# Daniel Buck (judge) *American attorney, politician, and jurist (1829–1905) who served in the Minnesota House, the Minnesota Senate, and the Minnesota Supreme Court.* Daniel Buck (September 28, 1829 – May 21, 1905) was a lawyer, legislator and judge in [[Minnesota]].[^1] A native of New York, he came to [[Minnesota Territory]] in 1857 and made his home in what became [[Mankato]], where he helped found several local institutions.[^2] Buck sat in the [[Minnesota House of Representatives]] as a Democrat in 1866 and in the [[Minnesota Senate]] from 1879 to 1883. He was an associate justice of the [[Minnesota Supreme Court]] from 1894 to 1899.[^3] In 1904 he published *Indian Outbreaks*.[^4] ## Early life and education Buck was a native of Boonville, New York. He read law at New York Law School and then gained admission to the New York State Bar Association.[^5] ## Career In 1857 Buck relocated to Minnesota Territory. He later made his home in the place that would become Mankato.[^2] In 1858 he saw the aftermath of the Battle of Shakopee, which the cited article describes as the last major battle between the [[Dakota]] and Ojibwe.[^2] The cited article names Buck as a central figure in establishing the Village of Mankato, the Mankato Normal School, and the Mankato Area Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of both the Mankato School Board and the Minnesota State Normal School Board.[^2] Buck won a House seat as a Democrat and served in 1866. He served in the Senate from 1879 through 1883.[^3] He joined the Supreme Court as an associate justice in 1894. He left the court in 1899, resigning because his wife was ill.[^3] *Indian Outbreaks* appeared in 1904. The cited article says the book concerns the "Indian troubles in Minnesota" and gives particular attention to the Spirit Lake actions. Buck meant the book to give a judicially impartial account.[^4] ## Personal life Buck died in Mankato on May 21, 1905.[^1][^6] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia, *Daniel Buck (judge)* (revision 1365540114, retrieved 2026-10-26) — life dates (September 28, 1829 – May 21, 1905); attorney, politician, and jurist. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Buck_(judge)> [^2]: Wikipedia, *Daniel Buck (judge)* (revision 1365540114, retrieved 2026-10-26) — 1857 move to Minnesota Territory; settlement at Mankato; Battle of Shakopee aftermath (1858); Mankato founding and board roles. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Buck_(judge)> [^3]: Wikipedia, *Daniel Buck (judge)* (revision 1365540114, retrieved 2026-10-26) — House service as a Democrat (1866); Senate (1879–1883); associate justice (1894–1899); resignation for his wife's ill health. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Buck_(judge)> [^4]: Wikipedia, *Daniel Buck (judge)* (revision 1365540114, retrieved 2026-10-26) — 1904 publication of *Indian Outbreaks*; Spirit Lake focus; intended impartiality. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Buck_(judge)> [^5]: Wikipedia, *Daniel Buck (judge)* (revision 1365540114, retrieved 2026-10-26) — birthplace Boonville, New York; New York Law School; New York State Bar Association. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Buck_(judge)> [^6]: Wikipedia, *Daniel Buck (judge)* (revision 1365540114, retrieved 2026-10-26) — death in Mankato, Minnesota. <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Buck_(judge)>