Representative Ira Walton Drew

Ira Walton Drew (August 31, 1878 – February 12, 1972) was a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania and an osteopathic physician. He served as a Representative from Pennsylvania in the United States Congress from 1937 to 1939, completing one term in office during a significant period in American history, and contributed to the legislative process as a member of the Democratic Party.

Drew was born on August 31, 1878, in Hardwick, Vermont. In his youth he apprenticed as a printer, learning the trade and advancing to the status of journeyman in 1899. This early experience in the printing and publishing world laid the foundation for his initial professional pursuits in journalism and news work in New England.

From 1899 through 1906, Drew worked as a newspaper reporter in Burlington, Vermont, gaining experience in political and civic affairs through his coverage of local and regional news. He then moved to Boston, Massachusetts, where from 1906 through 1908 he was employed as a reporter and news editor. His work in Boston further developed his skills in communication and public affairs, experience that would later inform his political career.

Seeking a new professional direction, Drew enrolled in the Philadelphia College of Osteopathy (now the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine). He graduated in 1911 and, in the same year, began the practice of osteopathic medicine in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Establishing himself in his new profession, he became a member of the faculty of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathy in 1912 and served in that capacity through 1933. During these years he combined clinical practice with teaching, contributing to the development and instruction of osteopathic medicine in Philadelphia.

Drew entered national politics as a member of the Democratic Party. He was elected as a Democrat to the 75th Congress in the 1936 elections, representing Pennsylvania in the U.S. House of Representatives from January 3, 1937, to January 3, 1939. His service in Congress occurred during the New Deal era, a significant period in American history marked by extensive legislative activity. As a member of the House of Representatives, Ira Walton Drew participated in the democratic process, contributed to the legislative work of the 75th Congress, and represented the interests of his Pennsylvania constituents. He was an unsuccessful candidate for reelection in 1938 and thus concluded his congressional service after one term.

Following his term in Congress, Drew returned to his professional and institutional affiliations in the field of osteopathic medicine. He served as a member of the board of trustees of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathy, continuing his long-standing relationship with the institution where he had studied and taught. In this role he helped guide the college’s governance and development, extending his influence in medical education beyond his years in the classroom.

Ira Walton Drew died on February 12, 1972. He was interred at Whitemarsh Memorial Park in Prospectville, Pennsylvania, closing a long life that spanned careers in journalism, medicine, education, and public service.