Born on October 20, 1861, in Burlington, Chittenden County, Vermont, Wade moved to Iowa with his parents at an early age,[1] eventually settling on a farm in Butler County, "which was then largely a broad, unbroken prairie, and the usual hardships of pioneer life were experienced".

[1][3] The incumbent congressman, John N. W. Rumple, did not seek re-election for health reasons, and Wade defeated Republican attorney W. H.

[5] As Wade would write in autobiographical information submitted to Congress following his election, he had refused to make any campaign speeches during the race because he considered it an improper thing for a judge to do.

[4] His service terminated on April 16, 1931, due to his death in Los Angeles, California,[4] while on a visit in that state.

[1] Wade presided over the Davenport sedition trials in 1917 and 1918, and sentenced Daniel Wallace to 20 years in prison for making a speech opposing the draft and critical of the United States' allies.