Francis Marion Hastings

Marion Hastings was born to Sarah and Joseph Hastings 17 Nov 1823 at Old Stone Fort on the Duck River in Coffee County near Manchester TN.  He grew up near Coffeeville in Yalobusha County MS.  In August of 1844 he married Harriet J Irby, a native of Rutherford County TN, daughter of Wiley and Elizabeth Irby.

Marion and Harriet moved to Chickasaw County TN, where Marion became justice, constable, and deputy sheriff.  In 1850 he moved to Missouri, living first in Greene County and later in Dade County.  He was serving as sheriff there when the Civil War started.  Although most of his neighbors joined the Union army, he enlisted in the Confederate forces in 1861.

In the battle of Oak Hill MO on 10 Aug 1861, Marion Hastings had his arm broken by a shell and was unable to continue in field service.  He returned home, made up a company that fall, and was elected captain of that company.  With his arm still in a sling, he went back into service and fought with Generals Shelby and Marmaduke in all their raids and battles.  He surrendered at Shreveport 13 Jun 1865.

After the Civil War ended, bushwhackers were attacking former Confederate soldiers who were returning to the area around his home, so instead of going there, he sent word to his family to meet him in Texas.  He made the trip by ox wagon in October of 1865, and he and his family settled in Franklin County.  For a number of years he was a successful farmer and raiser of stock.  A capable and popular public official, he served both as commissioner of Franklin County and as judge of the county court.

Marion and Harriet Hastings had seven children.  Their only son, William, died young.  Their daughters were Corrine Banister, Sophia Parnell, Anna Thompson, Nannie McGill, Medandie Lawson, and Sally Jones.  Harriet died 3 May 1896, and Captain Hastings died 25 Apr 1905.  An official state historical marker identifies his grave in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

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