My Genealogy Hound

James D. Wooten was born in Jefferson County, Tenn., on February 15, 1836, and was partly reared in his native county. His father, Stewart Wooten, died when the former was young, after which he went with his mother and the rest of her family to McMinn County, Tenn., where the mother died. James D. then went to Bradley County, Tenn., where he grew to manhood. In 1858 he came to Sarcoxie, Jasper Co., Mo., in which county he taught three terms of school. He taught one term in Newton County, and in 1860 came to where he now lives, in Barry County, after which he taught school one term. In 1861 he engaged in farming, and when the war broke out he enlisted in Company I, Eighth Missouri Infantry, with which he served until hostilities ceased. He was lieutenant in the company, and was captured while on detached duty, and held prisoner at Johnson’s Island, Ohio, for eleven months. Since the war he has been successfully engaged in farming. He also sold hardware at Exeter from 1881 till 1883, his being the first hardware store in the place. From 1873 to 1874 he served as assessor, and from 1875 to 1876 as sheriff. In 1880 he took the census in two townships. He owns two farms, comprising 310 acres, which is in a fine state of cultivation, and is located in Shoal Creek Valley. His marriage with Mary M. Price was celebrated on September 16, 1860. She is a daughter of Charles I. Price. Their union has been blessed by the birth of eight children, five of whom, Charles S., William T., Horace H., Mary C. and Emily, are living. One daughter, Darthulia A., died after reaching womanhood, and the other two died in infancy. Mr. Wooten and wife are consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. He is a stanch Democrat, and is a highly-respected citizen.