Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record - Published 1894 by Excelsior Publishing Co., Chicago" Pages 473 - 475

James Hastings, who since September 6, 1849, has resided in Sheboyan {sic} County, now makes his home on section 15, Lyndon Township, and is recognized as a valued citizen of the community. On the 26th of October, 1837, he was born in Delaware County, N. Y., unto James D. and Mary A. (Parker) Hastings. The father, who was born in Delaware County, June 20, 1808, was reared as a farmer, but afterwards engaged in the manufacture of potash. One of the brave boys in blue, he entered the service as a member of Company I, First Wisconsin Infantry, at Cascade, and the regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. He participated in the battles of Murfreesboro, Stone River and Chickamauga, and when his three-years term had expired, he veteranized, joining Company E, Thirty-sixth Wisconsin Infantry, which was assigned to Gen. Hancock's corps. At the battle of Cold Harbor he received a wound in the back, which disabled him for duty, and he then went to the hospital in York, Pa. After receiving an honorable discharge, he returned home. It was in 1849 that he brought his family to the West, landing in Sheboygan, where his wife and children remained, while he started out to seek a home. At Sheboygan Falls he met a gentleman who induced him to locate near there. He purchased eighty acres of timberland in Lyndon Township, and in a log cabin began life in the West.

The history of pioneer experience is familiar to the Hastings family, for they bore all its hardships and trials. The father was a Democrat in early life, but afterward became a Republican. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Church. She was born in New York, May 31, 1811, and is still living in Lyndon Township, but Mr. Hastings died December 26, 1874. The ancestry of the family is traced back to Scotland, and the paternal grandfather of our subject, James Hastings, was born near Glasgow, in that country. Coming to America, he located in Delaware. The maternal grandfather was a soldier of the War of 1812. Our subject had two brothers and a sister, but one brother is now deceased. Mrs. Margaret Wiggins resides in Lyndon Township, and William T. is engaged in the manufacture of cheese in Otter Tail County, Minn.

James Hastings has lived in Sheboygan County since the age of twelve. Among the first to enter the service of Uncle Sam, he joined Company I, First Wisconsin Regiment, met the command at Chattanooga, and took part in the battles of Buzzards' Roost, Resaca, Altoona, Dalton, Kenesaw Mountain and Jonesboro, also participating in the siege of Atlanta and the march to the sea. He kept a diary during his entire service, and thus can easily refresh his mind as to the events of the war. He took part in the Carolina campaign and the last battle of the war, at Bentonville, N. C, and marched in the Grand Review in Washington, the finest military pageant ever seen in America. By a fall, his hip was badly injured, and occasioned him much trouble. His regiment was encamped at Arlington Heights for some time, then President Lincoln's summer home. An order came to proceed to Louisville, Ky., and he was there honorably discharged, July 20, 1865. He was ever faithful to his country, and the Old Flag and the Union cause found in him an able defender.

Mr. Hastings chose as a companion on life's journey Miss Emma West, who was the second child born in Greenbush Township, the date being December 19, 1847. Her parents, Nathaniel and Sophia (Williams) West, are mentioned in connection with the sketch of William Burton. Mr. and Mrs. Hastings were married November 2, 1866, and have had three sons, two living. Guy, who was educated in the Waldo High School, aids in the operation of the home farm, and in 1892 cast his first vote for Harrison; and Warren B., who was a student in the Normal School of Oshkosh, has successfully engaged in teaching.

Mr. Hastings first voted for Abraham Lincoln, and has since been a stalwart Republican. He has served as School Clerk for some years, but has never been an office-seeker. Socially, he is a member of A. O. Heald Post, No. 192, G. A. R., of which he is Sergeant-Major. He and his sons belonged to the Good Templars' lodge of Cascade, and the family are ardent advocates of temperance. Their home is a one hundred acre farm, under a high state of cultivation, and well improved. Mr. Hastings is now extensively engaged in the dairy business, and for two years has engaged exclusively in butter-making. His success in life is the reward of his own efforts, for he entered upon his business career empty handed, and by industry, perseverance and fair and honest dealings, has acquired a handsome competence. His life has been well and worthily spent, and he deserves representation in the history of his adopted county.

Return to the Sheboygan Page

Return to Bios page