Obituary for Abigail (Ferguson) Hardesty: Death Closes Remarkable Life of Abigail Hardesty. Had Passed the Age of Four Score Ten Years. Born in Pennsylvania in 1818 (incorrect). Resided in Ogle County Fifty-six years - Funeral Attended by Son Aged Seventy-one Years - Burial Made at Washington Grove Cemetery.

Abigail Ferguson was born in Pennsylvania Dec. 24, 1818 (incorrect), and was one of the youngest of seven children Her father was a Methodist minister. She also accepted the Christian religion according to that doctrine when quite young. At the age of twelve years, with her parents, brothers and sisters, she came to Coshocton Co., OH, where she became acquainted with her husband, Daniel Hardesty, whom she married on Christmas Day, 1836 To this union eleven children were born, all of whom are living except two, Reason and Daniel. Her sisters and brothers all preceded her in death, also her husband who died nearly fifteen years ago.

In the spring of the year 1852, she and her husband, with their family of eight children, emigrated to Ogle County, where she resided at the time of her death. She reared a large family through many trials, privations and hardships, and watched over them with a loving mother's care and often spoke of them in her last days, but only in the kindest terms.

Mrs. Hardesty had been unusually well for a number of months, until the second week in February when she experienced a fall which resulted in a broken hip, and in spite of skillful surgical aid and the best care that could be given, she gradually failed and death came to her March 15, 1909, after nearly five weeks of suffering. She died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Clinton Bemis of Nashua, where she had made her home for almost two years, having reached the age of ninety years, two months and nineteen days.

The children she leaves to mourn her death are: Mrs. Chester Bronson of Nebraska, Mrs. George Grothe and Mrs. John Dusher of Rochelle, Mrs. Sam Parker of Iowa, Mrs. Clinton Bemis of Nashua, Washington Hardesty of Kings, Frank Hardesty of Lafayette, Edward Hardesty and W. D. Hardesty of Pine Rock. She also leaves fifty-six grandchildren, one hundred and two great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

The funeral service was conducted on Wednesday, March 17, by short service at the residence and at the Washington Grove Christian Church by Rev. Alfred Simester, pastor of Lighthouse Methodist Church, assisted by Rev. Caries, pastor of the Christian Church. Interment was made in the beautiful cemetery near the church.

Thus closed a life remarkable in many ways and one whose years had been increased far beyond the score and ten promised in the Book. The funeral was attended by many relatives and friends and among the number was the eldest son of the deceased, Washington Hardesty of Kings, aged 71 years and the youngest son, W. D. Hardesty, aged 52 years.

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