John Simpson Hastings
Encyclopedia
John Simpson Hastings was a United States federal judge
.
Born in Washington, Indiana
, Hastings received a B.S.
from U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York
in 1920 and was a Lieutenant in the United States Army
, Field Artillery from 1920 to 1921. He received an LL.B. from Indiana University School of Law
in 1924, and was thereafter in private practice in Washington, Indiana
until 1957.
On March 14, 1957, Hastings was nominated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower
to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
vacated by James Earl Major. Hastings was confirmed by the United States Senate
on August 22, 1957, and received his commission on August 26, 1957. He served as chief judge from 1959 to 1968, assuming senior status
on February 1, 1969. Hastings also received the Lincoln Academy of Illinois law award in 1969. Hastings served on the court until his death, in 1977.
Hastings was an active member and officer of the Indiana University Alumni Association for many years. He served on the Board of Visitors for the Indiana University School of Law from 1970 to 1977. His charitable activities included service on board of governors of the Riley Hospital for Crippled Children in Indianapolis. Hastings' professional papers for the three decades leading up to his death were donated to the University of Indiana where they are currently housed.
United States federal judge
In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
.
Born in Washington, Indiana
Washington, Indiana
Washington is a city in Daviess County, Indiana, United States. The population was 11,509 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Daviess County.-History:...
, Hastings received a B.S.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
from U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
in 1920 and was a Lieutenant in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, Field Artillery from 1920 to 1921. He received an LL.B. from Indiana University School of Law
Indiana University Maurer School of Law
The Indiana University Maurer School of Law is located on the flagship campus of Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. The law school is one of two law schools operated by the Indiana University system, the other being the Indiana University McKinney School of Law...
in 1924, and was thereafter in private practice in Washington, Indiana
Washington, Indiana
Washington is a city in Daviess County, Indiana, United States. The population was 11,509 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Daviess County.-History:...
until 1957.
On March 14, 1957, Hastings was nominated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the courts in the following districts:* Central District of Illinois* Northern District of Illinois...
vacated by James Earl Major. Hastings was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on August 22, 1957, and received his commission on August 26, 1957. He served as chief judge from 1959 to 1968, assuming senior status
Senior status
Senior status is a form of semi-retirement for United States federal judges, and judges in some state court systems. After federal judges have reached a certain combination of age and years of service on the federal courts, they are allowed to assume senior status...
on February 1, 1969. Hastings also received the Lincoln Academy of Illinois law award in 1969. Hastings served on the court until his death, in 1977.
Hastings was an active member and officer of the Indiana University Alumni Association for many years. He served on the Board of Visitors for the Indiana University School of Law from 1970 to 1977. His charitable activities included service on board of governors of the Riley Hospital for Crippled Children in Indianapolis. Hastings' professional papers for the three decades leading up to his death were donated to the University of Indiana where they are currently housed.