(Published in History of Idaho: The Gem of the Mountains Vol. 3 by James H. Hawley 1920)

Joseph S. Wardle, a ranchman who resides on the Boise bench two miles southwest of Boise, where he has recently purchased five acres of land, was born in Salt Lake county, Utah, eighteen miles south of the city of Salt Lake, September 13, 1870. His father was Isaac John Wardle, of St. Anthony, Idaho, who passed away in October, 1917, at the age of eighty-two years. He was born in Lincolnshire, England, June 14, 1835, and came to the United States in 1852 as a convert to the Mormon church. He at once proceeded across the plains to Utah, making the trip on foot with a handcart company, being then a lad of eighteen years. He came to the new world unaccompanied by relatives, but after he had been in Utah a few years he sent to England for his parents, who joined him in Utah, he paying their passage to the United States. Twenty-two years ago Isaac John Wardle removed from Utah to Idaho and resided at St. Anthony throughout his remaining days. He was a sheep raiser and the excellent opportunities for carrying on the industry in Idaho caused him to locate in this state. He was very active in the work of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, serving as superintendent of a Sunday school in Salt Lake City for eighteen years. He was married three times and by his first wife, Martha Ann Egbert, had ten children, of whom Joseph S. was the fifth in order of birth. The mother was born in Utah and died December 9, 1916. By his second wife Isaac J. Wardle had one child, a son, William J. Wardle, now living in Teton county, Idaho. By his third marriage he had four children, of whom three are living. His family numbered fifteen children altogether, of whom ten yet survive.

Joseph S. Wardle was reared under the parental roof and while still a resident of Utah was married on the 11th of February, 1891, to Miss Sabina Ann Beckstead, who was born November 30, 1874, in Utah, a daughter of John A. and Sabina Ann (Harrison) Beckstead, who were also connected with the Mormon church. Mr. and Mrs. Wardle have ten living children: Mary, now the wife of Allen Smith; Hiram, Chester, who married Iva Holtsclaw; Geneva Grace, the wife of Willard Farley; Eva Laurel, the wife of Eugene Oviatt; and Maggie Myrle, Zella Sabina, Joseph Alma, Isaac John, Eldred and Verla.

Mr. Wardle and his family resided near St. Anthony, Idaho, for twelve years and in Minidoka county, near Rupert, for two years. In May, 1919, he removed with his family to his present ranch of five acres on the Boise bench and expects soon to purchase a large ranch in this locality. He has diligently pursued his farming operations throughout his life and has thus provided a comfortable living for his family.

Mr. Wardle remains a consistent follower of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in which he is an elder, while Mrs. Wardle has been president of the Relief Society for five years and was president of the Primary Association for three years. They are ever loyal to any cause which they espouse, true to their honest convictions and are people whose genuine worth is recognized by all who know them.

-- transcribed and contributed by Amanda Fox, Findagrave #47429422