The History of the Yakima Valley, Washington, Comprising Yakima, Kittitas and Benton Counties, The S.J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1919, Volume II, page 764 PETER VAN MAVERN. Peter Van Mavern, who is engaged in the raising of fruit and farm products in Yakima count, was born in Marion county, Iowa, September 23, 1861, a son of Arthur and Bertha (Mullenberg) Van Mavern, both of whom were natives of Holland and became pioneer settlers of Iowa. They resided for a time in Marion county and subsequently became residents of Sioux county, that state, where both passed away. The educational opportunities of Peter Van Mavern were somewhat limited, owing to the fact that it was necessary for him to provide for his own support at an early age. When he had reached the age of twenty-six he began renting land and throughout his entire life he has been identified with agricultural pursuits. He arrived in Yakima county in 1896 and for fourteen years was employed by the firm of Coffin Brothers. In 1900 he purchased ten acres of land on the lower Naches and in 1913 sold that property and purchased another tract of ten acres in the same district. He has three and a half acres planted to fruit trees and his orchards are in good bearing. The remainder of his land is devoted to the cultivation of alfalfa and the raising of grain and his place is now in excellent condition, returning a substantial income for the care and labor which he bestows upon it. In 1887 Mr. Van Mavern was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Williamson, a native of Holland, who came to the United States in early life. Their children are: Arthur, who resides in Alaska; and Bert, who is a member of the United States army and is now in France. He is married. The parents are members of the Congregational church and are highly esteemed people of the community in which they make their home. Mr. Van Mavern votes with the republican party, which he has supported since attaining adult age. He is a self-made man and now ranks with the successful farmers of Yakima county. ******************************** Submitted to the Washington Bios Project in January 2008 by Jeffrey L. Elmer. Submitter has no additional information about the subject of this article.