Description:This is an abridged version of his biography from the Handsworth Magazine. The full version is available as a download.
Few men are more closely linked with the Handsworth of the past 30 years or so than Mr George E Wootton of Handsworth Wood (he lived at "Chaseley" 97 Handsworth Wood Road).
Mr Wootton was born on November 17th, 1846, just outside the boundary of Handsworth. Perhaps the pleasantest recognition he received on his jubilee birthday was the official notification of his appointment as Justice of the Peace for the County of Stafford.
Like many other prominent Handsworthians he was educated at Kings Edward's School, Birmingham. He was placed under Dr Gifford and his first class master was the Rev. J Merrick Guest, M.A., afterwards headmaster at the Handsworth Grammar School. At the famous Birmingham School he obtained a sound practical education and when at the age of 17, he bade farewell to school and entered upon his business career, he was well equipped, mentally and physically, for the battle of life. He was articled for four years to the well-known firm of Joshua Schofield, Sons and Goodman, Merchants, of the Minories, Birmingham.
Mr Wootton next entered the employ of Thos. Atkins and Co., with whose chemical works at Smethwick his father and other relatives were associated. These works, or the building at any rate (the business having changed in form), are now owned by Sir Henry Wiggin and Co.
In 1875, Mr Wootton started in business as a hardware factor, in partnership with his brother, Mr John Wootton and Mr T H Radford, at their present address in Newton Street, Birmingham.
In 1877, he was married to Miss May Kathleen, daughter of the late Mr Robert Best (of the well-known firm of Best and Lloyd, Handsworth).
He is the son of a consistent Liberal Nonconformist and as such was at one time regular in his attendance at Union Row Congregational Church. This is rather like harking back to ancient history, however, since Mr Wootton's natural bend towards the ritual of the Anglican Church led him many years ago into the path of conformity and peace. His first experience of the mother church was gained at Holy Trinity, Birchfield, where in course of time he held the offices of Vicar and people's warden.
Removing to Handsworth Wood, he dissevered his connection with Holy Trinity Church and attached himself to the Parish Church of St Mary's. Here he again served as warden. During his term of office as parishioners warden an interregnum occurred between the sale of the advowson of the Parish Church and the appointment of the present Rector (Rev. Prebendary Hodgson) and abundant testimony is forthcoming of the great tact and ability he displayed in this anxious period.
Upon the important services which, Mr Wootton has rendered to the Conservative Party in Handsworth Division it is not necessary to expatiate. For several consecutive years he has acted as Chairman of the Handsworth Conservative Association and has given ungrudgingly of his time and talents to the party cause. He is a thorough-going Unionist and under his chairmanship, the Conservatives have of late years secured many notable triumphs.
For 24 years Mr Wootton has been a member of the Masonic order, filling in succession all the offices of his various lodges and chapters. He is a past officer of the Provincial Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of Warwickshire.