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Daniel Hastings - Pennsylvania 1895 - 1898
Bellefonte Republican, January 15, 1903, page 1
"Ex-Governor Daniel H. Hastings died at 10 o'clock Friday at his residence on Allegheny street after an illness of four days, aged 63 years 10 months and 13 days.
Governor Hastings had not enjoyed good health for the past two years, and last summer spent several months at Carlsbad and traveling through the Continent. He appeared to have been benefited by the trip although not entirely restored.
His extensive coal operations required his presence in Cambria county a great part of the time as he gave his personal attention to all the details. On Sunday morning he reached home seemingly well except a slight cold which caused but little inconvenience. On Sunday night he was taken with a chill. A physician was summoned who stated that he was suffering from Pleuro-pnenmonia, everything known to medical skill was done to relieve him but without avail, and at the hour above named passed peacefully away. His family consisting of wife and two daughters being at his bedside. Until Thursday night there were hopes that he might withstand the disease, but about eleven o'clock it became evident the end was near, as his heart began to fail in performing its function, his strength gradually failed until the end.
Governor Hastings was a prominent man throughout our state and had also a national reputation, as a political leaders. He was a good citizen and will be sadly missed. Surviving him is his wife and two daughters, Mrs. Ross A. Hickok, of Harrisburg; and Sara who is about 8 years old.
Below will be found full biographical sketch of his career:
Daniel H. Hastings was born in a log house, two miles from Salons, Clinton county, Pennsylvania, February 26th, 1849. He was named in honor of a clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. Daniel Hartman, who died a few years ago full of years and honor. As an instance of the enduring nature of General Hasting's friendship, he, with others, engaged in erecting a memorial church in honor of the memory of his venerable friend. During the childhood of General Hastings, the public schools, which were far inferior to those of the present day, were all that was in reach in the way of educational advantages. The circumstances of his father's family required that all should help to the extent of their ability, hence his school days were limited. However, through the kindness of Mr. George Hopeon, a friend of his, young Hastings was given an opportunity to attend a select school, and thus he acquired a fair knowledge of the English branches. at the breaking out of the Rebellion, this youth, like many another of those of our State, was fired with patriotism. His three elder brothers had joined the army, and, boy as he was, he yearned to follow their example. But in consequence of his extreme youth and that he was needed at home, his father would not give his consent. This was the first instance of rebellion against the will of his parents. He made three attempts to enlist. The last time he succeeded in reaching Carlisle and enlisted but was followed and brought back by his father. At the age of fourteen years, burning with ambition to succeed in life, and, learning of a teacher's position which had become vacant in another part of his county, he borrowed a dollar and trudged twenty miles through the snow to secure the position. Finding favor with the school board, he was promised the position on the condition that he could past a creditable examination. He walked back to Lock Haven, passed the required examination and footed it back in time to open the school the next morning. For the next four years he taught school in the winter and worked with his father on the farm in the summer. However, during this time he studied assiduously to perfect himself as a teacher and became so proficient that in 1867, he was elected Principal of the Bellefonte High School. This position he filled with great success and in his spare moment. he mastered Greek and Latin under the tuition of Professor Mundy of the Bellefonte Academy. While Principal of the High School, he ably filled the occupation of assistant editor of the Bellefonte Republican and won a reputation as us forcible and interesting writer. He also studied law during this time and was admitted to the bar of Centre county in April, 1875, becoming a member of the firm of Bush, Yocum & Hastings On the retirement of Mr. Bush, the other two members carried on the business until the following year, when Mr. Yocum being elected to Congress, retired and Mr. W. F. Reeder was taken into partnership and the firm of Hastings and Reeder was formed.
General Hastings soon became recognized as a lawyer of ability and success in his profession and took such active interest in public affairs that he early came to be looked upon as a leader of his party in local politics, serving in various positions and being elected member of the School Board and then Burgess of Bellefonte. He had been a trustee of the Methodist Church of Bellefonte for many years, and served for some years as one of the trustees of the Pennsylvania State College. He is now serving in the same capacity of Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA, as well as connected officially with a number of other educational institutions of the State.
In 1877 General Hastings married Miss Jane A Rankin, daughter of the late James H. Rankin, once a prominent member of the bar of Centre county. Mrs Hastings is a most devoted, accomplished and valuable helpmate.
General Hastings' first experience in military life was during the troubles of 1877, when at the request of Governor Beaver, who commanded a division of the National Guards, accompanied his command to Altoona as a member of the General's staff. Here soon won the admiration and confidence of both officers and soldiers, and displayed marked abilities as a military man. In July, 1877, he was made pay-master of the Fifth Regiment with the rank of Captain. The following March he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment. Three months after he was appointed Assistant Adjutant General of the Second Brigade, and nine months later rose to the rank of Colonial of his regiment and during the three years of his command the Fifth achieved the highest standing of any in the state.
He was appointed by Governor Beaver in 1877 Adjutant General of Pennsylvania and during his term brought the state troops up to a high state of efficiency which elicited the unstinted praise of the veteran General Sheridan.
General Hastings was a natural born leader of men. His abilities as an organizer and a manager of political affairs was first made manifest in the congressional campaign of 1878, when he secured the election of his business partner. Although the district usually gave a democrat majority of three thousand, the General's able management turned this to a minority.
He was a warm supporter of General Beaver for Governor and was instrumental in a marked degree of raising that tide of enthusiasm which placed this gallant soldier and accomplished citizen in the gubernatorial chair, and his abilities became so recognized that he was made chairman of the State Republican Convention the following year. He was a candidate before the State Convention of 1890 and came within a few votes of receiving the nomination, although he did not have the support of the ruling elements of his party. The large vote he received came entirely through his own personal strength. Within an hour after the nomination of Senator Delamater, General Hastings inaugurated his campaign by making a speech in his behalf before leaving Harrisburg.
General Hastings won enduring fame during the Republican National Convention of 1888. Hon. John Sherman, United States Senator of Ohio, was the choice of the delegation from the Keystone state for the party standard bearer and it fell to General Hastings as one of the delegates at large to present his name. During the half hour speech he electrified the convention and was declared by such competent critics as George Alfred Townsend and Murat Halstead to be the best nominating speech in the convention. Speaking of it the former wrote in the Chicago Tribune: Sherman was best put in the field. The Pennsylvania man who lives in the little mountain town of Bellefonte made the best speech which has been heard at this display. It was worthy of being the party platform. Hastings, who made it, they say, will some day be heard in the senate or run for Governor. There are not a few who firmly believe that the clever correspondent's prophesy did not remain long unfilled." Of this speech Murat Halstead wrote: "There was never a finer speech made on such occasions, and I remember Ingersoll's nomination of Blaine at Cincinnati.
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