My Genealogy Hound

Thomas C. Wooten was born in Tennessee in 1842, and is descended from Scotch-English stock in his father’s line and from Scotch-Irish in his mother’s line. His parents were George W. and Eliza J. (Bryan) Wooten, both natives of Tennessee. They both died in Missouri, the father in 1870 and the mother in 1872, and were the parents of twelve children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the third. In early life Thomas C. assisted his father on the farm, and upon attaining his majority engaged in agricultural pursuits for himself, and has since continued, except what time he spent in defense of his country. In 1862 he enlisted in the Federal army, joining Company D, Seventy-sixth Missouri Enrolled Militia, but later volunteered in the Fifteenth Missouri Volunteer Cavalry. He participated in the engagements at Jefferson City, Independence, Big Blue, Osage, and many others of less importance. Being honorably discharged at Springfield, Mo., in 1865, he returned home and resumed farming. In 1867 he was united in marriage with Mary J. Matthews, who was born in St. Louis County in 1843. She is the daughter of Levi and Elizabeth (Wilcox) Matthews. To Mr. and Mrs. Wooten have been born eight children, namely: Ida B., George B., William T., Robert C., Charles L., Mary F., Pearly A. and Thomas F. For the past two years Mr. Wooten has served his township as justice of the peace, and is in office at present. He is truly a self-made man, is well respected, intelligent, and wields an influence for good in his community. Both he and his wife are earnest Christians, and members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.