Abigail Ferguson Hardesty, the daughter of Richard and Rachel Elizabeth Demuth Ferguson, was born on March 30, 1817 according to the records at Beersheba Church, Gnadenhutten, Tuscarawas County, Ohio:

Per Beersheba church book 1805: Born March 30, 1817; baptized August 17, 1817, Abigail, daughter of Richard Ferguson, farmer and his wife Rachel, nee Demuth. Sponsors: Heinrich Keller and his wife Maria R. nee Friedrich and Abigail Demuth, single. Baptism administered by Brother J. Rauschenberger in the schoolhouse at Sharon.

The Ferguson family moved from Tuscarawas County to Coshocton County, Ohio in the 1830's and settled in Washington Township. On December 25, 1836, Abigail married Daniel Hardesty, the son of Edmond and Ruth Chaney Hardesty. Daniel farmed, and they raised eight children while living in Ohio: George, Harriet, Reason, Edmund A., Daniel I., Sarah, Emily and Nancy.

In 1852, the family relocated to Ogle County, Illinois, and had three more children: Franklin, Ida and William Hardesty.

Abigail died on March 16, 1909 and was laid to rest at Washington Grove Cemetery.

According to her obituary: 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.

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.