JUDGE GEORGE H. BUCK

 

             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, Cincinnati and Lafayette Railroad until 1874, when he resigned to come to California.  He moved to Redwood City where he started the practice of law.

 

Transcribed by Betty Wilson

JOSEPH J. BULLOCK

 

                  Of the names connected with the San Mateo County Bar few stand out more prominently than Joseph J. Bullock.  Mr. Bullock is still practicing at Redwood City and is finishing the twenty-fifth year that he has been before the courts of this county.

             Mr. Bullock has also played a leading role in the public life of the county.  In 1897 he was elected to succeed H.W. Walker as District Attorney.  In 1901 he was elected to succeed himself in that office and in 2905 he was returned to that position for a third time.  Being for 12 years in one of the most important political offices of the county, Mr. Bullock’s part in the growth, development and advancement of San Mateo county has been no small one.

             During his long experience as a lawyer, Mr. Bullock has been identified with some of the most important litigations in the county.  He has been especially successful in criminal practice and he is known to be one of the most able criminal lawyers of the State.

             Mr. Bullock came to California with his parents in the early eighties.  He was educated in the Santa Clara county schools and then took up the study of law under Judge Allen and other noted jurists, being admitted to the bar in 1889.  For the next three years he was associated with the Southern Pacific law department.

             At present Mr. Bullock resides at Belmont.  He is a member of the Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World.

 

Transcribed by Betty Wilson

JAMES T. CASEY

 

                  A broad stretch of waste at San Francisco’s door, which was spanned by an almost impassable road and a set of rails twenty years ago, is now one of the most highly developed and thickly populated parts of San Mateo County, a district of homes, boulevards, large industrial plants and towns.  This is the first township of San Mateo County.

             At present the first township is represented on the Board of Supervisors by James T. Casey, a man who was born and raised in this district and who has passed through, with it, all its successive stages of development.

             Born on a ranch near Colma in 1861, “Jim” Casey picked up his education while earning a livelihood.  He fought stubbornly to get ahead.  Progress for Mr. Casey was slow but certain.  His pluck and perseverance, coupled with an unshakable faith in the first township, finally earned their reward; and we find “Jim” the proprietor of two butcher shops and owning many other interests in this prospering district, which he had watched grow from a few scattered ranch houses.

             In 1908 Mr. Casey was elected Supervisor of this district.  When he took office there were nothing but wooden bridges in the township and the roads were notorious through California.  Casey’s path was again strewn with obstacles, but he courageously launched his campaign of road construction.  Every wooden bridge has been replaced with concrete or iron culverts.  The State Highway, the Ocean Boulevard, the Junipero Serra Boulevard and many miles of laterals and cross streets have been constructed and plans are under way for still greater improvements.  During his administration, also, five lighting districts were formed-at Colma, San Bruno, Lomita Park, Easton and Salada Beach.

             Mr. Casey led the fight to have the State Highway built over its present route, the most direct way to peninsula points.  He was also one of the leading spirits in the building of ocean boulevards, of which the twenty-two miles between Colma and Montara are in his township.

             Mr. Casey is engaged in the insurance and real estate business, although his duties as Supervisor of such a large township take most of his time, as he is chairman of the County Hospital and Supplies committees as well as a member of all the committees of the Board.

             He is a director of the Redwood City Commercial Bank and of the San Mateo Savings and Loan Company, and a charter member of the Mission Parlor of Native Sons.

 

Transcribed by Betty Wilson

DR. J. E. CHAPIN

 

                  An important addition to the medical fraternity in San Mateo county is Dr. J.E. Chapin who came to Redwood City three years ago to practice medicine.  Dr. Chapin came to Redwood after an extended practice in several large cities and a vast experience in his profession.

             Since taking up his residence in Redwood City, Dr. Chapin has become intimately associated with the social and business life of Redwood City.  His engaging manner and charming personality have drawn many people to him and the small circle of friends that surrounded him when he arrived, has gradually enlarged until it now includes the greater part of the community.

             Dr. Chapin has a large practice in Redwood City and the neighboring towns, families and individuals from San Carlos to Menlo Park seeking his aid at the time of sickness.

             Although Dr. Chapin’s practice demands most of his time and attention he is one of the community’s most progressive members.  He has actively co-operated in many civic movements and others have his loyal indorssement and support.

             Dr. J.E. Chapin was born in Auburn, Cal., on February 3, 1871 and has been a resident of this state for 44 years.  He was married in Chicago in 1902.  After completing a course at Stanford University Dr. Chapin graduated from the medical department of Washington University in 1909.  Dr. Chapin is a member of the Foresters, the Masons and the Knights of Pythias.

 

Transcribed by Betty Wilson