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biography from Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
JAMES B. BOLTON, senior partner of the firm of Bolton & McCoy, attorneys at Oskaloosa, was born near Mt. Vernon, Ohio, Dec. 21, 1840, and is the son of A. J. and Jane (Price) Bolton, both of whom were natives of Ohio. Here J. B. was reared until twenty-thrce years of age, attending Martinsburg Seminary for three years, and teaching in one department for two years as assistant of Profs. Downs and Finney. Following this he took up the study of law with Messrs. Scribner & Curtis, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, but at the end of six months abandoned his reading on account of expense, and followed teaching for a time. Mr. Bolton enlisted in the 3d Ohio Infantry at the first call, and was soon after discharged, as he could not pass muster by reason of disability. In March, 1863, he came to Poweshiek County, Iowa, where he followed teaching and farming up to the year l866, when he was engaged in farming until 1870, in the meantime pursuing his legal studies and purchasing his library. He came to Oskaloosa in 1870, and the following year was admitted to the bar. In 1874 the present firm of Bolton & McCoy was formed. Mr. Bolton was made a Mason in Oskaloosa, and is a Knight Ternplar. His early political affiliations were with the Republican party, but of late years he has cast his lot with the Democracy. He is not what would be termed a politician, and has never sought nor desired office. He is a fluent speaker, and is a tower of strength to his party in the active work of the campaign. Mr. Bolton takes an active interest in all affairs of the county, and evinces great interest in her prosperity and that of the city. He is one of the leading attorneys of the county, and the firm of which he is a member enjoys a lucrative and growing practice. Our subject was married in Mahaska County, Iowa, March 16, 1866, to Annie McMains, a daughter of John and Jane (Goddard) McMains. Mrs. Bolton was born in this county. The issue of this marriage is one son, Leslie, who is at present attending school at Notre Dame, Ind.
Portrait & Biographical Album of Mahaska Co., Iowa, 1887
Mahaska County, Iowa Genealogy