TRACY STAATS Submitted by

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.

County Coordinator: Gayle Triller
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