John was the first NZ born Wheeler, arriving in the world on the 25 Nov 1870 at Gebbies Valley, Canterbury, New Zealand
On the 12 Apr 1898 at Tai Tapu, Selwyn, Canterbury, New Zealand, John married Maria Fussell. Maria was from a strong pioneering family who lived around the Taitapu area.
Together they had 2 children as per the following.
| Child | Born | Married | Children | Died | Notes |
| Herbert Woolley | 27 Jul 1898 | 1927/ 11 Oct 1933 | -/ 1 | 3 Mar 1978 | Elsie Walker Daisy Bailey |
| Laura Emily Ellen | 11 Mar 1908 | 28 Nov 1939 | 5 | 2 Sep 1980 | Frank Eaton |
John passed away at his son’s residence on the 18 Jul 1949 at Templeton, Selwyn, Canterbury, New Zealand. He is buried in Lincoln Cemetery. His wife, Maria, was buried alongside him when she passed in 1954.
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