Edmond Galbraith Toomey was born in Deer Lodge, Montana, on September 13, 1892, the son of Humphrey and Mary (Galbraith) Toomey. He attended school in Deer Lodge and college at Pomona, and in 1916 received his law degree from the University of Wisconsin. He served in the American Expeditionary Force in Europe during World War I, first as a major in the judge advocate's office, although later he decided to serve as a common soldier. After the war, Toomey began his practice as an attorney in Helena. From 1920 to 1927 he served as counsel for three governors, Stewart, Dixon, and Erickson, as well as the Montana Railroad and Public Service Commission. He also served four terms in the Montana Legislative Assembly. In 1925, he was one of the founders of the Corporation Company, which aimed to assist companies in managing their affairs. He married Ruth Egge in 1925 and together they had one son, Bruce. Edmond G. Toomey died in his law office on September 7, 1960, just short of his 68th birthday.