Donald Robinson Van Petten
7 Aug 1890 - 2 May 1975
diedTempe, Arizona, USA
bornJoliet, Illinois, USA
SchooltblData
BiographyRancher, educator, and politician.Moved to Arizona in 1918.
Graduated from Illinois State Normal School.
Was principal of Cuissna Park High School in Illinois, c1910-1913. Married Leora Jones in 1912. In 1918 they came to Tempe for a short visit and liked it so well they stayed. They purchased a house on Mill Avenue in 1918 and bought 160 acres of land southeast of Tempe.
In 1921 he was a rancher at 820 Willow Ave. He received his Master's degree from the University of Southern California (1936) and his Doctorate from Stanford University (1941).
Shareholder in the Tempe Irrigating Canal Company in 1923. Owned SE4 section 25 (160 acres), in 1924.
Served in House of Representatives of the Arizona Legislature, 1928-1930. Was a member of the ASTC Board of Education, c1920-1922.
He was Professor of History at Eastern New Mexico College, 1941-42.
He was Professor of History and Political Science at Arizona State Teachers College/Arizona State University, 1942-1961. He became head of the social studies department, and also served as Director of Inter-Collegiate Athletics. During his faculty years, he wrote several editions of a text on Arizona Government, which was used extensively in schools throughout the state.
Member of the Masonic Lodge, Oreder of Eastern Star, and Rotary Club.
Lived at 820 Willow (College), 2080 E. Southern Avenue (c1921-1929), and 918 S. Mill Avenue (c1940).
BIO-Van Petten
BIO-Jones
Old Settlers collection, THM
HPS-127; HPS-194
TH-231
Hopkins and Thomas, The ASU Story, p. 242
Painter Scrapbook
Tempe CD, 1920, 21
Tempe Telephone Directory, 1924
Person TypeIndividual
