Old Settlers' Stories

by John W. Wardip

John W. Wardip married Elizabeth Ann Soutls-May Dean's parents. He was named after President Harrison.

John W. Wardrip was in the land business and was in Mexico to sell some land when the revolution started and he thought it best to leave. He had a real estate business in Foxholm, Minnesota, Boone, IA., and lived in Des Moines, IA., at one time.

Just when he came to the Ocheyedan area is unknown but he was a resident of Harrison Township in Osceola County and more than likely a farmer since he served as President of Harrison Township schools.

Mr. Wardrip continued his real estate business and built a home on the lots where Phyllis Rueter resides and the Ocheyedan Public Library is located. He was part owner of the Ocheyedan paper at one time in the early days.

The east and west blocks of Main Street were named after J. W. Wardrip as well as adjoining lots to the east part of the city. Some of the lots are called Wardrip addition on present day tax rolls.

J. W. Wardrips name was on what was Carlson's Drug Store when fire destroyed the building. Several other buildings had the name Wardrip but age forced their replacement. M.S. Gole's store on the west side of the street (today Turner's Grocery) had the wording "Wardrip Block-1898". Turner's had to do some roof work so that wording was removed.

Some familiar names were relatives of Wardrip. Herb Dean served as Iowa Senator in the late 1920's, Rothmer Graves managed the Ocheyedan elevator in the late 1930's and early 1940's, Graves of Melvin, Thayers and Richard and Tena Dean.

It was not possible to find dates of birth or death of J. W. Wardrip, but he contributed to the early history of Ocheyedan.

-Transcribed by Roseanna Zehner



Osceola County Iowa Genealogy - The IAGenWeb Project