As a boy, he held a clerical position in a dry goods store. In 1869, Colton entered St. Francis Xavier College in Manhattan, graduating in 1873. He then studied theology at St. Joseph's Seminary in Troy, New York.
As a young man, he held a clerical position in a retail store. In 1869, Colton enrolled at St. Francis Xavier College in Manhattan, graduating in 1873. He then studied theology at St. Joseph's Seminary in Troy, New York.