Warren W. Tolman was born 8 December 1861 in Illinois. He graduated with a law degree from Northwestern University in 1888 and practiced law in Chicago until 1892, when he moved to Spokane for reasons relating to his wife's health. Tolman served in the state senate from 1901 to 1905. He campaigned unsuccessfully for the state supreme court in 1906 and 1910. He practiced law from 1905 until 1918 when he was appointed to the state supreme court by Governor Ernest Lister. Tolman served on the court until his retirement in 1937 and was twice Chief Justice, from 1925 to 1926 and from 1931 to 1932. He died on 15 May 1940.
Tolman, known as a progressive democrat and able parliamentarian, was notable for his efforts to establish a railroad commission. In addition to his state service, he also served on the Spokane school board from 1903 to 1906 and as a member of the Washington State Commission to the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition in 1904.
From the guide to the Warren W. Tolman Papers, 1898-1938, (Washington State University Libraries Manuscripts, Archives, and Special Collections)
