The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-05-24

was a small farmer in Clinton county,
where the son was born on Feb. 26. lSi9.
In the winter of 1863, when he was but II
years OF age. a school in Wayne tow nship.
Clinton county, became vacant. Forth
with the boy borrowed 81, trudged through
the snow on a wintry day, and secured the
appointment. 1t was, however, condition
ed upon his passing an examination. He
walked back to Lock Haven the same day.
was examined and received his certificate,
returning on foot in time to open the
school the next morning. Meanwhile the
dollar was spent and his first days expert
ence as q school teacher was passed with
out anything to eat. The following four
years were spent in teaching the neighbor-
ing schools in the winter and assisting his
father on the farm in the summer. He
studied diligently through the winter
evenings, the better to qualify himself for
teaching, and in 1866 his exertions we're
rewarded by his being elected principal OF
the high school at Bellefonte. This posi-
ton he filled for eight years.
In 1875 he was admitted to the practice
OF law, and in II short time became a
leader at the bar aud in politics. In the
campaign Of 1882 General Hastings was
the personal friend and enthusiastic SUP
porter of General Beaver for governor.
DSANohON, biG uOb uiSuCuI lcubu, III 1851
General Hastings presented the name of
Governor Beaver to the Republican con-
vention and asked and secured his re-
nomination. As II delegate-at.large to the
Republican National convention ut Chi
cago III 1883, he placed Senator Sherman in
nomination for president. He was equal
to the occasion, and in a single half hour
attained n national reputation as an ora
tor. Meanwhile he had served as a mem.
Der of the school board and as burgess of
Bellefonte.
General Hastings became connected with
the National Gaurd in 1877, in July OF
which year he was made paymaster OF the
Fifth regiment, with the rank Of captain.
He served on the sta fl of General Beaver,
then n division commander, during the
riots of July, 1871, accompanying the com
mand to Altoona. In March, 1873,
he was elected aud commissioned
lieutenant-colonel Of the Fifth regiment:
IN June, 1883, lie was appointed assistant
adjutant general of the Second brigade,
and in March, 1881, he was elected colonel
OF the Fifth regiment, and at the annual
inspection of 1856 his regiment achieved
the highest standing of any in the state.
After serving nearly three years ia that
rank, in January, 1887, Colonel Hastings
resigned his commission and accepted the
appointment Of adjutant general Of Penn
sylvania. AS a member of the military
commission created to revise the code of
the commonwealth, General Hastings, in
connection with General Hartranft and the
other able officers of that board, rendered
excellent service in the preparation and
passage Of the present military bill, which
places the militia of the state on its pres
ent basis of efficiency and completeness.
AS ~adjutant general, the National guard
openly acknowledges General Hastings
ability, zeal and efficiency. IL recalls tho
success OF the division encampment in 1887
at Mount Gfetna, where General Sheridan
reviewed the 5000 guardsman, all fully
equipped for war, all due chiefly to the
united energy aud vigilance Of Generals
Hartranft and Hastings.
On June l, 1889. he was at a small town
in Cambria county. When he heard the
awful reports from Juhnstown he at once
hired a team and started for the ill-fated
city, driving the whole day long over
flooded roads and broken bridges, arriving
at Johnstown at 4 p. M. Taking i'll the
situation of affairs, he Immediately tela-
graphed to Governor Beaver to send up
some tents and other necessaries, then
took off his coat and went to work as a
private citizen to help and succor the dis.
tressed. Promptly recognized by the SUI
vivors OF the disaster as the man for the
place, by general assent he assumed the
charge and responsibility of feeding and
relieving the people, and subsequently
managed the operations ordered by the
state authorities, demonstrating his great
executive ability and making himself a
popular hero.
General Hastings conduct of affairs at
Johnstown brought him more prominently
than ever before the people of the state,
and in 1890 he aspired to the highest honor
within the gilt Of his party--the nomina-
tion for governor. He entered the conven-
tion of that year with a strong support,
receiving "a votes on the first ballot, to 81
for Delamater and 56scattered among four
other candidates. He received 60 votes on
the second ballot, to 80 for Delamater, but
the latter's position was too strong and u
few changes gave him 105 votes--two more
was necessary for the nomination,
Hastings with Sc.
General Hastings was offered the chair
man of the state committee for the ensuing
year, but declined that position. On the
organization Of the Columbian Worlds
commission, in September, 1890, he
was defeated for the position Of director
by Colonel George r. Davis, of
Chicago, by a vote Of A to 80. He remained
in the field as an aspirunt for the governor
ship, and his nomination was assured as
soon MS the election of delegates to con-
began.
In 1877 General Hastings was united in
marriage with Miss Jane Armstrong Ran
kin, u daughter Of James II, Rankin, the
present Of the Center county bar. He is a
member of the Methodist church, and holds
the position of trustee of the church at