Father Buck was born in a little log cabin located on the banks of the Minnesota River.  His parents were both Presbyterians and he was raised in a strict Calvinistic home.  It was after he had joined the Catholic Church that he decided to serve the Lord as a priest.  He attended the St. John Seminary in Collegeville, Minnesota, and later transferred to Mt. Angel Seminary. 

In 1909 Father Buck was appointed as the first resident pastor of the St. Philip's Parish, Forest Grove, by the Most Rev. Archbishop Christie.  The name of the parish was changed from St. Philip's to St. Anthony's by Father Buck at the request of the Catholic Extension Society, through which organization Father Buck received a large donation toward the cost of building a new church.  During Father Buck's pastorate in Forest Grove, he was instrumental in building churches in Forest Grove, Cornelius and Gaston.

Father Buck served St. Anthony's of Forest Grove and the attached missions of Cornelius and Seghers (located 3 miles east of Gaston).  A few years later, a chapel was built in Gaston with funds received from the Extension Society.  In 1910, the mission of St. Alexander and in 1912, the mission of St. John had become attached to the Forest Grove Parish.

When he was first appointed pastor in Forest Grove, a census of Catholics disclosed seven families - three of which were mixed marriages.

He served the Forest Grove parish for 8 years and was then assigned to the St. Joseph's Church in Salem.  During his pastorate in Forest Grove he was assisted by the Holy Cross Fathers.