Son of William Wootten and Nancy Bivens he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Boyce 16 Mar 1849 in Clark co., OH. From this union there were five children: Mary, Emma, Oscar, Eva and Lora. Census lists him as a shoemaker. The Wootten's family settled in Lord Deleware in 1632. John travelled with his family from Indiana to Illinois. Then they made their way by wagon train to California in 1864. His wife Elizabeth was ill before they left and passed away on the trip west after leaving Louisville, Colorado. Elizabeth was buried on the Old South Pass, Wyoming. In 1869 He married Mrs Martha Freeman Davis. After marriage, he gave his attention to farming. About 2 pm on Saturday, September 26, 1887, as a street car was passing through Second St between I St and the depot, the lines got beneath the horses tail and the driver, John B. Wootten, bent forward and was in the act of disengaging them when the horse kicked violently with both feet, one striking the unfortunate man near the left ear and the other in the neck. He was knocked back into the car, and fell insensible. A number of persons hastened to his assistance, among them officer Ash, who procured a vehicle and took him to the Receiving hospital, but he died about the time he arrived there. The coroner was notified,took charge of the remains and will hold an inquest in the case this morning. Notwithstanding the force of the blows Mr. Wootten received, the only mark upon his head or face is a slight scratch near the corner of the mouth, and it is believed that his neck was broken. Deceased was over 60 years of age and worked for the street railroad company for a long time, until about a year ago, when he removed to Linden, San Joaquin co., but came her to drive cars during the fair.
Obituary: Died. Sacramento, September 24—J. B. Wootten, a native of Delaware, 65 years and 20 day. [Remains will be shipped to Linden, San Joaquin county, this morning for Interment](Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 58, Number 31, 26 September 1887, p. 3, col 4)