Draft:Edward B. Gager

Edward Baker Gager (August 30, 1852 – April 28, 1922) was a justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court from 1918 to 1922.

Born on his father's farm in Scotland, Connecticut.

He prepared for Yale College at the Natchaug High School in Willimantic, and was graduated in 1877; two of the present members of the Court, and its Reporter, being his classmates.

He won distinction in college by reason of excellence in English and elocution, and was chosen class orator at graduation. For four years thereafter he was principal of the Ansonia public schools; during this same time reading law in the office of Wooster & Torrance, by whom he was admitted to partnership in January, 1882. The successive names of Wooster, Torrance & Gager; Wooster, Williams & Gager; and Williams & Gager, are well known, highly honored, and without stain.

His first judicial appointment was that of Judge of the Town Court of Derby in 1889. Until 1901, when he was appointed by Governor McLean a Judge of the Superior Court, he was engaged in very active practice both in the higher courts and before legislative committees. As counsel for several electric railways, in their earliest days, his influence was very great, in the shaping of general legislation which sought justly to balance the rights and duties of the State, the municipalities, and the companies. He was so fairminded, so skilful a draftsman, so cordial in manner, and so persuasive in argument, that his work was most effective.

In the courts he prepared his cases thoroughly and tried them well. He was a forcible and eloquent speaker and achieved a high measure of success, whether before court or jury. His ethical standards were very high, and he lived up to them.

As a Judge of the Superior Court he was patient, accommodating, fair, and impartial. When he properly could do so, he brushed technicalities aside, and decided his cases in accordance with sound common sense, and a strong sense of justice.

He presided with a gracious dignity, upon which few cared, and none dared, to presume.

Off the bench, he associated with the members of the bar, as one of them, without constraint on either side. At bar dinners and banquets, he was in great demand as a speaker, and always ready to respond.

On February 20th, 1917, he was appointed an associate justice of the Supreme Court of Errors, to take effect upon August 30th, 1918, his birthday. Though his term of service in this court was short, he fulfilled the expectations which his experience and career warranted. His opinions were well reasoned, carefully prepared, and clearly stated.

His work at the bar and upon the bench, however, by no means fully measured his activities. He held many positions of public and private trust. From its institution in 1890, he was a member of the State Bar Examining Committee, and served as its chairman until his death. This work was very near to his heart, and to it he devoted a great deal of time and attention. When, as often, others remonstrated with him for doing more than his share of the work, his answer always was: “My time belongs to the State. With you men it is different.” He was chairman of the New Haven County Bar Library Committee, and in this work, also, took a deep interest.

In 1892 he became an instructor in the Yale Law School, and in 1903 was appointed Professor of General Jurisprudence, though he taught many other subjects. He had remarkable gifts as a teacher, and was greatly beloved by his students. His interest in them did not cease when they left the classroom, but he was always ready to aid them in their difficulties, and his influence and friendship helped to mould the character and career of many men who gladly testify to how much they owed to him.

His was a very active, philosophical and versatile mind. He read much, not only in English, but in other languages, and was a deeply interested student in many branches of learning. He was a profound student of Dante, and personally made an excellent collection of books and prints relating to Dante, his works, and his times. He traveled much; he loved music and good literature, and had a keenly developed taste in each. His was a rich, full and well-rounded life, and he enjoyed it to the full.

Until shortly before his death he had always been in good health. In January of this year he was stricken down, but partially recovered, and insisted upon returning to active work. When the final stroke came, on April 22d, he was seated at his desk in his chambers at the Court House, with unfinished opinions and examination questions before him. He died six days later.

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References

Category:1852 births Category:1922 deaths Category:Justices of the Connecticut Supreme Court

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