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Mary Ann "Minnie" Hastings

Female 1869 - 1946  (76 years)


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  • Name Mary Ann "Minnie" Hastings 
    Born 5 Nov 1869  Lemonville, Whitchurch Township, York County, Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    Died 7 Mar 1946  Toronto, York County, Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried Pleasant View Cemetery, Toronto, Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I05317  All
    Last Modified 1 Jun 2010 

    Father Adam Hastings,   b. 17 Nov 1827, near Belfast, Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 9 May 1910, Rouleau, Saskatchewan Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 82 years) 
    Mother Alice McDowell,   b. 12 Jan 1844, Upper Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 25 Dec 1928, Regina, Saskatchewan Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 84 years) 
    Married 10 Apr 1860  Dundalk, Grey County, Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Notes 
    • Adam Hastings was raised on his father’s homestead in Whitchurch Township. His meagre education would have been in the village school at Lemonville, and would have comprised reading, writing and arithmetic. He followed his father as a yeoman or farmer and remained with the father until the latter’s death. While he had purchased the homestead (west half of Lot 12, Concession 6) in 1851 and 1854, his father bequeathed it to him in his will. In addition Adam purchased the west half of Lot 15, Concession 6 November 22, 1854 from John Stickley.

      It is said his marriage was “arranged” by his twin sister Mary Anne who married John McDowell of Dundalk. The bride to be was Jane McDowell, John’s sister; however, on meeting Adam, she declined the offer. Adam, not to be deterred and, in view of the long expensive trip from Lemonville to Dundalk, simply turned his affection to her younger sister Alice who consented. The marriage would last 50 years and be blessed with 15 offspring. The young bride was never accepted by his mother, which led to unhappy times since the home had to be shared. The mother regarded the bride as a “mere child”.

      He sold his land holdings in 1870 and became a merchant operating a general store in the village of Lemonville. He was postmaster of Lemonville from 1870 to 1873. The “Old Lemonville Store” still stands as a private residence on the 6th Concession, Whitchurch Township.

      He turned his efforts to lumbering in 1874 in Laxton Township, Victoria County at Elliott’s Falls on the Ghost River two miles north of Norland. By crown grant he acquired 21 acres on the west side of the Ghost River and 102 acres on the east side and established a sawmill and shingle mill, both power operated by the falls. The sawmill represented an investment of over $4,000, a considerable amount at this date. In November 1886, he retired to Norland and rented the mills to Jos. McLaughlin. The Victoria Recorder dutifully reported: “Mr. Hastings is to become a citizen of Norland. Happy to have Mr. Hastings and family amongst us”.

      While residing in Elliott’s Falls and Norland he played an active part in local and public affairs. In 1874 he was elected councillor, Laxton Township Council. The same year the swamps were corduroyed on the tenth line north of the Cameron Road with Adam Hastings in charge of the work. He assisted in establishing S.S. No. 2 Beech Lake School which his children attended. In 1880 he contested the government’s right to lengthen a timber slide on the west side of the river and forced construction on the east side. On October 10, 1876 we won first prize for “sawn shingles” in the manufacturer’s section, Laxton and Digby Fall Show. Town records indicate Adam Hastings supplied 100 4x12 13R. maple planks for deck on bridge at Norland for $36 or $7/m.

      He believed in total abstinence from alcohol. It is interesting to note that he, Charlie, James, Jennie and Samuel were all members of Crystal Fountain Lodge No. 215, British American Order of Good Templars, a fraternal order advocating temperance. It held regular meetings with regalia at which spelling matches, debates, religion and prayer were the order. A true Ulsterman, he was a member of the Loyal Orange Lodge, playing dues of .10 cents per month. A devout Methodist, Sunday evenings were occupied with the traditional family hymn-sing around the organ.

      A strict disciplinarian, he was at the same time a kind, considerate father and husband, but he did demand instant obedience and respect. He was always respectfully referred to as “father” by family members. From his wedding picture of 1860 one is immediately impressed by his most notable feature; his determined cold eyes – slightly crossed. Combined with his height, moustache which droops downward and goatee, he seems to portray a pragmatic man not easy to know nor easy to cross.

      In September 1888 a fire roared out of control north of Norland resulting in the complete destruction of the mill, leaving the family without income. It was quickly decided that the West offered the best prospect with available land “for the boys”. On October 1, 1888 he bid farewell to the family and departed for the great North West to seek the fortune that awaited all who would face the ordeal of homesteading on the prairies. He would send for the family when he was established.

      He would have taken the narrow-gauge Toronto & Nippissing Railway for the 87 mile – 10 hour trip to Toronto from Coboconk. In Toronto he transferred to the C.P.R.’s “Pacific Limited” for the three day journey to Troy. On the trip westward he joined other eager settlers making their way to the “promised land” all crowded into the famous colonial cars with their uncomfortable wooden seats and wooden berths. Designed specially by CPR president Van Horne, these cars would transport thousands to the North West along with their meagre belongings.

      The mill was never reconstructed. The land was abandoned and seized for non tax payment in 1899 by the county. A power plant was later constructed at the Falls but is now abandoned. Today, there is a provincial government campground on the 20 acre site which offers a place to rest beside the river and Falls for highway travellers.

      In 1888 the prairies of Western Canada were known as a great lone land. Alberta and Saskatchewan had not been established and settlers were slowly commencing to move westward from the newly organized province of Manitoba. The Canadian Pacific Railway had been completed in 1885. It triggered the greatest wheat rush ever known. Land, land without end, to be had for the asking – rich land that would grow forty bushels to the acre. The Adam Hastings family would be one of those families that flooded the prairies from Eastern Canada, the U.S.A. and Europe.

      Adam Hastings arrived in Troy (Qu’Appelle) in October 1888 to be met by his nephew George Senze Davidson who owned and operated the Queens Hotel. He would stay with him while searching for a homestead. He walked the Regina plains but was unimpressed by the area, flat as a table with its rich black earth, because he observed “it took one extra ox to pull a plow”. Fourteen years later he would realize his error and eagerly accept homesteads on the plain.

      He filed an application for homestead on NE 24-18-12-W2 on October 11, 1888 and immediately sent for his son Samuel Thomas to join him. During the winter of 1888-89 they constructed a house on the land. On May 9, 1889 he wrote: “My dear alice spring has finally arrived in the North West, the crocuses are in bloom the house is __ so please make haste Sam and i are fine love Adam” (sic). “Make haste” she did for on June 9, 1889 the family left Norland to join him.

      The homestead was located in the Rose Valley district about seven miles north east of Indian Head just above the Qu’Appelle Valley. A small coulee and creek cross the land so he maintained the objective of always seeking land with water.

      Rose Valley was described by the Winnipeg Free Press on October 25, 1901 as being “one of the best in the Territories for farming purposes” and listed Adam Hastings as “following that pursuit in the region”.

      Adam Hastings established Rose Valley Protestant Public School No. 191 on an acre of his land for the benefit of his children and in 1901 his son Hugh A. Hastings is recorded as being secretary.

      He and the family proved the homestead by construction of a 12’ x 18’ house with a 14’ x 18’ kitchen valued at $400, along with a pole straw stable and a log granary. He cleared over 50 acres. In 1892 he owned four cows and three horses. On February 27, 1892 Patent was issued. The land was sold and transferred to William John Orchard on March 21, 1902 in consideration of $2,000.

      Early in 1902 with some interesting help from his friend William J. Bulyea, Liberal member of the N.W.T. Legislative Council, Adam Hastings was successful in obtaining five homesteads on the Regina Plains for his five sons: Samuel Thomas, Adam Luther, Clarence Beverly, Hugh Alexander and Robert William Gordon.

      The family moved to the homesteads located north of the town of Rouleau in April, 1902 and established the family home on the NE 20-15-21-W2, being the homestead of Adam Luther who was otherwise occupied as a grain buyer at Balgonie.

      Politically, Adam Hastings was a Liberal; of this there is not the slightest doubt. As a young man he was nurtured in the Clear Grit Methodist tradition of Ontario. A reform movement advocating simple, responsible government and fervently opposed to political or religious privilege. In the North West he revered Sir Wilfrid Laurier with the chieftain’s picture occupying a place of honour in the living room.

      He and his sons were “Clifford Sifton Men” and later “Jimmy Gardiner Men” and were organizers for both. So strongly did he inculcate his political Liberal beliefs in his children that every son, many grandsons and grandchildren actively organized and supported the part in Western Canada.

      Clarence, his son, travelled by horse and buggy throughout South Saskatchewan in 1905 spreading the message. Clarence would summarily discharge a deputy returning officer who was doubtful about his wife’s vote with the comment “any man who cannot control his wife’s vote is unqualified to be a DRO”.

      In 1935 his daughter, Mary Ann, in congratulating her nephew, Gordon Hastings, on his marriage “hoped his bride was a Liberal and not Roman Catholic”. His son, Adam, would “deliver” a Liberal nomination to James G. Gardiner in Cupar, Saskatchewan in 1912 and his youngest son, Hugh, in his retiring years would faithfully and regularly canvass Regina city on behalf of the party.

      His granddaughter, Marjorie Pearl Hastings Guy was secretary of the Saskatchewan Liberal Association and served as executive assistant to the part leader and late premier, W. Ross Thatcher.

      Adam and Alice Hastings celebrated their golden wedding anniversary April 10, 1910. The family presented father with a gold-headed walking cane from Ireland on the occasion.

      He executed his last will and testament on April 23, 1910 in which he bequeathed his personal estate to his beloved wife of 50 years.

      Adam Hastings died at Rouleau, Saskatchewan May 9, 1910. His funeral was held in the family residence with five sons and son-in-law Thomas Matchett acting as pallbearers. Because of his build – 6’4”, 250 lbs. – an oversized coffin had to be used which would not go through the doorway. The bay windows had to be removed from the house to permit the coffin to be taken in and out. The undertaker attempted to collect interest on the price of the coffin. He had specially ordered it three years in advance of Adam’s death. The interest was not paid.

      On his demise, his wife Alice moved to Sintaluta to live with her daughter, Mary Ann, who was employed as an accountant by her older brother James McDowell Hastings. Mother and daughter later moved to Regina and resided at 2130 Broad Street, 2277 Hamilton Street and 19 Crescent Annex Apartments.

      Alice McDowell Hastings died December 25, 1928 at Regina and was buried December 27, 1928 beside her husband Adam and their son Robert Andrew Gordon in the Rouleau Cemetery.
    Family ID F1159  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - 5 Nov 1869 - Lemonville, Whitchurch Township, York County, Ontario Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - 7 Mar 1946 - Toronto, York County, Ontario Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 
    Pin Legend  : Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  • Photos
    Family of Adam Hastings and Alice McDowell, Rouleau, Saskatchewan 1906
    Family of Adam Hastings and Alice McDowell, Rouleau, Saskatchewan 1906
    Standing: Adam Hastings & Wife Alice (McDowell) Hastings
    Left to Right: Clarence Hastings & Eva P. Winter, R.A. Gordon Hastings & Mary A. Hastings, Sarah E. Hastings, Hugh Hastings & Elenore Reichert at Rouleau, Saskatchewan in 1906
    Store in Indian Head, Saskatchewan
    Store in Indian Head, Saskatchewan
    5. L to R: B. Frethenberg, Adam Hastings (1874-1921), Mary Anne Hastings (1869-1946), Mary Jane Hastings 1872-1959), James McDowell Hastings (1862-1955), A. Collins
    Two Children: Alice Knowlson Matchett (1896-1990) (left) and Charles Clifford Hastings (1896-1960.
    Taken in front of the Indian Head (at that time NWT) store operated by James McDowell Hastings circa 1899.
    Indian Head Homestead
    Indian Head Homestead
    Adam L. Hastings, Mary A. Hastings, R. A. Gordon Hastings, Sarah E. Hastings, Hugh A. Hastings, Clarence B. Hastings holding William Earl Hastings

  • Notes 
    • From the research of Earl Hastings

      Mary Ann or “Minnie” was the solid foundation of the family and lived a life of devotion to her parents and relatives. Totally dedicated in her Methodist Christian beliefs, she was the one who became adviser, comptroller and confessor to brother, sister, niece or nephew. It was Minnie that scolded severely for erring conduct including the evils of drink, but at the same time she was always forgiving, ready and willing to assist in times of difficulty, stress or hardship. No birthday or significant event was ever forgotten and she was always at the centre of any family decision.

      Her life and whatever means she had was committed to the family. She cared for her mother until death and then assumed the responsibility of caring for her sister, Janet, until sickness and death prevented her from doing more.

      She was raised and educated at Norland and Lindsay, Ontario. In 1887 she stood first in the fourth class at Beach Lake school and passed entrance exams to Lindsay High School where she completed matriculation. She did not go west with the family in 1889 but remained in Lindsay with her sisters Janet and Sarah to complete her education, with a summer job teaching in Haliburton Township.

      She read law and clerked in the McLaughlin law office in Lindsay and years later, her friend, Robert J. McLaughlin said Minnie could easily have become “learned in law” in an age when women lawyers were unheard of.

      She joined her family at Indian Head in 1892 assisting the family in the homestead work, teaching at Rose Valley School and at the same time continuing her quest for knowledge as a consummate reader.

      In 1902 she joined her brother James and acted as his bookkeeper, manager and general manager. It is said that it was her business acumen that aided James immensely in his business enterprises in Indian Head. She was incidentally not above keeping “the boys” on the straight and narrow with respect to their personal escapades. She remained with her brother when he moved to Sintaluta in 1905.

      She moved to Regina in 1911 and became a stenographer with Howell Smith Co. Dealing in real estate, financial and insurance agents. In 1915 she became an accountant with the Regina Brokerage and Investment Company which was managed by Howell Smith. From 1924 to 1932 she was an accountant with Smeeds Security Moving & Storage. Again it is said with Smeeds she was much more than accountant and literally: “ran the business for Tom Smeed” who daily took his orders from Minnie.

      In 1932 her old boss and friend, Howell Smith, asked her to come to Toronto where he was regional manager for the Wawanesa Mutual Life to act as his executive secretary. She made the move and reminded with Wawanesa until retirement shortly before her death.

      Her last will and testament was executed on November 17, 1945.

      Mary Ann Hastings is interred in the plot of her dear friend of life Robert J. McLaughlin, Pleasant View Cemetery, Toronto.




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