char
acter, those who did not know him were
led into the error of believing Col Bouck
to be a cold, distant and disgruntled
man. But those who saw him much and
knew him best, testify to the nobility OF
his manhood, the sincerity Of purpose
and the absolute integrity of his life
Beneath the rough exterior lay the
beauty of his true nature. A long and
warm friend depicted the character of
Col. Bouck when he said, He was a
great diamond in the rough"