Daniel H. Hastings

Daniel H. Hasting

Daniel Hartman Hastings (born February 26, 1849 in Salona , Clinton County , Pennsylvania , † January 9, 1903 ) was an American politician ( Republican Party ) and from 1895 to 1899 the 22nd governor of the state of Pennsylvania.

Early years and political advancement

After elementary school, the young Hastings taught himself as a teacher, especially in the winter months, while in summer he helped out on his parents' farm. He later became the principal teacher at Bellefonte High School . After studying law, he was admitted to the bar in 1875.

Hasting quickly rose to prominence in Pennsylvania's major legal and social circles. He bought shares in coal mines and banks. Under Governor James Beaver , he was the head of the National Guard and made a name for himself by helping out a flood in Johnstown in 1889. In 1890 he sought the nomination of his party for the office of governor. But he was subject to a rival within the party. Four years later, he was not only nominated by his party, but also elected to the office of governor by voters.

Governor of Pennsylvania

Daniel Hastings began his four-year term on January 15, 1895. He was the first in a long line of Republican governors in Pennsylvania. It was not until 1934 that George Howard Earle was re- elected to this office as a Democrat . The Spanish-American War of 1898 fell during his tenure . The governor had to provide the federal government with soldiers and materials for this war. In 1897 the State Forestry Commission was established. At that time, the Agriculture Committee was expanded into a Ministry of Agriculture. In addition, the tax laws were changed during Hastings' tenure. It is worth mentioning that the Capitol in Harrisburg was destroyed by a fire.

Hastings was not allowed to run for direct re-election in 1898 due to a constitutional clause. Therefore, he resigned on January 17, 1899 from his office. After the end of his tenure he worked as a lawyer again. He died at the age of 54 on January 9, 1903. Daniel Hastings was married to Jane Armstrong Rankin, with whom he had two children.

literature

• Robert Sobel and John Raimo (Eds.): Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789–1978. Volume 4, Meckler Books, Westport, 1978. 4 volumes.

Web links

• Daniel H. Hastings in the database of the National Governors Association (English)
• The governors of Pennsylvania (English)
• Daniel H. Hastings in the database of Find a Grave (English)