Z. S. (Zachariah Simpson) Hastings

Born in 1822 and later known as Rev. Z. S. Hastings, he is best remembered for Autobiography of Z. S. Hastings, a memoir made widely available through Project Gutenberg. The book presents his own account of a long life centered on religion, family, education, and public-minded work.

Available records describe him as a longtime Kansas resident associated with Effingham, where he was remembered not only as a minister but also as a farmer, educator, and statesman. That combination of roles helps explain the appeal of his writing: it is not just a personal memoir, but also a window into the values and routines of a developing Midwestern community.

Reliable online sources for Hastings are limited, and I could not confirm a clear portrait photograph suitable for use here. Even so, his autobiography remains a useful and engaging primary-source glimpse into the life of a nineteenth-century American preacher and pioneer settler.