Tracy Staats
Submitted by: Lynn Mack
One of the progressive business enterprises of Dallas is the Craven
Hardware Company, of which Tracy STAATS is the secretary-treasurer.
He has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of
business and in his dealings is known for his honorable methods, which
have won for him the deserved and unbounded confidence of his
fellowmen. Mr. STAATS is a native of this state. He was born at
Airlie, Polk county, February 11, 1874, and is a son of Henry D. and
Mary E. (ZUMWALT) STAATS, also natives of this county. The paternal
grandfather, Isaac STAATS, came to Oregon in 1845, taking up a
donation claim near the present site of Airlie, and this he cleared
and developed, continuing active in its cultivation throughout the
remainder of his life. Through his careful and judicious management
of his farming interests he won a gratifying measure of success and
became one of the substantial and prominent residents of his
community, serving as postmaster and justice of the peace at Airlie
and also as a member of the territorial legislature of Oregon. His
son, Henry D. STAATS, was reared and educated in Polk county and on
attaining his majority engaged in agricultural pursuits, purchasing
land near Lewisville, which for many years he continued to cultivate,
but at length took up his residence in Dallas, where he lived retired
until his demise in May, 1919, at the age of sixty-nine years. The
mother, who had come to this state with her parents in 1846, is also
deceased.
Tracy STAATS was reared in Polk county, attending the public schools
of Lewisville and later pursuing a course of study in the normal
school at Monmouth, after which he successfully engaged in teaching in
Polk county for a period of seven years. He then became deputy
county
assessor, serving for four years, for two years was deputy sheriff,
and for four years discharged the duties of county treasurer, making a
most credible record as a public official. In November, 1913, he
purchased a half interest in the Craven Hardware Company and has since
been thus connected, now serving as secretary-treasurer of the
concern. They carry a large and attractive line of shelf and heavy
hardware and also deal in farm implements, and their progressive
methods, resonable [sic] prices and courteous treatment of patrons
have won for them a large patronage. Mr. STAATS also has made
profitable investments in farm lands in Polk county and in the control
of his business interests he displays marked ability and energy.
In March, 1906, Mr. STAATS was united in marriage to Miss Eloise S.
PHILLIPS and they have become the parents of four children, namely:
Howard D., Phillip, Margaret and Mary E. He is a democrat in his
political views and prominent in the councils of the party, now
serving as a member of the county central committee. He has been
called to a number of public offices of trust and responsibility,
serving for several years on the city council and for two terms as
mayor. He is much interested in the cause of education and for a
number of years has been clerk of the school board, doing everything
in his power to advance the standards of the schools. Mrs. STAATS
is
a member of the Evangelical church and her life is guided by its
teachings. Fraternally Mr. STAATS is identified with the Masons,
the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World. He
is
a typical western man, wide-awake, alert and enterprising, and his
sound judgment and keen discernment have made him one of the forceful
factors in business circles of Dallas. His life has ever been
actuated by high and honorable principles and he is loyal to all those
interests which make for honorable manhood and progressive
citizenship.
History of Oregon, Biographical, Vol. II, The Pioneer Historical
Publishing Company, 1922, Pages 522-523.
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