Warren W. Tolman Explained

Warren W. Tolman (December 8, 1861 – May 15, 1940)^{[1] [2]} was a justice of the Washington Supreme Court from 1918 to 1937.

Born in Illinois, Tolman received a law degree from Northwestern University in 1888.^{[1] [2]}

He moved to Washington in 1892, and served in the Washington State Senate from 1901 to 1905.^{[2] [3]} He ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the supreme court in 1906 and 1910.^[1] In 1914, he was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for a seat in the United States Congress.^[3]

On May 11, 1918, Governor Ernest Lister jointly appointed Tolman and John R. Mitchell to vacant seats on the court.^{[2] [3] [4]}

Tolman was chief justice from 1925 to 1926, and from 1931 to 1932.^[2] Tolman resigned from the court in 1937 due to failing health.^[1]

Tolman and his wife Maude had one daughter and one son.^[1] Tolman died at his home in Spokane at the age of 79.^[1]

Notes and References

1. "Warren Tolman Dies In Spokane", The Olympian (May 16, 1940), p. 1.
2. Web site: Guide to the Warren W. Tolman Papers 1898-1938. Washington State University Libraries. April 30, 2023.
3. "W. W. Tolman to Supreme Bench", The Spokesman-Review (May 12, 1918), p. 1-2.
4. "Governor Picks Two Justices", Salem Statesman Journal (May 12, 1918), p. 1.