William C. Bouck
Encyclopedia
William Christian Bouck (January 7, 1786 – April 19, 1859) was an American politician from New York
. He was the 13th Governor of New York from 1843 to 1844.
, Charles Bouck (b. Sept. 9, 1829), Catherine Bouck (b. July 11, 1820; married Erskine Danforth), Caroline Bouck (married Dr. Volney Danforth), and Anna Bouck (b. Dec. 29, 1814; married Lyman Sanford).
He was Sheriff of Schoharie County from 1812 to 1813. He was a member from Schoharie County of the New York State Assembly
from 1814 to 1816 and in 1818. He was a member of the New York State Senate
from 1820 to 1822. From 1821 to 1840, he was a member of the Erie Canal Commission
.
He was known as "white horse" Bouck, in the days when the Erie Canal was being built. Bouck was responsible for carrying the pay for the workers at the western end of the Erie Canal project. He carried the full saddlebags of money regularly to the workers, alone, riding a white horse, and never once was molested or robbed.
In November 1840, Bouck ran for Governor of New York
on the Democratic ticket with Daniel S. Dickinson
, but they were defeated by the Whig incumbents William H. Seward
and Luther Bradish
. In November 1842, Bouck and Dickinson ran and this time were elected, defeating the Whig candidates Bradish and Gabriel Furman.
He was buried in Middleburgh, New York
.
Congressman Joseph Bouck
was his brother. His son Gabriel Bouck
was the Attorney General of Wisconsin.
The town of Bouckville, in central New York state, is named after him.
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He was the 13th Governor of New York from 1843 to 1844.
Life
He was the son of Christian Bouck (1753–1836) and Margaret (Borst) Bouck (1762–1806). He married Catherine Lawyer (1787–1865), and their children were James Madison Bouck, Joseph William Bouck (b. Oct. 27, 1809), Christian Bouck (b. May 14, 1818), Gabriel BouckGabriel Bouck
Gabriel Bouck was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Wisconsin. He also served in the Wisconsin State Assembly and as the state's attorney general.-Early years:...
, Charles Bouck (b. Sept. 9, 1829), Catherine Bouck (b. July 11, 1820; married Erskine Danforth), Caroline Bouck (married Dr. Volney Danforth), and Anna Bouck (b. Dec. 29, 1814; married Lyman Sanford).
He was Sheriff of Schoharie County from 1812 to 1813. He was a member from Schoharie County of the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
from 1814 to 1816 and in 1818. He was a member of the New York State Senate
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
from 1820 to 1822. From 1821 to 1840, he was a member of the Erie Canal Commission
Erie Canal Commission
The New York State Legislature appointed in 1810 a Commission to Explore a Route for a Canal to Lake Erie, and Report which became known as the Erie Canal Commission...
.
He was known as "white horse" Bouck, in the days when the Erie Canal was being built. Bouck was responsible for carrying the pay for the workers at the western end of the Erie Canal project. He carried the full saddlebags of money regularly to the workers, alone, riding a white horse, and never once was molested or robbed.
In November 1840, Bouck ran for Governor of New York
Governor of New York
The Governor of the State of New York is the chief executive of the State of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military and naval forces. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of His/Her...
on the Democratic ticket with Daniel S. Dickinson
Daniel S. Dickinson
Daniel Stevens Dickinson was a New York politician, most notable as a United States Senator from 1844 to 1851.-Biography:...
, but they were defeated by the Whig incumbents William H. Seward
William H. Seward
William Henry Seward, Sr. was the 12th Governor of New York, United States Senator and the United States Secretary of State under Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson...
and Luther Bradish
Luther Bradish
Luther Bradish was an American lawyer and politician who served as Lieutenant Governor of New York from 1839 to 1842.-Life:...
. In November 1842, Bouck and Dickinson ran and this time were elected, defeating the Whig candidates Bradish and Gabriel Furman.
He was buried in Middleburgh, New York
Middleburgh (town), New York
Middleburgh is a town in Schoharie County, New York, USA. The population was 3,515 at the 2000 census.The Town of Middleburgh contains a village called Middleburgh...
.
Congressman Joseph Bouck
Joseph Bouck
Joseph Bouck was a U.S. Representative from New York, brother of William C. Bouck, and uncle of Gabriel Bouck.Born on Bouck's Island, near Fultonham, New York, Bouck attended the rural schools of his native county....
was his brother. His son Gabriel Bouck
Gabriel Bouck
Gabriel Bouck was a member of the United States House of Representatives from Wisconsin. He also served in the Wisconsin State Assembly and as the state's attorney general.-Early years:...
was the Attorney General of Wisconsin.
The town of Bouckville, in central New York state, is named after him.
Sources
- http://www.schohariehistory.net/Review/Spring2003/Hagan.htm Bio
- http://www.oshkoshmuseum.org/Virtual/exhibit3/e30040a.htm Gabriel Bouck Bio - Oshkosh Public Museum
- William C. Bouck: New York's Farmer Governor by Edward A. Hagan, Mark Sullivan and Lester Hendrix (Heritage Books, 2007, ISBN 0788438360 , ISBN 9780788438363)
- The New York Civil List compiled by Franklin Benjamin Hough (pages 31, 42, 124, 138, 188, 190f, 194, 260 and 407; Weed, Parsons and Co., 1858)