An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The
Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, pages 286-287
	
	LOREN B. HASTINGS was one of the most prominent pioneers of Washington and
one of Port Townsend's earliest and most highly honored citizens. He was a
native of St. Johnsbury, Vermont, and his parents were of honored New England
stock. In early life he learned the process of manufacturing woolen goods, and
in 1838 started upon his journey westward. His first stop was in Hancock county,
Illinois, where he followed his vacation for a time.
	While there he was united in marriage with Lucinda Bingham, who was born in
Littleton, New Hampshire, but removed to Hancock county, Illinois, with her
parents when ten years of age. Being generously endowed with courage,
perseverance and endurance, attributes necessary to the successful pioneer, in
1847 Mr. Hastings gathered together his worldly possessions, and, with his wife
and one son, and a comfortable pioneer's outfit, set forth upon that long and
wearisome journey across the plains, bound for the Pacific coast. Suffering the
vicissitudes of slow and toilsome travel, he duly arrived at the spot in Oregon
where the city of Portland now stands, which then consisted chiefly of the cabin
of F.W. Pettygrove. He bought a lot on the original town site, and put up a log
cabin. His first work was to supply the troops on the way to the Cayuse war.
	During the mining excitement of 1848-'49 he went to Stanislaus county,
California, and engaged in mining, and also conducted a trading post, in which
enterprise he made about $10,000 in six months' time. This money, he invested,
in Portland, in the mercantile business with Dr. I.S. Baker. The locality proved
unhealthful, and, in the fall of 1851, accompanied by Mr. Pettygrove, he came to
Olympia; thence, with an Indian canoe, they worked their way down the sound,
looking for a place of settlement. Arriving at Port Townsend, they found A.A.
Plummer and Charles Batchelor, and being pleased with the locality decided to
fix their stakes.
	Arranging with Messrs. Plummer and Batchelor to build a log cabin, Messrs.
Hastings and Pettygrove returned to Portland, and in the spring of 1852 Mr.
Hastings purchased a small schooner, and with their families the two men
embarked for the sound. On arrival their claims of 640 acres to man and wife
were harmoniously arranged and located, and shortly afterwards Mr. Hastings
opened a small trading post on the site now occupied by the James Hastings brick
block.
	Later Messrs. Pettygrove and Plummer were taken into the firm, they having
previously clerked for Mr. Hastings. Subsequently the firm was dissolved, and
for a time Mr. Hastings was engaged in agricultural pursuits in the valley.
Following this, he engaged in general merchandising, which he successfully
conducted up to 1874 when he retired from active business life, turning over the
management to his two sons, Oregon C. and Frank W. His death occurred in June,
1881, in his sixty-seventh year.
	In politics Mr. Hastings was a Republican, strong and fearless in his
convictions, and was frequently honored by his fellow citizens by election to
responsible public positions.
	He represented this county in the Legislature, and served as Justice of the
Peace, Sheriff, Probate Judge, and Treasurer of Jefferson county, discharging
the duties of the same with entire satisfaction to all.
	He was always in the lead in progressive effort, and sustained an
unblemished reputation. Perfectly temperate in his habits, conservative in his
ideas, and kind and courteous to his fellow citizens, he was universally beloved
and respected, and left as a heritage to his children a name of which they may
be justly proud.
	
Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in September 2003 by Jeffrey L. Elmer
	
	
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Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies
Project.  Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the
individual featured in the biographies.