Bolton was born in Chicago and attended Chicago public schools.[1] He was in the floral business and insurance business.[1] A Democrat, he was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the Second District, in the fall of 1930, taking office in early 1931.[2][3] He was re-elected in 1932,[4] and in 1934 (unopposed).[5][1]
Bolton was shot to death following a car chase in Chicago shortly after midnight on July 9, 1936.[6] The Associated Press reported that he may have been assassinated by organized crime figures due to his efforts to legalize some forms of betting,[6] and the Chicago Tribune attributed his death to "gangsters" in a page-one story.[7] The Tribune also published photos of Bolton's car, which had crashed at Washtenaw Avenue and Harrison Street, and noted that Bolton had a brother who had been a prohibition gangster.[8] A follow-up story by the United Press reported that Bolton may have been killed because he was unsuccessful in helping some prisoners in the Joliet Penitentiary get parole.[9] Bolton was buried at All Saints Cemetery in Chicago.[10] His assailants were not caught and remain unknown.
Bolton was married and had two foster children at the time of his death.[6]
