My Genealogy Hound

HON. P. D. HASTAIN, attorney-at-law and Mayor of Sedalia, was born in Henry County, Mo., April 18, 1854, and is a son of Daniel M. and Martha J. (Wade) Hastain. The name was originally Hastings, but was changed by the grandfather of our subject, who emigrated from England to the United States at a very early day. Daniel M. Hastain was reared in Tennessee, but came to Missouri in 1834, locating in Henry County. The country at that time was entirely new, but little improvement having been made in any part of the county. He entered Government land, to which he added subsequently by purchase, and became one of the large land-owners of that section. In 1862 he removed to Calhoun and there engaged in general merchandising, and subsequently removed to Warsaw, Benton County, where he engaged in the same line of business, and there died in 1874. His wife, the mother of our subject, was born near Louisville, Ky., and is of Scotch-Irish descent. Her father was one of the early physicians of Henry County, Mo. She now resides in Sedalia.

On the removal of the family to Warsaw, our subject was but ten years of age. Here he entered the public schools and received his primary education. Later he entered the State University and graduated from the law department in 1879, with the degree of LL. B. Returning home, he at once engaged in the practice of his profession, and soon became one of the most noted attorneys in this part of the state. In 1880 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Benton County, and was re-elected three terms, serving in all for eight years. In 1890 he located in Sedalia, and formed a partnership with Judge Shirk. He still retains his office at Warsaw, and there regularly attends the Benton County Court. His partnership with Judge Shirk continued for about one year, since which time he has been alone. In 1892 he was nominated as the Republican candidate for Congress in the Seventh Congressional District. The district was strongly Democratic, and as the year 1892 was disastrous to the Republicans, he was not elected. He was offered the nomination in 1894, but declined to accept. In the spring of that year he was nominated Mayor of the city of Sedalia, and although the city has been usually good for five hundred Democratic majority, he was elected by six hundred votes over his opponent. In the discharge of the duties of the office he brings to bear good executive ability, and has the respect and confidence of all his associates. As may well be understood, in the councils of the Republican party his advice is eagerly sought and his influence is great.

In 1880 Mr. Hastain was married, at Warrensburg, Johnson County, to Miss Lena Hill, a native of that county, and daughter of James Hill, who lost his life during the late Civil War. Four children have been born unto them, Imogene, Reese H., Janet and P. D., Jr.

Socially Mr. Hastain has connections with the Odd Fellows, Elks and United Workmen, in all of which orders he takes considerable interest. As has already been stated, politically he is a Republican, and since attaining his majority has been active in the councils of the party. For some years he was chairman of the Republican Central Committee of Pettis County, and since 1880 has served as a delegate in every district and state convention of his party. While an active party man, he yet enjoys the respect and confidence of his political opponents, and as a citizen takes great pride in the upbuilding of the community in which he resides.