Judge & Attorney Biographies

As Printed in the Connecticut Reports, volume 105, pages 780 - 782

EDMUND ZACHER was born in Hartford December 12th, 1853, and died at his home in Branford February 23d, 1925. He prepared for college in the public schools of Hartford and entered Yale College in the fall of 1870. During his undergraduate life in Yale College he was a member of Alpha Delta Phi and Phi Beta Kappa. He received his degree of Bachelor of Arts in June, 1874, and was a teacher for seven years, first as principal of the Branford High School from 1874 to 1876, and a tutor in German in Yale College from 1876 to 1881. He studied law while engaged in teaching, partly in a law office and partly in the Yale Law School. He received his degree of Bachelor of Laws from the Yale Law School in 1878. From the date of his graduation until his death he was in active practice of the law in New Haven. At the time of his death he had been a lawyer nearly forty-seven years. He was associated with Lynde Harrison in the practice of law from 1878 to 1906, when Mr. Harrison died. He was associated with William H. Ely from 1907 until 1909, when William H. Ely died. In 1907 William B. Ely became associated with his father and Judge Zacher and continued his association with Judge Zacher until the latter’s death. For the past twelve years Judge Zacher’s son, Louis B. Zacher, had also practiced law with his father. The firm name at various times was Harrison and Zacher, Zacher and Ely, and Zacher, Ely and Zacher. Judge Zacher was judge of the Branford Town Court from 1897 to 1901, and from 1903 to 1905. He was executive secretary to Governor Thomas M. Waller of Connecticut, from 1883 to 1885. He was president of the New Haven County Bar Association in 1917 and 1918. In 1893 he was appointed one of the original trustees of The James Blackstone Memorial Library in Branford, and served first as secretary and later as president of the library.

Judge Zacher, for some years before his death, was the leader of the New Haven County bar. As a trial lawyer he excelled because of his thorough preparation and intimate knowledge of the case. He was a profound student of the law. His knowledge of fundamental principles of jurisprudence enabled him to think clearly and to expound questions of law in a convincing manner. He never made any claims of law of the truth of which he was not himself thoroughly convinced. He was absolutely honest in his claims of both law and fact. He was universally recognized, both in New Haven County and throughout the State of Connecticut, as a lawyer of great learning and ability. His relations with the younger members of the bar were delightful. Many lawyers found solace and comfort in friendly conferences with him. He was never too busy to talk with his brother lawyers about their cases. The approach to Judge Zacher was always easy. Even when he was busy with dictation or with his papers he would look up to see some friend standing in the doorway and at once put aside his work and welcome the friend with a pleasant word. It was a joy to be associated with him in the preparation and trial of a case. He had a keen sense of humor and a thorough knowledge of men. The combination of profound learning and profound common sense made him a great lawyer. During the last few years of his practice he spent much of his time as a consultant with other lawyers and gave both his associates and their clients complete satisfaction. He was a warm personal friend as well as an associate to many of the lawyers in the county. His delightful personality endeared him to all who came in contact with him. He will be greatly missed by friends at the bar.

Judge Zacher married Miss Julia A. M. Griswold in Meriden On May 18th, 1881. He is survived by his widow, two daughters. Miss Madolin R. Zacher, and Mrs. Normand D. (Natalie B.) Brainard, and one son, Louis B. Zacher.

The New Haven County Bar Association at a meeting held shortly after Judge Zacher’s death passed the following Resolution:

RESOLVED: By his death the bar of Connecticut has lost one of its most able and respected leaders. A keen and orderly intellect, a complete comprehension of legal principles, an untiring industry, a reliance upon thorough preparation only, a uniform courtesy toward all, coupled with fidelity and integrity in all relations—there were the qualities and characteristics which made him a highly respected and eminent leader of the bar.

*Prepared by James E. Wheeler, Esq., of the New Haven bar, at the request of the Reporter.

As Printed in the Connecticut Reports, volume 251, page iii

Appointed to the Appellate Court November 22, 1999, to take effect January 3, 2000. 

As Printed in the Connecticut Reports, volume 255, page iii

Appointed to the Supreme Court January 17, 2001, to take effect January 22, 2001.