James Henry Tolman, son of Philander and Laura Kelton Tolman was born in Harrison, Maine, 22 Oct 1853 and lived in the city of Westbrook. He was educated in the Harrison schools, and Bridgton Academy, from which he graduated in 1876.
After leaving school he took up the study of law in the office of the Hon. Caleb A. Chaplin, who later became his father-in-law. In 1879 he was admitted to practice in the courts of Maine and commenced the practice of law at Casco, Maine in 1881, and was also engaged in the milling business in that town.
In 1886, he was elected as a member of the Board of County Commissioners by the Republicans of Cumberland County, and held the office for six years.
He removed from Casco about 1891, and located in Westbrook in Dec 1893. He lived in Portland for a time, although he maintained his legal residence in Casco until 1891. Just previous to the expiration of his term of office as county commissioner he was appointed as Judge of the Municipal Court in that city, and retained in the position for some time. He was very popular in the city of his residence, and had been three times re-appointed as judge, and his many friends in his native town always took pleasure in assisting him as much as possible. He continued the practice of law, and was quite prominent in the profession.
For many years Mr. Tolman was an active figure in the political history of Cumberland County, and during all that time held a prominent place in the councils of the Republican party, and it is no idle compliment to say of him that for years he was looked upon as a perfectly straight and reliable man, whether as a lawyer at the bar, or as public official or as a citizen in the private walks of life.
Many years ago, while living in Harrison, he held and most acceptably filled the office of school agent of that town and in 1882 he was elected town clerk of Casco. For several years he was city solicitor of Westbrook and for more than 4 years he has been a member of the board of trade of that city.
He is a member of the Sons of Temperance, a charter member of the Order of United American Mechanics, and a Master Mason.
In 1877 James Henry married Ella Chaplin, daughter of Caleb A. and Abigail M. Chaplin Chaplin and had three children: Ella M., born October 10,1877, a teacher in the Portland high school; George E., Jul 17, 1880, a graduate of Colby College, and also of the electrical engineering course of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Abbie Laura, born September 27, 1883, a student of music.
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