Daniel Buck was an American lawyer and legislator. He is remembered as a United States Congressman and Vermont House Speaker.
Background
Daniel Buck was born on November 9, 1753 in Hebron, Connecticut, and was the second son of Thomas and Jane Buck. While young, he emigrated to Thetford, Vermont, which was largely settled by emigrants from Hebron. During the American Revolution, he lost an arm in the battle of Bennington. In 1784 or 1785 he removed to Norwich, Vermont, where he was one of the first settlers.
Education
Daniel studied law and was the first lawyer to open an office in Norwich.
Career
In 1791 Daniel Buck represented Norwich in the convention called to determine whether Vermont would ratify or reject the United States Constitution. The chief opposition came from a group of Windsor County towns and Buck was its leader and spokesman, but he finally voted for immediate union with the new nation. That his opposition to statehood did not prejudice Vermonters against him is shown by his election as speaker of the Assembly in 1793 and 1794.
He made one of the ablest speeches delivered in defense of the position of the Washington administration on the Jay Treaty, opposing the attempt to compel the executive department to deliver to Congress its instructions to the American envoy, but he was defeated for reelection. He served as a member of the Council of Censors (1792), as attorney-general of the state (1794), and as state's attorney of Windsor County (1802 - 03).
In 1806 he was again in the legislature and was active in establishing a state bank.
Buck died in Chelsea on August 16, 1816 and was interred at the Old Chelsea Cemetery in Chelsea.
Achievements
Politics
Buck served one term in Congress as a Federalist (1795 - 97), making the journey to the seat of government on horseback with his fellow townsmen accompanying him to the border of the neighboring town.
Connections
He was married on September 22, 1786 to Content Ashley of Norwich by whom he had eleven children. The eldest son, Daniel A. A. Buck, became a member of Congress.