Career
Prior to his federal political experience, he was reeve of South Dufferin and Pemble, Manitoba between 1880 and 1894 and reeve of Pembina, Manitoba between 1891 and 1894. Bolton was also Postmaster of Calf Mountain from 1881 to 1900, and postmaster at Darlingford from 1913 to 1917. He was the son of John F. and May "Hannah" Bolton.