Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1898-08-20
Career.

has numerous friends on both sides of the
Connecticut river is candidate for re-
election to the New Hampshire senate
from his district. The following interest
ing sketch of Mr.. Hastings career is taken
from recent issue OF the Mirror and
American of Manchester.
Hon. T. Nelson Hastings of Walpole, a
member of the state senate, has been urged
by his friends to be candidate for the
senate at the next election, and the pros
most excellent. In the event of his cleo
ton he will seek the presidency Of the
senate. Senator Hastings is a native of
Cambridge, Mass, having been born there
May 90, 1858. Upon the death of his
father, which occurred when the son was
only nine months old, the family removed
to Walpole, this state, and it was in the
public schools of this town that the subject
of this sketch obtained his elementary edu-
cation. Subsequently he attended Warren
academy, Woburn, Mass, and later the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology,
where he pursued course in architecture.
From 1882 to 1883 Mr.. Hastings lived on
North, now Massachusetts avenue, in Cam
bridge, and was engaged in various bust
ness enterprises in Boston. In 1882 be
built the Bijou theatre in that city, and
conducted it with George Tyler as stage
manager. Later he sold it to Mr.. Whipple,
who in turn sold it to Mr.. BIZ. Keith.
While owner of the Bijou, Mr.. Hastings
introduced Edison's electric Lighting sys-
Ra,rrr n nj e., ,opl &c M,
Edison and having the fullest confidence in
his ability, he became pioneer in intro
ducing his new invention to the public, put
ting in over 700 lights. He also placed in
the theatre six agnifcent chand eliers that
had been made to be sent to Egypt Dur
ing this time, also, Mr.. Hastings was in
terested in the Boston Tobacco company,
and was for three years its president
He was charter member of the old Bos-
ton bicycle club, and at the first bicycle
race ever held in Suffolk county, at Chest
nut hill, he took the first prize. Mr.. Hast
ings is six feet, four inches in height, and
he rode 60-ilch wheel, making striking
and handsome figure. In 1880, with four
other members, he made cycling trip
abroad. This was the first trip of the kind !;
and the Fortunate Five" as they were
termed, were entertained officially and in
dividually, by the members of the bicycle
club OF London, then composed exclusively
of men of wealth and of noble family. The
five were feted and ionized and invited to
state residences and to palaces, and were
made members OF the Bicycle Touring club
of England. They remained three months
in England, from May, 1880, to August Of
the same year. Mr.. Hastings companions
we're: DR.. F. A. Adams OF Worcester,
Frank w. Weston, formerly called Papa
Weston !" Joseph Deane, lawyer of Bos-
ton, and George c. Thomas of Philadel-
phia. Mr.. Hastings extended the trip,
making pleasure tour in Germany and
Switzerland and o her countries, not carry
ing with him his wheel.
Mr.. Hastings is an earnest republican
and was elected to the senate on the repub-
lican ticket, receiving the largest vote in
town, this including, OF course, many
democratic votes. He served in the senate
as chairman of the committee on agricul-
ture, secretary of the education committee,
and secretary of the committee on incor-
porations and member of the committee
on labor.
MIR. Hastings is good Judge of horse
flesh and Is skilful four-in-hand whip, his
four beautiful coal black horses constitut-
ing one OF the finest four-in-hand team, in
the state.
Since Mr.. Hastings took up his residence
In Walpole in 1883, he has taken most
active interest in the affairs of the town
and has identified himself intimately with
its social and educational life. He has
been member of the school committee
for some years. The grading OF the yard
in front of the school building. which Joins
his property, was done at bis expense. He
is liberal supporter of the Unitarian
church in Walpole and is chairman of its
executive committee. For while he sang
in the church choir and he has a. sisted
materially liz placing the church finances in
good CONDITION. He was an interested
mover in placing in the church the $4,000
organ, which was the gift of G. A. Stearns,
and in raising the salary OF the minister.
He i, a loyal and active member of the
Masonic fraternity.
| On July IA, 1882. Mr.. Hastings married
Amy, daughter of Hudson Z. Bridge, who
was born on the site Of the present town
library Of Walpole, which was erected and
given the town in his honor. Five chill