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