He served as the bishop of the new Diocese of Buffalo in Western New York and founder of the brothers of the Holy Infancy religious order.

In 1803 the family moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where James Timon started a dry goods store.

[3] This trip included many nights sleeping on floors, traveling through rough terrain, and patiently dealing with prejudice from some non-Catholics.

In dealing with one host who thought Catholics were idolaters, Timon asked her if she worshipped a picture of George Washington on her wall She said certainly not, that it was a source of inspiration.

[1][2] Timon returned to France in 1841, where he met with the superiors general and visited many Vincentian congregations near Paris.

Between 1842 and 1847, Timon received requests from prelates in Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Louisville and New York to visit their seminaries and enact necessary reforms.

[2] On April 23, 1847, Pope Pius IX erected the Diocese of Buffalo and appointed Timon as its first bishop.

Timon was consecrated on October 17, 1847 at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City by Archbishop John Hughes.

[6] St. Bonaventure University was founded by Utica, New York financier Nicholas Devereux with assistance from Timon.

The two invited the Franciscan order to Western New York, and a small group under Father Pamfilo of Magliano OFM arrived in 1856.