Carey, Charles Henry.  "History of Oregon." Vol. 2. Chicago-Portland: Pioneer
Historical Pub. Co., 1922.  p. 522.
 
TRACY STAATS

    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 Arlie 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 creditable 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, reasonable
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 be displays marked ability and energy.
    In March, 1906, Mr. Staats was united in marriage to Miss Eloise S. Philllps
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. 
 
 
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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in May 2007 by Diana Smith.  Submitter has
no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.