Born in Clark County, Ohio, Warrington joined the United States Army during the American Civil War, serving in the 110th Ohio Infantry from 1862 to 1865.

[1] He was president of the Ohio State Bar Association in 1902.

[3] Warrington was nominated by President William Howard Taft on March 16, 1909, to a joint seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the United States Circuit Courts for the Sixth Circuit vacated by Judge John K. Richards.

He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 16, 1909, and received his commission the same day.

He assumed senior status on October 6, 1919, becoming the first judge to enter this form of semi-retirement, which had recently been created by statute.