William W. Hastings was born December 31, 1866, at Benton County, Arkansas, the second son of W. Yell Hastings a white man and Lue J. Stover, daughter of John Stover, who married a Ward (a family well known among the Cherokees.). William attended the neighborhood schools until 1882, and then entered the national male seminary, where he graduated in 1884. Soon afterwards he became a teacher of the Bulliard School, Delaware district, and after one year at that point, went to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1885, for twelve months. Returning in 1886, he took charge of Sager School, same district, for one year, and then returned to Nashville, Tennessee, where he took a literary course. He then commenced the study of law, graduating in 1889. He was one of the four first students, and therefore contested for the collegiate debate prize, which he won. On his return to the Cherokee Nation, he was appointed principal teacher of the orphan asylum, and in the fall of 1890, a member of the board of education. This office was abolished by an act of council, January 3, 1891, and the office of superintendent of education was created instead, which Mr. Hastings was called upon to fill. November 24, 1891, Mr. Hastings was elected by the national council as attorney general of the Cherokee Nation. In 1890 he associated himself with Messrs. Boudinot & Thompson, in the profession of law, and their office is situated in the bank building, at Tahlequah. Mr. Hastings has an improved farm of 250 acres in Delaware district, which he rents to tenant farmers. In height, Mr. Hastings is five feet ten inches, and weighs 140 pounds. He is a gentleman of courteous manners and pleasant address, with an education far above the average, and bids fair at an early day to shine in his profession. Mr. Hastings took an active part in the last campaign for the Downing party, and made some stirring speeches throughout the country during the contest.
