1885 – 1925 (June 9)

James Benedict Bolton was born in Danville, Pennsylvania, on May 15, 1885, the son of Edward J. Bolton, a laborer, and Honora Bolton. James studied at Saint James Parochial School in Steelton, Pa., and worked as a barber.

He entered the novitiate at Villanova, Pa. in 1908, and made his profession of simple vows on July 7, 1909. On September 22nd of that year he left to pursue studies in Italy, and was solemnly professed on October 24, 1912 at Saint Monica College in Rome, together with John Motley. The two were ordained at the Scala Santa Church in Rome by Cardinal Pamphili on July 24, 1914. They returned to the United States shortly thereafter.

Father Bolton was sent in June, 1915, to Saint James Parish in Carthage, New York, and then served in Pennsylvania at Our Mother of Good Counsel in Bryn Mawr, and at Our Mother of Consolation in Chestnut Hill.

Father Bolton died suddenly on June 9, 1925 at the age of 40. Prior Provincial Nicholas Vasey celebrated the funeral Mass at Chestnut Hill, after which Father Bolton was buried in the Community Cemetery at Villanova.