John M. Bolton
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives for the Second District
In office
1931 – July 9, 1936
Personal details
Born(1901-10-05)October 5, 1901[1]
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedJuly 9, 1936(1936-07-09) (aged 34)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Cause of deathShooting
Resting placeAll Saints Cemetery
Political partyDemocratic
EducationChicago Public Schools

John M. Bolton (October 5, 1901 – July 9, 1936) was an assassinated American businessman who served as a Democratic member of the Illinois House of Representatives.

Biography

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]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Edward J. Hughes, ed. (1935–1936). Blue Book of the State of Illinois. The State of Illinois. p. 136 – via idaillinois.org.
  2. ↑ "Board Hears 46 More Protests". Chicago Tribune. February 1, 1931. p. 5. Retrieved January 10, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "Chicago Representation at Springfield". Chicago Tribune. October 15, 1932. p. 6. Retrieved January 10, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "Democrat Vote Record Number For This State". The Dispatch. Moline, Illinois. April 14, 1932. Retrieved January 10, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Legislators who are sure to win today". Belleville News-Democrat. Belleville, Illinois. UP. November 6, 1934. p. 2. Retrieved January 9, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  6. 1 2 3 "John Bolton, Chicago Man, Shot, Killed". Kenosha News. Kenosha, Wisconsin. AP. July 9, 1936. p. 2. Retrieved January 9, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "John M. Bolton Shot to Death by Gangsters". Chicago Tribune. July 9, 1936. p. 1. Retrieved January 9, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "After Assassins Did Their Work". Chicago Tribune. July 9, 1936. p. 34. Retrieved January 9, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "Police Uncover New Reason for Bolton Murder". Oshkosh Northwestern. Oshkosh, Wisconsin. UP. July 11, 1936. p. 2. Retrieved January 9, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "Hunt Paid Killers In Bolton Slaying". Herald & Review. Decatur, Illinois. July 14, 1936. p. 3. Retrieved January 9, 2022 – via newspapers.com.
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