A native of Fultonham, New York, Bouck was educated in the local schools while working on his family's farm and became a farmer himself.

[2] His siblings included Joseph Bouck, who served as a member of the United States House of Representatives.

[1] Bouck became a farmer and began a long career in government and public service in 1807, when he was elected as Fulton's town clerk.

[1] When the Federalist Party became dormant and the Democratic-Republican followers of Andrew Jackson began calling themselves Democrats, Bouck became a leader of the Albany Regency, the clique led by Martin Van Buren which dominated New York state's Democratic Party.

[1] During the nineteen years he served on the commission, he oversaw construction of the Erie Canal west of the Genesee River.

[1] During his service as a canal commissioner, Bouck frequently carried large sums of cash from Albany in order to pay construction crews in western New York.

[1] Both well-known and highly visible as he traveled alone on his favorite mount, he earned the nickname "White Horse Bouck", and was held in such great esteem that he was never accosted or robbed.

[15] Under this provision if a tenant sold his lease, he had to pay his patroon one quarter of the sale price or one additional year's rent.

[16] When the tenants could not pay and could not negotiate for favorable repayment terms, they were threatened with eviction and a revolt ensued.

[2] They were the parents of 13 children,[2] including: Gabriel Bouck commanded the 18th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War.

[25] Bouck Hall, the student activities building at the State University of New York at Cobleskill is also named after him.