Harriet Akins

HARDESTY (1789 - 1888) Harriet, the oldest of Edmund's children was born in Maryland May 11, 1789 and died October 31, 1888. We wonder who her mother was, as her father did not marry Ruth Chaney until 1792.

Her first husband, whom she married ca 1805 when she was but seventeen, was also a Hardesty, so her first five children had the name of Hardesty. After losing her first husband, she remarried in 1829 to James Akins, Coshocton Co., Ohio. She, her husband, and family were the first of the Hardesty clan to come to Illinois. They settled at Washington Grove in 1835. We can only guess what her pioneer life was like. From an Ogle County History we read a record of another woman who came the same year. "We left Ohio and came to Lafayette Grove the fall of 1835. We traveled by wagons and most of the way I rode horseback, frequently carried my younger sister on the horse with me. There were three cabins along the Grove when we arrived. We lived in a log cabin of one room. We had no floor for about a month. Finally a puncheon floor was made. A stick and mud chimney was built on the outside of cabin. Our nearest market was Chicago (90 miles) where all grain and produce was taken by wagon. I spun and wove the clothing as well as bedspreads and other necessary articles used by my family. I made by hand a fine thread lace for trimming."

Among early improvements made in Washington Grove was a saw mill built by the Akins family. Samuel Akins and Richard Hardesty, (Harriet's son) ran it for some time. Harriett and her husband were devout Methodists. The first Methodist Episcopal church in Washington Grove was organized in November 1835, and the first religious services were held in their home. Their names are listed among those who attended the first Methodist classes in Lafayette Grove. James Akins died 9 Oct. 1849, age 63 years and left Harriet with a family, the youngest one but two years of age. Harriet carried on for nearly fifty years. The land on which she helped to build the first log cabin was acquired from the government May 1, 1843, in her name. What a long and useful life she lived! A remarkable woman and we are proud to list her first in this Genealogy.

 Obituary of HARRIET HARDESTY AKINS, died 31 October 1888, age 99 years, at the residence of Mr. Thomas Tilton in Pine Rock Township, Ogle County, 31 October 1888. "Mrs. Akins was born in the state of Maryland in 1789, and when quite young came with her father to Ohio and settled in Coshocton County. At that time it was a vast wilderness, infested with roving bands of Indians. Here, amid the beauty and sublime city of the wilderness she spent the years of her girlhood, and when about 17years of age was united in marriage to Mr. M. Hardesty. After remaining in Ohio a few years, herself and family, immigrated to Indianapolis, Indiana, their only means of conveyance being an ox team and wagon. She remained in Indiana about two years, during which time her husband and one child died. Amidst this deep sorrow she resolved to return to Ohio, and started for Columbus with four children --her conveyance an ox team and wagon. After traveling several days she came to what is known as the "Black Swamp" - here she came to wait and was obligated to remain until her father could send her assistance. After reaching the home of her father she remained with him until she married Samuel Akins. 'In 1835, she and her family immigrated to Ogle County, Illinois, and located at Washington Grove. She has always lived where she built her first log cabin. She was the mother of twelve children, of which only three are now living. She retained her power of both body and mind until her last sickness and died as she lived - a Christian. She was a long honored member of the M. E. Church and aided in the building of the first pioneer chapel at Washington Grove. Mrs. Akins was at the time of her death evidently the oldest person in Ogle County and the first settler on the east side of Rock River. How strange that we had so recently one among us whose life was so near parallel with the life of the nation. She was born in the first year of the administration of George Washington and has lived under administration of all the Presidents from George Washington to Grover Cleveland. She saw the nation grow from three million to sixty million people. The funeral services took place at the Christian Church at Washington Grove, the sermon by Rev. Bassett of Ashton, assisted by Rev. Barton Cartwright of Oregon, Illinois. Her aged and venerable form was borne to its last resting place by the hands of old settlers who had shared with her the trials of pioneer life. Sweet be thy rest. " F. B. Ralph  

From the abstract to the land which Nels Grover now owns, we have learned the following: HARRIET HARDESTY AKINS acquired the land from the United States government during the John Tyler administration, May 1, 1843 at Dixon, Illinois. Richard Hardesty and his wife Sarah sold this farm to William Hardesty on 23 May 1850. William Hardesty died in 1874. He left his farm to his wife, Clarrisa, his daughter, Dora Drummond, and his two sons, William Henry and Charles. The farm was sold to Thomas Tilton on March 5, 1889.

EDMUND HARDESTY DESCENDANTS From the Book:HARDESTY GENEALOGY 1600-1985 Library of Congress Catalog No. 77-670086 and 85-70971Compiled by: Hamilton and Ina Cross Gladys Dietz Eva Stroh Printed by: (1st Printing) The Republican-Reporter Corp. Oregon, Illinois 61061 (Revised printing) The Anundsen Publishing Co. 108 Washington Street Decorah, Iowa 52101."

Harriet married a cousin, Madison Hardesty on February 8, 1808 in Maryland. They had five children: Samuel born in Maryland, and Richard, Elizabeth, Susannah and William, all born in Coshocton County, Ohio. The family relocated to Coshocton County, Ohio in 1811. Harriet's husband, Madison, died between 1824-1829.

Harriet married James Akins on December 31, 1829 in Coshocton County, Ohio. They had two children: James, born in Ohio, and Nancy Jane, born in Pine Rock Township, Ogle County, Illinois. Harriet was the first of Edmond Hardesty's children to relocate in Ogle County, Illinois.

Her husband, James, died on October 19, 1849, and was laid to rest at Chapel Hill Cemetery in Washington Grove. Harriet raised her family and resided for nearly fifty more years. She died at the home of her daughter on November 1,1888, and was buried alongside her husband in Chapel Hill Cemetery.

According to local and Hardesty family history, Harriet and her husband were devout Methodists. The first Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington Grove was organized in November 1835, and the first religious services were held in their home. Their names are listed among those who attended the first Methodist classes in Lafayette Grove.

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