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Thomas Albert Reavis, the popular postmaster of Hood River, is a native of Missouri, his birth having occurred
in Jasper county in 1853. His parents were David Bardon and Elizabeth (Lee) Reavis. The paternal ancestors were
for long residents of North Carolina and representatives of the family removed to Missouri in the days of pioneer
development in that state. The father of David B. Reavis was for many years a distinguished educator and the son
was county judge of Johnson county, where the Reavis family resided after removing to Missouri. Elizabeth (Lee)
Reavis was a native of Virginia and a representative of the family whose name is found on almost every page of
the history of the Old Dominion. In 1877 Judge Reavis removed with his family to Union county, Oregon, where he
took up land, becoming one of the first settlers of that section of the state. When the county of Wallowa was created
he was made the first county clerk and bore a most conspicuous and helpful part in the growth and development of
that section.
Thomas A. Reavis was educated in the graded schools of Johnson county, Missouri, and in the State Normal School
at Warrensburg, Missouri, from which he was graduated in 1875. He then turned his attention to the drug business
in Texas but in 1877, when his people removed to Oregon, he came to this state and has since been one of its leading
and substantial citizens. He engaged in farming and stock raising in Wallowa county until 1901, when he took up
his abode in Ashland and a little later removed to La Grande, there engaging in merchandising. In 1903 he located
at Hood River, where he purchased land and engaged in growing strawberries, continuing active in the business until
the burning of the Davidson cannery at Hood River, when he sold his strawberry ranch and planted an apple orchard
which he still owns. In 1915 he was appointed by President Wilson to the position of postmaster of Hood River and
has conducted the office in such a manner as to win the praise of members of all parties, with the result that
in 1919 he was reappointed for another term of four years. The Hood River postoffice handles a large amount of
mail, having both local and rural delivery, and requires the services of five clerks and an assistant postmaster.
Mr. Reavis is a Royal Arch Mason and has filled all of the offices in the blue lodge. His political support is
given to the democratic party and he has been active in its councils throughout his life. His father's family numbered
six sons, not one of whom has strayed from the democratic fold.
In 1880 Mr. Reavis was united in marriage to Mrs. Ida Dreski, of Nortonville, Kansas, and they have one daughter,
Gladys Lee. The family is widely and prominently known at Hood River, the hospitality of the best homes being freely
accorded them. Mr. Reavis has spent the greater part of his life in the northwest and has been a contributing factor
to the development, upbuilding and improvement of the section of the state in which he makes his home.
From:
History of Oregon Illistrated
Vol. 3
BY: Charles H. Carney
The Pioneer Historical Publishing Company
Chicago - Portland 1922
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