When John R Warden was born on 19 March 1859, in Polk, Iowa, United States, his father, John Warden, was 38 and his mother, Eleanor Wolgamott, was 32. He married Virginia Echolean Miller on 19 November 1884, in Ringgold, Iowa, United States. They were the parents of at least 2 sons and 1 daughter. He lived in Madison Township, Polk, Iowa, United States in 1860 and Fletchall Township, Worth, Missouri, United States for about 40 years. He died on 16 March 1919, in Grant City, Worth, Missouri, United States, at the age of 59, and was buried in Grant City Cemetery, Grant City, Worth, Missouri, United States.