John Benjamin Hastings Sr. was born 27 Oct. 1827 at Rising Sun, Ohio co., Indiana and died at his home on Popcorn Ridge in Switzerland county Indiana 6 May 1885. He was a son of Amos and Nancy (Howard) Hastings of Rising Sun and a nephew of John W. Howard of Switzerland county. He was married 20 Apr. 1853 to Jane McKain in Ohio county a dau. of Anthony and Katie (Nelson) McKain of Ohio county. They moved to Switzerland county in 1855 and Jane McKain Hastings died in Switzerland county 9 July 1863 following the birth of her 6th child. John B. Hastings Sr. married his second wife Mary Charlotte Muret 1845-1914 on Nov. 5, 1866 in Switzerland county. They had another 8 children. John was a farmer and also ran a lumber and coal oil business from his home. He and his first wife and several children from both marriages are buried in Salem cemetery in Switzerland county. The second wife is buried beside their youngest son and near her parents J.N. E. and Eliza Muret in Vevay City cemetery.
Source: History of Switzerland County, Indiana 1885. Chicago, Illinois: Weakley, Harraman & Co., 1885
Transcribed by: Sheila Kell