The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and
Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 484

JOHN N. SHAWVER.

Agricultural and horticultural interests of the Yakima valley have an able
representative in John N. Shawver, who now owns a valuable property in the
Tieton district, comprising twenty acres. Although he took up his residence on
this ranch only about six years ago he has in that comparatively short time
transformed it into one of the richly bearing properties of the valley. He was
born in Stafford county, Kansas, on the 29th or December, 1877, a son of George
and Sarah Elizabeth (Baker) Shawver, natives of Iowa and Missouri respectively.
During pioneer times they took up their abode in Kansas, where Mr. Shawver
acquired title to government land, and there he successfully followed
agricultural pursuits until death called him. His wife has also passed away.

Mr. Shawver of this review was reared in Kansas and under the able guidance of
his parents early in life became acquainted with the arduous duties in
connection with the operation of a farm. He received his education in the public
schools and subsequently assisted his father with the farm work until old enough
to start out for himself. He remained in his native state until the fall of
1902, when, at the age of twenty-five, he made his way to Sand Point, Idaho,
which remained his home until 1906, when he again moved westward, going to
Palouse, Washington where he spent four years. The next two years were passed at
Ellensburg, this state, and during all of this period he was engaged in farming,
thus thoroughly acquainting himself with local conditions. In 1908, having in
the meantime acquired the capital necessary for the purpose, he bought thirty
acres of rich land on the Tieton and in 1912 moved upon this property. Since
then he has brought his land to a high state of cultivation and also rents forty
acres, the tract being largely devoted to the raising of hay, grain, potatoes
and beans, while ten acres are in orchard. From his crops Mr. Shawver receives a
gratifying annual income. He has ever followed progressive methods, and using
up-to-date machinery and equipment has brought his land to a high state of
cultivation, his farm being one of the most valuable in the neighborhood.

On the 11th of June, 1908, Mr. Shawver was united in marriage to Elizabeth
Calvert, who was born in Palouse, Washington, and is a daughter of John and Rena
(Van de Walker) Calvert, natives of Nebraska and Oregon respectively. John
Calvert was a son of Mark Calvert, who left his Kentucky home in 1852 and
crossed the plains to California and later removed to Oregon, where he died.
Mrs. Shawver's father made his way to Palouse, Washington, about 1877 and there
he was not only engaged in ranching but was also in the warehouse and insurance
business, continuing thus active until his demise in 1910. Mrs. Rena (Van de
Walker) Calvert was a daughter of William and Olive (Dimmick) Van de Walker,
natives of New York and Ohio respectively. During the earliest history of
Oregon they crossed the plains to that state, taking up their abode in Marion
county in 1847, and there Rena Van de Walker, was born. She now lives at
Brooklyn, Washington. Mr. and Mrs. Shawver have three children: Walter, Thelma
and Norma. The parents are devoted members of the Presbyterian church, in the
work of which they are always helpful.

In politics Mr. Shawver is a democrat but outside of performing his duties as an
American citizen has not been active in public life, preferring to give his
whole attention to his private interests. While he has attained a substantial
position, he has ever given his aid and influence to worthy movements in order
to promote progress in his neighborhood and is highly respected by all who know
him.

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Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in December 2007 by Jeffrey L. Elmer.
Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.