Grace Hartman Ogden

     Nancy Ogden Westerdahl’s mother

Grace Ogden was born in Centermills, Pennsylvania on November 5,1900, the daughter of J. Robert and Mary Jane Weaver Hartman and probably a descendent of John Hartman, a pioneer on the Pennsylvania frontier. 

After graduating from high school, Grace taught in East Berlin before entering Gettysburg Academy to prepare for college. At the Academy, she was known as “Petuty,” and her 1921 yearbook suggests, “her admirers were numerous . . . but she only had eyes for Charlie.” (Ogden)

From the Academy, she entered Shippensburg, and after two years, she was certified to teach in elementary school in East Berlin and Hampton.  In both cases, she had to walk a distance of three to four miles each way.  

On April 17, 1924, Grace and Charlie were married, and that same day they moved into their new home on Liberty Street in Gettysburg. They started the furnace before the wedding, but as Charlie told the story, “When they got home, the fire was out so they had to go to bed to keep warm.”

The grandchildren’s fond memories of their Grandma include a candy dish that was never empty, Fizzies and playing in the attic. They also remember trips to the local swimming pool and Fantasyland where, apparently, Grandma had just as much fun as the kids.

Of course, everybody remembers Grandma’s cooking including her fried oysters, her pot pie with home-made noodles, her hog maw and a casserole called “vegetable dish.”   

Grace Ogden had a deep and committed faith in her God, and she was faithful to her family which she served unselfishly throughout her life. She lived a life filled with faith, hope and love, a life to be celebrated, admired and emulated.  

       Bruce Westerdahl, January 26, 2014