Charles H. Colton

Charles Colton was born in New York City to Patrick Smith and Teresa Augusta (née Mullin) Colton, who were Irish immigrants.[1] He received his early education at Public School No. 5 and the Latin school of St. Stephen's Church.[1] As a boy, he held a clerical position in a dry goods store.[2] In 1869, he entered St. Francis Xavier College, from where he later graduated in 1873.[3] He then made his theological studies at St. Joseph's Seminary in Troy.[2]

Colton was ordained to the priesthood on June 10, 1876.[4] His first assignment was as a curate at St. Stephen's Church under Father Edward McGlynn.[3] He remained at St. Stephen's for ten years, and during that time also served as a chaplain at Bellevue Hospital.[1] In 1886, he was named pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Church in Port Chester.[2]

Following the excommunication of the controversial Father Glynn, he returned to St. Stephen's Church in 1887 to assist Father Arthur Donnelly, who had been assigned as temporary administrator.[1] Later that year, he assumed the role of St. Stephen's upon Donnelly's resignation.[1] He enjoyed remarkable success in his new post, restoring harmony among the congregation, eliminating the parish debt of $152,000, and establishing a parochial school.[3] In addition to his pastoral duties, he became chancellor of the Archdiocese of New York in 1896.[3]

On June 10, 1903, Colton was appointed the fourth Bishop of Buffalo by Pope Leo XIII.[4] He received his episcopal consecration on the following August 24 from Archbishop John Murphy Farley, with Bishops Bernard John McQuaid and Charles Edward McDonnell serving as co-consecrators, in St. Patrick's Cathedral.[4] During his tenure, the diocese was composed of 72 churches, 18 combination school-churches, 30 schools, 12 academies, 13 hospitals, and charitable institutions, 6 convents, and 28 rectories.[5]

Colton died at age 66. He is buried in the crypt of St. Joseph's Cathedral.[5]